CREATIVE FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY – Flowers Emerging From The Dark
CREATIVE FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY – Flowers Emerging From The Dark
In his latest offering, Ray Scott has a different take on how to present flowers. In this video tutorial, the emphasis is on using underexposure techniques to show off flowers in literally a different light. The goal is to come up with photos that have drama, mood and that just look a whole lot different than “the usual” flower image. Ray mostly uses a black background, underexposes images by between 2 and 4 stops and uses the gradient tool in Lightroom to darken areas of the photo. As usual, experimentation is highly encouraged.
When in studio or in the field Ray uses Canon gear. This is a choice he made years ago knowing that he was buying into a system that he could grow into. His go to camera is the Canon EOS 6D with the second camera being a Canon 5D. Lenses used are all L series f/4 except for the 100mm macro f/2.8L lens. They are the 16-35mm f/4L wide angle, 24-105mm f/4 walk around and the 70-200mm f/4L medium telephoto. These lenses round out the kit which is carried about with either a Lowepro Urban Reporter 250 messenger bag for city shooting or a Lowepro Sling Bag for landscape field work. While Ray does more camera handholding than before due to the image stabilization capabilities of his various lenses, he still is a believer in using his Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod. It’s light and it is sturdy. In studio Ray now uses Westcott constant lighting for good clean balanced lighting.
Ray is a firm believer in exposing himself to as much photography and its history as possible. By looking at other people’s photos, he has gained a big appreciation of what this medium has to offer. Ray doesn’t think that “copying” someone else’s style is a good thing but rather feels that exposing oneself to others work can work as a teaching and inspirational tool. With this in mind, Ray has amassed a list of favorite photographers that he uses for inspiration. Some of these artistic photographers are Galen Rowell, Ansel Adams, Frans Lanting, Annie Leibovitz, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Freeman Patterson, William Neill and Richard Avedon.
One of the playlists on this channel is called “neighbourhood photographer” which covers tutorials shot in urban and suburban areas. It’s always a challenge to see different things of interest when you’ve been to an area many times yet this is the best way to create good images. You need to return to familiar locations many times. To do so, Ray often drives by car to an area but when he really wants to cover ground yet see things more clearly, he uses his bicycle…bike…and explores the given place.
Whether shooting landscape, macro, portrait or abstract images, Ray always tries to be aware of his surroundings to capture the best pictures possible. Part of this workflow means he is very aware of composition and uses various tips, such as the rule of thirds, as a good starting point in composing. He also likes to break rules from time to time to add new effects to his photos. Being aware of angles, shadows, shapes, lines, textures, patterns and colours goes a long way to making good pictures. He is also a big believer in “getting out there” and shooting as much as possible as it is the only way to improve and flex one’s imagination. His message is it doesn’t matter if you do your photography in the city, suburbs country, mountains or by the sea, just make sure you do it and follow your artistic passion.
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Website…https://www.visart.ca
Your last photos were subjugating if this word means the same in English. Ready for Smithsonian?
Trying this today. Very nice work.
The spot light effect is fantastic. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent video as always Ray. Something new for me to try. Have you ever seen Harold Davis and his use of LAB color space with flowers? Fun to try.
Inspirational. Thanks
Good tips.
i try this and really its amazing result. thank you sir
Really love all your tutorials. You always inspire me to try something different, something new. Thanks
Very inspiring! Thank you
The last two flowers are unbelievable stunning, but I most say I am jealous of your pictures you made them sounds easy but impossible to reproduce or to come close to the same result… Anyways good work as always. I enjoy your channel keep them coming.
Just returned from attempting your earlier flower shots where you enter deep into the structure – another almost alien world – great stuff on this one too and as always perfectly presented – thanks again -and take care.
Your videos are very well presented and definitely inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
Nice, thanks
Really liked your video, many thanks Ray
Ray – your inspiration is pure pleasure. Thank you.
ps. I’ve just invested in a 105 macro and, oh, how I feel your excitement in your videos. Thanks
How interesting, thank you. I’m looking forward to the next videos!
Thank you for your great video much interesting and value.
Really like your video & tutorial.👍🙋 Thank! sir.
Thanks very much Ray. Inspiring as usual. Terry
Ray,
Great tutorial as usual. I like to do the same thing with a lot of my flower shots. It really adds a lot of drama to them and accentuates the primary area of focus. I also like to use the adjustment brush and color picker in Lightroom to sometimes change the color of the flower. It would be great to see you do a few tutorials on some of your Lightroom techniques.
Roger
Great info. Thanks so much for posting these lessons
great video there how did you create the spotlight effect on the flowers near the end of the video it is a stunning image well done
Thank you Ray so easy
Hi Ray Nice idea, this is a different way of highlighting flowers, darkening the bottom section etc,also adjusting the stops to create the the end result, I do not own a large lamp but I will try with my pre Round Flash,to through the light.
Regards welshman2018
very helpful Ray
Most excellent! But the spotlight effect; how Ray, how?
Your tutorials inspire me.
I love your videos Ray – exceptional good and honest between so many ugly videos here.
Bought some tulips..my practice project for today…thank you…also cannot wait for your tutorial on the “Spotlight”
please do the L/R tutorial soon re the spot light effect………..stunning
Great teacher…I look forward for each of his tutorials…thank you!!!!!
Coming out of the dark into the light. Its really great. Really!!!
Ray Excellent well done from the uk
Excellent video again Ray. Thanks for inspiring us.
Another great video. Nice examples and creativity.
As usual, Ray, you give a great presentation. Thank you so much for sharing your techniques, style and photographic knowledge. Much appreciated!
Thank you Ray!