Flower photography. One of my very favorite photography subjects. Add roses into the mix, and I’m hooked! Come along with me on a peaceful walk through the Julia Davis Rose Garden as we look for compelling compositions together. I’ll share some of my favorite tips for creating magical, ethereal photos along the way. Make sure you watch through to the end because I capture one of my very favorite flower photos ever on this particular Photo Adventure. I hope you enjoy!

I used Photo Veils from the Botanical and Simplicity Collections in editing the photos featured in this video, but what really gave these photos their magical, ethereal appearance were Veils from the Illumination Collection (specifically the Sunshine and Glow Veils). Check out the before and after photos below (before photos include foundation edits, after photos show the addition of Photo Veils).

My Tips for Ethereal Flower Photos:

1 | Watch the Weather

Watch for overcast days. This kind of weather creates the most ideal diffused light.

2 | Use a Wide Aperture

A wide aperture between 1.4-2.8 creates that dreamy depth-of-field we’re after.

3 | Lens Choice

A longer focal length will allow you to fill the frame. I’m using my 70-200mm 2.8 lens in this video, but I often used my 50mm 1.4 lens on my Nikon D7000 (crop-sensor camera) prior to upgrading to the full-frame Nikon D850. If you’re limited in focal length, then you can always move physically closer to your subject in order to fill the frame.

4 | Experiment with Perspective

You’ll often find unique angles and compositions by shooting low.

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 70-200mm lens at 160mm | f/2.8 | 1/320 sec | ISO 200

5 | Look for Groupings of Flowers

I’m always on the look-out for groupings of flowers that allow me to frame out my subjects with beautiful, colorful elements.

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 70-200mm lens at 200mm | f/2.8 | 1/500 sec | ISO 200

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 70-200mm lens at 200mm | f/2.8 | 1/160 sec | ISO 200

6 | Compelling Compositions

Symmetry and the Rule of Thirds work really well when composing your flower photos, but don’t be afraid to push those boundaries and experiment a little!

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 70-200mm lens at 200mm | f/2.8 | 1/160 sec | ISO 200

Symmetry:

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 70-200mm lens at 185mm | f/2.8 | 1/160 sec | ISO 200

Rule of Thirds:

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 70-200mm lens at 200mm | f/2.8 | 1/60 sec | ISO 200

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 70-200mm lens at 190mm | f/2.8 | 1/160 sec | ISO 200

7 | Create Ethereal Blur

I love playing with shallow depth-of-field in my flower photography. So I often look for opportunities where I can shoot through other elements, like the surrounding flowers and leaves. Instead of focusing on the bloom closest to the camera, I like to focus on a bloom more towards the center of the rose bush. This creates that dreamy ethereal blur in the foreground and background of an image, framing the subject with bright, vibrant color.

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 70-200mm lens at 185mm | f/2.8 | 1/160 sec | ISO 200

8 | Add a Photo Veil or Two!

The secret sauce that gives my photos that magical, ethereal quality are Photo Veils! If you’ve seen any of my previous Photo Adventures, then you know I love to use Photo Veils on all my photos. They’re exclusive to Love that Shot and work with blending modes in programs like Photoshop. They’re a sheer layer of color that blend right into your photos (much like photo textures), enhancing the natural light. Make sure you grab our FREE Sample Pack, and check out the coupon code included with the download email so you can save 20% on a full collection.

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 70-200mm lens at 200mm | f/2.8 | 1/800 sec | ISO 200

Since the Julia Davis Rose Garden is soon to go through a major revitalization project, I took this opportunity to capture a wide angle shot of the overall garden. This will definitely be a welcome addition to my Idaho—A Moment in Time project.

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 14-24mm lens at 70mm | f/8 | 1/100 sec | ISO 800

What’s Up Next?

Speaking of my Idaho—A Moment in Time project, the next Photo Adventure will take you on a historic road that winds its way up a steep hillside, where at the top I capture a beautiful shot of Idaho’s expansive landscape. I can’t wait to share it with you!

In the meantime, make sure you head on over to Youtube and subscribe so you don’t miss any of the fun! You can also sign up for our newsletter, where you’ll be the first to know when we drop a new episode. Until next time, get out there, get clickin’, adventure awaits!

You’ll find all of these photos in my Fine Art Print Shop, featuring giclée prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag®, the industry’s highest standards in printing and art paper. This combination gives my prints the special touch and feel of genuine art.