Cherry Blossom Time!
This is the time of year that the cherry blossoms are exploding with color - a great Camera Walking opportunity! Here in the Pacific Northwest the blossoms are just starting to emerge, so I decided to share a post that I wrote earlier to remind us how to get the best photos.
Pick the time of day: If you are walking in your neighborhood the time of day isn't too important, but if you are planning to go to a special location, such as the Tidal pools in D.C., or a park in your city, it is best to go when there are not many people around. We have a beautiful area at the University of Washington that is a terrific place to take photos of the cherry blossoms. I made the mistake of showing up a little too late and was greeted with crowds of people, so I made them part of the story.
Look for framing opportunities: Be creative and capture shots through the blossoms. This Japanese lantern is nicely framed by the tree.
Get close: Although it is great to capture the full tree, getting close up shots can make an impact. Experiment with depth of field to get blurred or tack sharp images. I shot this image below with my Lensbaby Burnside 35 to get the blur and swirl in the background.
Embrace the elements: I love taking photos of cherry blossoms right after it has rained. It adds more to the story.
When it is windy you can get interesting images of the petals falling. I haven't been so lucky, however I love taking photos of the blanket of petals on the ground.
Remember basic photography principles: Using the rule of thirds, contrast, and diagonal lines will enhance your photos of blossoms, just as it does with any subject.
Play with editing: Get creative by using plugins to enhance your photos when you are back at your computer. Nik Collection, my go to editing plugin, is now available for free! There are many excellent filters in the collection, such as Color Efex Pro that I use most of the time. I also use Topaz Lab's Impression to give my photos a more "painterly" look, such as this one below.
This is a great time of year to go Camera Walking, so grab your camera and go out for a walk. The blossoms are waiting! We love to hear from you, so comment below, post on Camera Walking's Facebook page, or send me an email.
