by Kerry Drager
For most people, roses bring to mind wonderful memories. Photographs of these classic symbolic flowers will remind you of romantic times or family occasions. And there's one notable event when this very special flower takes on a very special meaning: Mother's Day, in which the images will always be cherished.
Picturing people is always a creative pursuit, as demonstrated by BetterPhoto shooters. That's especially true with outdoor portraits, which feature the beauty of natural light.
A solid overcast sky, in fact, acts like a giant white umbrella to cast soft and even light - ideal for portraits. But early-morning or late-day sunlight can put your subject in a beautiful warm glow. Also, sidelight or window light can create a striking mood portrait. Harsh, sunny midday? Even up the lighting extremes ... by either filling in the shadows with fill-in flash, or by moving your subjects into open shade.
Study the creative images by BetterPhoto members and instructors, and you'll see not only all sorts of lighting, but compositions too. Many pictures offer a full-length look of both mother and child, while others are "head-and-shoulders" shots, and still others are tight close-ups. Some are formal portraits, many are casual portraits, and more than a few are eye-catching candids. In a couple of images, the child is shown alone ... except for the mother's loving hands.
For photography ideas and inspiration, review BetterPhoto's Mother and Child Photos and Pictures gallery.
As for shooting options, roses are surprisingly varied. Try filling the frame with your subject's colors, textures, curves, and swirls. Or back up a bit - or zoom out a little - for another angle on the flower's beauty.
In fact, the only limiting factor in photographing roses is a creative one, not an equipment one. Whether you have a simple point-and-shoot camera or a sophisticated SLR, you can record beautiful pictures of roses. Some shooting suggestions:
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Related BetterPhoto online courses:
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To learn more about photography, explore the photography classes offered here at BetterPhoto.