Dealing with Wind in Flower Shots

[photogrl2020]

I really like taking macro shots of flowers, but I have trouble with the camera getting a good focus on the flower (I just use a point and shoot, not DSLR- Pansonic Lumix ZS7, if that helps) because there always seems to be wind blowing the flowers around. I know that people say you can always just pick a flower and take it indoors to shoot, but I like having it in the natural environment for a good background. Also, considering I use a wheelchair to get around, I don't exactly have a lot of extra hands to be holding a bunch of stuff.

Any ideas/comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

[photogrl2020]

Originally Posted by Adamhomes

According to me Macro photography is the latest technology in photography world. This is the best and excellent features that creates a lots of good impacts on the viewers. With the help of this techniques wind in the Flower Shots can be taken in the photograph.

Umm...I'm sorry..I don't understand any of what you're saying. Haha.

[wulf]

If the wind is gentle, you can hold the flower steady. Choose a camera angle which keeps your fingers out of the shot. If you are close enough to be taking a macro shot, it should be in reach and the beauty of this approach is that the flower won't even be damaged.

Failing that, either consider throwing more light on the subject so you can use a faster shutter speed (not sure how that would work with your camera) or look for different subjects on the windier days (tree bark? that's pretty fixed).

Wulf

[dakwegmo]

You've got a lot of options. One that I use is a plamp: Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - The Plamp, one end attaches to your tripod the other can hold the stem of the flower or leaf to keep it from getting blown around too much by the wind. It's not perfect but it can help steady your subject.

Something that I've seen recently, and wanted to try is a plexiglass wind box. Mike Moat, created one that uses just plexiglass and gorilla tape to create a transparent enclosure that you can put around flowers and such to block the wind (think collapsible fish tank). I haven't tried to build one yet, but will be building one as soon as I can find a cheap source for the plexi-. The video tutorial for building it is on youtube. YouTube - ‪Mike-Moats-Wind-Box‬‏

[Saralonde]

I've propped a big piece of white fiberboard on the wind side just out of camera range. It can add a little reflected light to your subject, too.

[crockny]

Some good ideas - I have the same issue and I just started shooting macro ... even the plamp will not keep a delicate flowerhead from feeling the wind ... so frustrating in low light ... yesterday in a light drizzle I had such opportunity for great water drops and had a hard time getting the whole flower in low light in focus ... lots of challenges in macro ... all those little jewels and I couldn't capture them ...

[Michael_2010]

I have no advice, but I am glad you asked the question. I run into this situation as well. I'm usually just going down nature trails looking for interesting wild flowers, so I wouldn't want to lug around much gear to block the wind. Hmmmmmmmm.......

[photogrl2020]

Well good, I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Hmm..I guess I'll try using a piece of foam board or something to block the wind-especially since it can double as a reflector. I'll have to use my tripod for that though. Thank goodness for the "flexi-pod" my dad made that clamps onto the arm of my wheelchair!! Yay for handy dads! haha.

[Cloe]

Originally Posted by dakwegmo

You've got a lot of options. One that I use is a plamp: Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - The Plamp, one end attaches to your tripod the other can hold the stem of the flower or leaf to keep it from getting blown around too much by the wind. It's not perfect but it can help steady your subject.

Something that I've seen recently, and wanted to try is a plexiglass wind box. Mike Moat, created one that uses just plexiglass and gorilla tape to create a transparent enclosure that you can put around flowers and such to block the wind (think collapsible fish tank). I haven't tried to build one yet, but will be building one as soon as I can find a cheap source for the plexi-. The video tutorial for building it is on youtube. YouTube - ‪Mike-Moats-Wind-Box‬‏

Great product idea... I wonder if it's possible to rig one up using house hold materials!

[Doug Sundseth]

If you go out in the noonday sun (as I do for lunch walks regularly*), I'll also suggest that you can use a diffuser panel to both cut the harsh light and give yourself a wind shadow. It can be a bit of a juggling act, though. If you can manage to bring a VAL, the logistical challenges can be reduced substantially.

* Since I'm not English, I'll leave it to the audience to determine my species and soudness of mind.