8 Wildflower Photography Tips Using Your Smartphone
14 July 2023
Don’t have all the fancy camera equipment but want to learn how to shoot like a pro?
With the 2023 Wildflower Season well underway in Australia’s Coral Coast, our top tips and tricks on how to photograph wildflowers using your iPhone (or any smart phone for that matter) is the perfect guide to help you capture the perfect shot.
So how do you photograph wildflowers? For flawless, bright and crisp photographs, you don't need to be a pro at photography. There are many factors at play when photographing wildflowers, so we have made it easy by narrowing down the top user-friendly tips for you to experiment with to take with you on your next Coral Coast Wildflower adventure.
It’s all in the lighting
We love a sunny day but unfortunately when photographing wildflowers, the sun can sometimes be a little harsh meaning your photos will be overexposed. Golden hour is the best time of day to take wildflowers photos but chances are, you will most likely find the flowers you want to photograph in the middle of the day. To avoid overexposure, make sure you don’t direct your camera at the sun and manually set the exposure by using your finger to click an area of the image to re-shift the focus. The sun icon to the right of the box also changes the exposure. Need extra light? Jump to tip 4 on how to shoot in HDR mode.
Include a focal point
This tip is best for photos of a landscape or a field of wildflowers, start by choosing and object within the frame, we recommend your travel buddy as people make the best objects. Once you have decided on your focal point, click the subject in the picture and make sure the entire frame is weaved around it. Take multiple shots and choose your favourite.
Use the rule of thirds
Composition is key, the rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb" for composing photographs by dividing the image area in thirds horizontally and vertical. Instead of placing the focal point in the middle of the frame, experiment with placing the object in different areas within the image, changing up the composition can make a huge difference to your photo. This tip is especially beneficial for landscape photos. If you find it difficult to use the Rule of Thirds then utilise the grid feature on your iPhone. Go to your iPhone Settings > 'Photos & Camera' > select 'Grid' and turn it on - now, you can use this grid to position the subject and take an amazing photo.
Shoot in HDR
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range which works to create perfectly lit photos with more colour and detail in both the bright and dark areas of a shot. For example, your photo might have shadows that are well-exposed with plenty of colour and detail but in turn the brighter areas (highlights) are over-exposed. The HDR setting on your iPhone will solve these exposure problems. Go to Settings > Camera, then turn off Smart HDR. Then from the camera screen, tap HDR to turn it off or on. We recommend trying both settings just so you can see the difference!
Capture the smaller detail
As they say, ‘enjoy every moment, big or small’ and like the saying, photography is the same. Don’t just focus on the landscape, scenery shots, singling out a wildflower or patch of wildflowers makes for a great photo. Make sure you choose a good flower and ensure the flowers are tightly set if shooting a group of them. Utilise your zoom setting on your iPhone by pinching the screen to zoom in or out. The latest iPhone models have a fantastic built--in zoom feature, making it even easier to focus on the intricate details of each flower. Don’t be afraid to use with the portrait mode feature when capturing close-up shots of the wildflowers.
The live feature is your friend
When there is a slight breeze or movement within a frame, this is the tip for you (iPhones only). With Live Photos, your iPhone will record what happens 1.5 seconds before and 1.5 seconds after you've taken a picture. The beauty of this is that you can pick a different key photo, add a fun effect, edit your Live Photo and get extra creative. Once you open the camera app, make sure your camera is set to photo mode and that Live Photos is turned on (top right-hand corner), here you can switch live mode on and off as you wish. Hold your device still. Tap the shutter button and you’re done! To edit > open the live photo and tap edit > tap the live photos button > move the slider to change the frame > release your finger, then tap “Make Key Photo”. See Step 8 for how to edit your photo.
Get down low and pay attention to the sky
That’s right, bend your knees and get down low amongst the flowers, just be careful where you choose to do this as you don’t want to trod on the flowers. Shooting from a low angle and pointing your camera upwards can make for a great shot, especially pink everlastings, they can look amazing against the blue sky. Partly cloudy skies make for the best shot, giving an interesting and mysterious look to a landscape.
Don't be afraid to use effects
So you’ve got the shot but it’s not 100% right? Don’t shy away from using the edit function built into your iPhone. Once you have taken the photo, click on the photo in your album and select edit in the top right corner. You can opt for the auto edit tool using the wand icon or scroll along the icons and edit as you wish from altering the brightness to upping the saturation. If you’re choosing to edit your photo, don’t go too crazy, you want to keep the photo as natural as possible.
Don't forget the finer details....
Where are the wildflower hotspots in Australia’s Coral Coast?
Whether you have two days or two weeks, we have compiled the best hot spots for the 2023 Wildflower season along the Coral Coast. Starting from just 2 hours north of Perth, Australia’s Coral Coast is home to some of the most unique and spectacular wildflowers within Western Australia. Read more here.
Can I use my drone in National Parks?
You’ve got a drone? Great, just remember if you’re planning to fly your drone to capture content for personal use within any of the National Parks and conservation reserves in the Coral Coast then, it’s important to follow the rules outlined by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions – find out more here. If you’re planning on using your drone for a commercial purpose, you will need to apply for a filming and photography permit or licence. Visit Commercial Filming for further information.
