Capturing Sunflower Moments
Sunflowers have a way of calling us to them, wanting us to take photos of them either a field of them or along with our loved ones. Often you can find a photographer who is offering mini sessions with sunflowers. However, if you would like to try this one on your own or if you are new to photography, here are a few tips & tricks for you to try.
Discovering the Sunflowers
Sunflowers can be found growing all over the world! Many farmers use this crop as a time to bring people to their farms as a money venture, hopefully you can find a farm near you that welcomes visitors to photograph. Most sunflower fields are generally privately owned and often charge an entrance fee. Please do not just pop into a field and take photos, you are trespassing and it is very disrespectful. Often if you stop and ask, they farmer may welcome you to an area that is visitor friendly. Larger farms will often host festivals. You may need to schedule early and purchase tickets.
My local sunflower field offers a mini festival that includes, music, food, playground, petting zoo and fireworks. Needless to say, the tickets sell out quickly. You can google to see what if any farms are near you.
The United States offers wide range of growing season in the summer depending where you live. West Coast generally sees their peak blooms in June while East Coast varies from July to August. Some of the warmer locations can go straight through to fall. The blooming season per region lasts about 2-3 weeks. If you happen to live in the UK, you will find that their blooming season is normally August.
In the UK they are normally open in August for around 2-3 weeks. With Australia and New Zealand having different months for summer, you can find the sunflower fields a bloom during their mid to late summer months; January through March.
What to Bring
Now that you have located the field and you have your family (or clients) ready to go, please take a moment to gather your equipment and supplies. One thing to remember is that sunflower fields are HOT! There is very little shade and they bloom in the heat of the summer normally.
Please take a moment and prepare for you and the people that will be joining you.
- Water
- Light Snack
- Camera - whichever one fits you best. Remember the best camera is the one you have with you.
- Lenses - if you are using a camera that allows for different lenses, think about what type of images you would like to achieve. (True story: I took my camera and only and 85mm lens because, well I was going to shoot portraits, but in reality, found myself hating that I did not bring my 50mm or even better my 24-70mm). I recommend either the following lenses for family shoots : 35mm, 50mm and/or 24-70 lens. The wider focal length the better.
- Umbrella - preferably one that will coordinate with the scenery. Great for shade and a photography prop. Here is one I have used in the past: Sunflower Umbrella
- Wagon - not only to put your stuff in while moving one area to the next, but also to hold your client's belongings so they aren't getting dirty.
- Scissors - only if the field you are visiting allows for you to cut your own, please bring scissors. There is no tougher flower stem than a sunflower.
- Basket - to carry the cut sunflowers if you are indeed allowed to cut them.
- Vase - here again only if the farm is allowing for you to take some home with you. Often if they do, they will also sell containers but do not bet on it.
You may find this to be a lot, but trust me, you will be glad you brought it along.
Best Time to Capture Images
Like most outdoor shoots, I recommend "The Golden Hour". That special time of the day that comes in the morning an hour after sunrise and in the evening an hour before sunset. But as you can imagine, that time is not always going to be available to you because either the fields won't be open or its just too late or early to get there.
If at all possible, try to avoid the middle of the day. The sun is extremely hot, harsh and honestly, contrary to popular belief by non photographers it is not the best time to get the perfect images. Instead, go when the sun is lower in the sky, so you can put it behind your subject and avoid harsh light shadows falling on them.
Ideally, we would all be graced with lovely blue skies, fluffy white clouds and full bloom sunflower fields. Unfortunately, Mother Nature can change her mind before we know it, whatever she has in store for you, just enjoy and get your shot!
Camera Settings
As with every image, you can not determine the camera setting prior to seeing the set. Ask yourself the following, "Do I want to...
- Shoot with narrow or wide aperture
- Freeze motion or blur the action
You are the artist, but if shooting for a client, remember they are the ones paying and you need to deliver quality images to them. For client work I normally shoot with a wider aperture allowing for the image to be blurred, however, with a special shoot such as a sunflower shoot, you may choose to go a bit narrower so that the sunflowers will be showcased as well as your beautiful clients. With this in mind, try setting your aperture between f/4 to f/8. As for shutter, it tends to be best for clients to freeze the subject so go with a higher shutter at least 125. Then there is the last bit of the exposure triangle, the ISO. I am a fan to shot at the lowest ISO as possible if I can achieve what I want. Normally for outdoors, I start with it at ISO 100 trying not to exceed ISO 400, but if super cloudy and low light you may want to push you ISO higher to get the final results you are seeking.
You can look at my previous blog that I recently loaded to this website: Exposure Triangle - What is it all about?
Capture Angles & Details
Remembering to make the sunflowers the star of the show, if that was you intention, include the details. Be the details of the flower or your client.
You can shoot low, you can shoot high, you can include the sky or just the lines of the field. Remember to move with your camera, don't just shoot from the same height or orientation.
If you want to take any shots of your subjects sitting on the ground, please consider adding to your list of bring alongs, a blanket. Trust me the field will either be dusty or muddy, either way, you do not want anyone sitting in it. You can always grab a rustic chair to add to you "what to bring" list. I have used a rustic suitcase for this as well.
Just Enjoy Yourself
Remember, no matter what Mother Nature throws at you or what your client has in store for you - enjoy what you have in front of you.
The weather could be bad or the client cancels, no problem you have a beautiful landscape in front of you...Capture it and Enjoy!
