Bored With Your Indoor Plants? Take Plant Portraits to Make You Fall In Love Again
Indoor plants are therapeutic, interesting and sometimes challenging. Those of us who indulge gain great pleasure from their presence. However, there will be times, especially when the plant goes through a dormant period, when they just seem Blah. Revive the relationship with plant portraits.
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Uncomplicated Plant Portraits
During the winter months I was drawn to this Christmas cactus. The macro filter highlighted the delicate texture fo the petals, in addition to the contrast of the deep pink splash against the white, marking the entrance to the floral tube. So much information is downloaded in macro photography, bringing a greater appreciation for the subject.
Mindful Plant Portraits
You focus your energy on the particular plant. Plants have been shown in scientific research to respond to human interaction. It is an opportunity to freshen up the plant. While preparing the plant you may notice things that you may have missed before. It is a way of bonding with your plant. Plant people will tell you that they believe their plants do respond and communicate with them on some level.
Capture the beauty
There are many helpful videos available on social media to help you capture the perfect shot. Most smart phones will take great shots. There are a few reasons why taking plant portraits are fun.
They stay still.
They are photogenic.
It’s hard not to get a great shot.
When you take plant portraits, you can be as professional, with all the gear, lights, location, as you wish. You can also just take out your smart phone and snap shoots together with your plant, or arrange them in a still life.
It is also a good record of how your plants looked at that particular stage. I had some beautiful specimens, which later keeled over and died on me. Now they are just a memory. The photos can also be used for nature journaling.
How to Prepare for a Plant Portrait Photo Shoot
I am always on the hunt for unusual planters. It is always nice to have a container that highlights the best features of the plant, and is also an art piece itself.
The best place I have found to obtain interesting pots is the thrift store. I already had some vintage Chinese plant pots before thrifting, but have added so many other interesting planters, including an orchid pot which would have been relatively expensive new.
Preparation Tips
- Set enough time aside for the amount of plants you want to photograph.
- Plan your locations around the house. I took my indoor plant photos in winter so the plants could not be placed outside.
- Check your lighting. Depending on the time of day and the mood you want to evoke, you are going to have to get the lighting right. Make life easier and use natural light, which tends to work better with plants.
- A backdrop may be useful. You can get Bristol Board from craft stores and this comes in many amazing colours. You can also use cloth which is a more flexible material to work with.
- Frame and focus. You should use a tripod for long exposure shots to avoid shaking the camera, However, don’t be afraid to improvise. A good support of books, and the self timer works wonders. It is that simple, no need to over complicate things.
- Relax and have fun with it. This is about reigniting your love for plants. While preparing for the shoot you might discover something new about the plant. New leaves, drying flowers, all the things which make the plant yours to discover and renew your connection.
Your Turn
These are just some of the ways you can revive your connection with your houseplants. A smartphone, a bright spot near a window are all you really need.
Instagram is an amazing place to see how other plant lovers capture the beauty of their plants. Here are a few examples:
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