Bluebell Photography Tips 

Get out and about with your camera to do some bluebell photography: one of nature’s most stunning seasonal subjects

Bluebell photography should be possible near you because they are so abundant in the UK that no matter where you live, you should be able to find some beautiful examples of these woodland flowers. Only appearing for a few weeks, this yearly favourite for photographers gives you the opportunity to experiment with lots of different photographic techniques. Here are a few ideas and tips to get you started with this gorgeous floral subject.

Research your location

There are lots of great places to carry out bluebell photography – which means there’s bound to be one not too far away. Try visiting at different times of the month, as well as different times of day, to make sure you catch the bluebells when they’re looking their best. There’s a relatively short window of perfection. Have a look at a few different locations if you can – for example, bluebells growing underneath trees can produce interesting shadows and patterns.

Pick your lenses

You can use a wide variety of different lenses depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. A macro lens will help to pick up the fine details of the flowers, while a longer telephoto length (85mm or over) will create dramatic solo shots. You can use a wide-angle lens to capture the overall scene, which works well if your bluebells are located in a pretty wood. You could even try a fish-eye lens to create something really unusual.

Choose the right accessories

Some useful accessories for bluebell photography include a reflector for bouncing available light into the right places, a tripod for your camera, filters, and clamps for (respectfully) arranging the flowers for your preferred composition.

Don’t worry about the weather

You can photograph bluebells in all kinds of different weather. Overcast skies are perfect for diffused, flat light which really brings out the beauty of an individual flower. Meanwhile, sunny skies can create interesting flares, halos and shadow effects. You probably don’t want to photograph in the pouring rain, but after it has cleared, you’ll be left with water droplets which can create points of interest. Even if it’s windy, you can create arty, impressionistic blurred shots. Why not try giving them all a different go, and see what you end up with?

Get on their level

The best shots will generally be created if you can get your camera down to the same level as the flowers. With that in mind, be prepared with a ground sheet (a bin liner will do), or even a gardener’s kneeling pad to save you and your gear from getting wet or dirty. Of course, if your camera has wireless connectivity built in, then you may be able to use your smartphone as a remote viewfinder to save your trousers – but whatever approach you choose, always be mindful not to damage the bluebells.

Check your settings

The good thing about photography like this is that you can experiment with settings all day long – your subject isn’t going anywhere. If you’re using a telephoto lens, or a long macro lens, remember that depth of field is going to be restricted.

Therefore, shooting bluebells with a wide aperture will leave only small details in focus – if you want more then you’ll need a narrower aperture. If you’re using a tripod – and the wind is still – then you can use relatively slow shutter speeds to let lots of light in, which will allow you to keep your ISO down for maximum detail. Try different white balance settings for different effects: a cloudy setting, for example, can produce warmer tones than a daylight one.

Shoot in Raw format

Shooting in Raw format will give you the best flexibility when it comes to editing your shots at home. You can alter the white balance, add in some exposure compensation – even if it’s just as an experiment.

Create a collage

Shoot wide, shoot close, fill the frame, pick out details – by shooting a variety of completely different shots, you can bring them together in one fantastic collage which really shows off your skills, and the beauty of bluebells all in one go.

Will you be photographing bluebells this year? Let us know how you get on via our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages!