Achieve Stunning Wildflower Shots with These Expert Tricks

Nestled in the serene beauty of the northern Gulf Islands, Hornby Island is a haven for nature lovers and photographers alike. With its rugged coastline, lush forests, and vibrant wildflower meadows, it offers endless opportunities for capturing the beauty of the natural world. Armed with my Nikon D850 camera, I immerse myself in Hornby's flowering meadows. Squarespace - squarespace.com for a free trial and squarespace.com/adamgibbs for -10% off your first purchase.
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[@JPHPhotographs]

For those reading these comments I would like to say my wife and I were with Adam and Alister on the workshops Adam referenced in this video. The workshops were extraordinary!! My wife and I would highly recommend attending one of Adam's or Alister's workshops -- they are super informative, packed with photo opportunities and expertly presented. We would like to send our thanks to Adam and Alister for their skillful and friendly workshop offerings!! Coincidentally, during the workshop we, as participants, had the opportunity to shoot flowers in this same area with the rare benefit of one on one instruction from Adam in the subject. Simply fantastic and rewarding learning experience! Cheers!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thanks, Paul! We really appreciate that. See you next year ;-)

[@ciprianpopica]

I find them to be not just great photographers, but really humble and fun to be around people. I would go in a workshop just to be able to hang out with them for a bit and simply enjoy photography and stories. One day... when my budget will agree with me it will sure happen 😁.

[@ExpressivePhotography]

Thanks so much mate, what a fabulous trip it was and we’re really looking forward to seeing you again next year ❤

[@michaelhall2709]

Guy spends all day babysitting clients, then notices some pretty flowers and returns for hours of shooting on his own. That’s what you call dedication.

[@georgefrench1907]

That Nikon D850 is still at the apex of digital photography. Beautiful images, Adam.

[@malcolmtully9399]

"The hardest part is getting up again".....boy can I relate to that lol. Beautiful images and great video, as usual.

[@vietdoan3211]

All the great wildlife photographers like you have one common character trait: Patience. Thanks Adam for sharing!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

You bet!

[@stephenbarlow2493]

Hi Adam, I came up with some ideas for close-up reflectors and diffusers, which I described a long time ago, on a now defunct website. They never seemed to catch on, but revolutionize this sort of close up. For reflectors, instead of using those round photographic reflectors, which tend to roll away, I used cake boards. These are square boards, covered with silver or gold foil. You don't need a big reflector close-up. For the diffuser, I used a white folding umbrella (not a photographic one). Again, the advantage is working on your own, It's easy to prop up, and you don't need another tripod. The polygonal shape, means they don't roll away.

[@phynx2006]

When you said the hardest part was getting up again, I laughed. I couldn't relate more to a photographer. I noticed the kneeling pad and said to myself I have to get one of those👍👍😎 Beautiful flower images the diffused purple image was great 💜

[@davidburchettephotography6513]

Always appreciate your raw vs processed examples. And in this video your light modified vs no light modifier comparisons.

[@PhilT993]

Very impressive! Thank you.

[@ashokan134]

Thanks for the wonderful video!

[@colinbarr2841]

Please, please give us more of your wild flower photography with hints and tips. Beautiful images, excellent video. Loved it! Inspirational!

[@divinerdetective44]

Lovely shots! Glad to see you're holding on to the D850.

[@Catchadream]

멋진 촬영을 하고 계시는군요. 반가워요. 영상 잘 보고 갑니다. 반가워요.

[@stevensakic4342]

Thank You. Fantastic video

[@hjones451]

Called Camassia and Snakeshead Frittilary in the UK - lots of local places where they can be photographed, even my garden. Loved the video - loved Vancouver Island too, visited just before the 2020 covid year.

[@brianmckeever5280]

Beautiful! The image @ 12:21 with the lily in the bokeh ball is great. The one @ 14:15 is terrific too. Good to see the D850 get the dust off it.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Many thanks!

[@blivieriphoto]

Beautiful!! Love your flower videos. 🥀

[@michaelmckeag960]

Adam, seeing the results you achieve, applying your years of experience photographing gardens, on a day with challenging conditions is inspiring. We even have the same species currently in bloom on our property, and others. Sitting idle is the D850 and an arsenal of optics and various light modifiers. Never mind it’s a blue sky day with a breeze, I’m out of excuses. As soon as I finish morning coffee… Thanks for the nudge.

[@seth.graham]

I used a diffuser for the first time last summer and there's something special about having the subject with soft light on it while the background is in full sun. Comes out looking so dreamy, like that image @3:23 . It's fantastic. Can't wait for the alpine blooms to hit in July so I can go out and refine and hopefully come home with a new crop of images.

[@ExpressivePhotography]

The images are stunning and really show your creative range. Wonderful mate ❤

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thanks, Alister!

[@marcstaples9930]

Great exposures and nice to see you out again with the awesome D850. I'm using my D810 these days much more as well and have the same problem with getting on the ground and getting up again 😂😂😂. I also invested in the Fuji X-H2 and want to see how that one perfroms in landscape exposures. Look forward to the next videos.

[@joniceguy]

우와 리플렉터가 있는 것과 없는게 진짜 다르군요...

[@martinoberstein8431]

Thank you ever so much for these beauties, Adam - the colours are amazing, so harmonic…

[@JanicevD]

absolutely love the one at 12:19. the background flower on the left in the light circle looks like it is in a mirror or window. so cool.

[@laurelb8372]

Beautiful work Adam, you are talented in both macro as well as landscape.

[@Xo1ot1]

14:52 is my favorite. The curved leaf at the top looks really pretty and I like the purple + orange contrast best in this image.

[@bondgabebond4907]

Six minutes in those blue flowers look like icicles, absolutely beautiful. I l found a trick using my Sony 90mm macro, a FF lens. I stick it on my a6000 series cameras for a 1.5 crop factor and find it so much easier to get macro photos. I can move back and not be on top of the flower and still get great images and better depth of field control. I got a beautiful shot of a Rosmary blossom, majestic blue. I made a print (8.5x11 inch) and then tell people the blossom is about a half-inch tall. The look in their face is priceless. The world of macro photography is absolutely magical. BTW, it's not the camera brand that is magical, it's the photographer. If I still had my Nikkor 105 macro, I would be doing some macro shots with my Nikon F2A, using expensive film. Dang, I hate the price of film.

[@kieulannguyen1193]

Beautiful images. Many thanks for sharing your techniques. ❤❤❤

[@jimsmith556]

This was great Adam. Beautiful images accompanied by wonderful tips and explanations.

[@MarkNF1]

More than a few beautiful images but the one at 14:56 is my clear favorite.

[@vaschro]

Thanks Adam , a nice relaxing video to watch with a cup of tea . I love your wild flower work and never would have thought of the reflector options, so thank you !

[@thomasphillips5850]

Hi Adam, great video. Nice images. That is one of my favorite subjects( flowers). Thats my camera,the 850, I use the 135 f2 or the 300 f4 pfe. You make it look very simple as usual. Thanks great video.

[@chromagraphphotoart]

I must admit to loving going out in my garden looking for images similar to these. And, although most of the techniques are known to me, I really must get a reflector for that ability to add in a touch of light. Cornwall is fabulous at this time of year for flowers, especially on the Lizard Peninsula.

[@dontgetmadgetwise4271]

My Nikkor 100-400mm is now preferred for flower photography. The greater isolation, working distance and dof are valuable.

[@ellenwaehler8909]

Hi Adam, great photos of wildflowers. I love these wildflowers and photograph them too. Thanks for the informative video.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Many thanks

[@tjcuneo]

Thanks. The comparative images were very helpful to see the difference due to reflective surfaces or direct lighting. As always I look forward to your videos.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Very welcome!

[@SteveZodiac777]

Hi Adam - thanks for interesting video & great tips. Your photos are beautiful, so delicate.

[@davidhuth5659]

Love these images! Well done!

[@user-wz2rf8dx2k]

Great video Adam! Will be trying your helpful hints!

[@Gavla13]

A nice different video. Really enjoyed it. Well done adam. Alao i did something similar a couple of days ago taking pictures of butterfly's. Which was a epic fail 😂. Thanks adam for sharing your tips.

[@susanfirth2279]

Beautiful images Adam. Thank you for sharing.

[@Kramfors1]

A pleasure to watch!

[@stephenoliver7386]

Great video, thanks

[@albertotafuro6112]

...Nice technical explanation, thanks Adam!!

[@MarkRomine]

Most excellent!

[@joanneoconnor247]

Those photos are superb

[@ThePandaPhotographer]

Very nice macro. It's that season

[@yannickjorzik-brzelinski8954]

dope shots! ❤ this is photography!

[@davebryer6133]

These images were very nice, nice video.

[@SloopJohnBee-vq6dw]

Nice to see natural photography and not focus stacking etc. Would be tricky anyway I should imagine what with the breeze. 👍📸

[@fotobertl]

Hello Adam, great comparison with and without reflector. The difference is immediately visible. Brilliantly explained and implemented. Great work! Best regards, Albert

[@rolfforstler4853]

What a difference the medium format sensor makes. Very painterly images!

[@calmdown888]

Had no idea a diffuser or reflector made that much of a difference. Wow was i wrong. Thanks Adam.

[@rickmagri5076]

Wonderful video Adam! This is a great time for photographing wild flowers. I was also ecstatic to see you pull out the d850. It’s seven years old and still relevant today. It may be a seldomly used tool, but it’s still sharp. Thank you for showing the perils involved in showing environmental respect in shooting wild flowers.

[@larsagren6595]

Great inspiration as always Adam 👍

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thanks 👍

[@_andy_gibb_]

Absolutely gorgeous photos Adam, especially that group of 5 chocolate lilies and the isolated camas in a sea of purple. I was attempting something similar with the camas on Vancouver Island at the weekend, although it was very difficult in the bright sunshine and I wished I had a diffuser like yours. Next time!

[@mitchellmysliwiecphotography]

Beautiful little flowers! Thanks for the tips, I'm hoping to put them to use in the Yosemite back country

[@WalterBaliero0850]

Photographing flowers to obtain an excellent result is not as easy as it might seem, starting with the artistic part in terms of the chosen subject, the number of compositional elements, its surroundings and cleanliness, and especially "the attitude of the object", etc. Understanding and valuing that each author does it from his own art, in the cases mostly shown here, I see that - what I call "attitude" of the subject - is oriented not towards "to the light, forward, to life", but down, into the dark, in a position of surrender, of sadness; dying. I insist, each photographer is his own creator and represents what he feels - and I respect it - but in a flower I love to see all its forms: its clean petals, its pistils and stamens, its colors; all its splendor. Perhaps to teach his tricks he should have chosen other more vital species.

[@DouglasKnisely]

I got rid of all my Nikon gear years ago, but could never part with the fabulous 200mm f/4 Micro, John Shaw's legendary favorite.

[@JoshxIZ]

I think you should use off-camera flash if you want sharper and more interesting images

[@yashpalarya7554]

Nice video

[@PeterLariviere]

So good seeing you return to your photographic roots. Okay I know that was terrible!!! But seriously great video. I

[@fotomap5865]

Nice job!!!. That's my favorite photography to do. Honestly I could never use a tripod. I bring a water spray too. The drips make a wildflower bloom lol lovely work adam.

[@funkyuk1]

you can buy an adjustable reflector holder that will clip to a stand or tripod

[@retirewithjames6745]

I need to do some micro myself. Thanks,

[@Harry-bh5dg]

Another excellent vid, I will put these tips into practice shortly, i have a few pics with bees in lavender i cant make my mind up if they are great or not so I am going to try and retake them, and will try and use your advice

[@ThePandaPhotographer]

I'd like what you did with the gold 8:11 nice touch

[@user-bf8cp8ks4g]

I saw your picture well. I want to know which company's product is Diffuser.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Neewer I believe, cheap off amazon

[@ChrisKoehn]

Adam's next workshop: How to fit a collapsible scrim back into its carry bag

[@gayleruble6529]

Always enjoy your content. You have an ability to give not only the grandiose…which obviously can’t be the norm…but also are creative to provide good engaging content regularly. One curious question…what platform do you use for your music? I have epidemic but your selection seems different and more what I like.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

The same, Epidemic

[@furbs9999]

Hi Adam, did you get any shots of the northern lights this week?

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Great video and set of images, Adam. You didn't mention that all your images, except the last one, were backlit. I think backlighting is best for almost all flower captures, unless the sun is largely blocked by clouds.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Good point!

[@juliebaughan7533]

Absolutely beautiful images ❤ I am fairly new to flower photography so can I please ask do you need to focus stack these images? If not where is it best to put your focus point to get the whole flower in focus? Many thanks 🙏

[@QuietLightPhoto]

I usually focus on the stamen. No I don’t usually focus stack

[@juliebaughan7533]

@@QuietLightPhoto Many thanks 😊

[@AndyHayter]

Really nice use of shallow depth of field. The backgrounds on some of the photos have very interesting geometric patterns that make it hard to predict the outcome in camera.. How far from Vancouver Airport are these locations for your workshops?

[@QuietLightPhoto]

You would have to take a ferry or fly to Vancouver Island

[@hikerdude10]

Wonderful images as always Adam. Impressive how sharp you were able to capture the flowers especially at F4 on a breezy day. Any update on when the new book will be shipping? I have two on order and was hoping to use one as a birthday gift in early June.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Unfortunately it probably will not be ready in June at this time.

[@pkpkings]

Nice video. How to use a longer focal length lense as a macro lense ? Did you use any converter?

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Depends on the closest focusing distance of each lens. The Nikon 70-200mm that I have focuses reasonably close to the subject without bextension tubes. Some lenses may not focus that close so you would have to se a tube

[@fossil9440]

Very nice. Have you ever used a flash for flower photos with digital SLR's? I used a flash extensively for flower macro work using Kodachrome 25 film years ago with Alfred Blaker's technique. Thanks for your insights.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Not for many years

[@genem9725]

A zoom lens ?

[@QuietLightPhoto]

yes 70-200mm

[@dominiclester3232]

Pretty flowers! The caption at 2 mins says GFX100S confusingly?

[@QuietLightPhoto]

It was filler. I took that one the week before with my group

[@dominiclester3232]

@@QuietLightPhoto Thanks, lovely either way!

[@frednorman1]

Why don’t you focus stack?

[@QuietLightPhoto]

I dont find a need to. Plus it would have been very hard to do so in that wind

[@genem9725]

It’s a shame that cell phones are the main viewing device these days. Tiny screens and low resolution. Images are viewed for a second or two before scrolling on to another. Photos used to be miracles. Now they’re commonplace and pedestrian.

[@raywu6787]

Excuse me! I think that the green colors of your whole video are all wrong. You might want to well calibrated your camera on site color before you take photo or video.

[@raywu6787]

This video has the same subject as yours. Its beautiful true color make his skill discussion more convinceable for viewers. I hate to see the so-called photographers screwed their works with the post works into dirty colors, and call them artworks. It is a shame!

[@youngmurphy7556]

When I realised this was for Nikon users, I stopped watching. Sorry, I'll never swap from Canon. Too much invested.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Haha, you're joking right?👍