Getting down Photographing WILDFLOWERS

[@MarkRomine]

I feel your pain, getting down low is fairly easy but it’s the returning to standing upright that is tough these days. Lovely close-ups!

[@TimberGeek]

Yeah, I tend to pack knee pads with my macro lens these days. ;-D

[@MarkRomine]

@@TimberGeek what have you fond that works well? Something from the carpet laying industry?

[@TimberGeek]

@@MarkRomine Something like that. The set I have are branded QEP they make tools and equipment for tile laying. I'm pretty sure I picked them up at Home depot.

[@Ceres1038]

With my Nikon Z6 for low wildflowers, I use SnapBridge on my iPhone. Set your composition (use a bean bag to set your camera on) and then you can manage the aperture, shutter speed, ISO and focal point while standing. Much easier for us older guys than getting down on our knees. Alternatively, I bring along an old yoga mat. It's light and allows you to lay on our stomach and get personal with your subject.

[@anvilcloud]

Perfect timing for wildflower photography, and regular flowers too, I imagine.

[@christophertaylor7021]

I took a walk on the #24 trail on Mt Tzouhalem yesterday. It is a very beautiful hike through the woods with Pink Slipper flowers and multi-colored Trillium scattered about. We stopped at the lookout where there was a carpet of yellow, purple and pink wildflowers at the top of the cliff, and Arbutus and Dogwood trees below with wonderful views of the lake and valley. Thanks again for the video Adam.

[@michaelmckeag960]

So much to take away from this video! A Nikon D850 and 70-200mm f/4 have been part of the default kit in my pack for some time, but I never appreciated that lens’s potential for wildflower photography. The Foolography Unleashed remote may be a more robust and convenient alternative to qDslrDashboard which I’ve been using on iOS and MacOS devices for some years. Working untethered in the field, setting up and maintaining WiFi connection between camera and smartphone or tablet can be fiddley. A robust plug and play solution is preferable. I’ve noticed your inflatable cushion in previous videos, but never appreciated it’s versatility; a butt pad, a knee pad, a bounce card, a shade, and it could serve as a headrest if you have to get down really low. And then there are the composition and lighting options you demonstrate, so much to explore. Thanks!

[@elusivelens1744]

Love the colors and bokeh at 10:43. They almost look like miniature giraffes. I think the orange pad as a reflector worked much better at 22:25. Great idea!

[@olirc]

The light and colours are so magical when you get down to ground level, but as you say, it's such hard work on the body that it almost deters you from doing it. But your shots made it all worthwhile.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

I can wholeheartedly recommend Nikon's 105mm f2.8 G VR macro lens - it's a belter. and with an adapter can be used on an X-T4 too. win, win!

[@_andy_gibb_]

Those are just gorgeous shots, especially the trio of calypso orchids and the sunlit shooting stars. Having taken an untold number of wildflower photos on our hikes I know only too well how hard it is to get good flower photos. I need to try the trick with the reflector though - that produced some nice effects! The issue you highlighted with the D850 is exactly why I won't buy a camera without a fully articulating screen - I take too many low-angle portrait photos that would be impossible with just a tilting screen. I wish more cameras had them though I know they're not popular among some photographers/videographers. One of the nice things about the newer cameras is the ability to control them directly with your phone - a feature I use frequently!

[@keithsandercock1412]

As you miss the angle finder on your GFX 100, you might consider acquiring a Nikon DR-5 right angle finder for your D850. [Close the eyepiece shutter. Unscrew the eyepiece. Attach DR-5]

[@joe3eagles]

I'm a bit older than you and I've got arthritic knees, so getting down in the weeds, as it were, requires something like a small cane to get on the knees and back up. But a nice composition makes it all worthwhile. We suffer for our craft, eh? Very nice shots this week. Of the three shadow versions, I think I like the full sun one at 20:30 the best. Great work, Adam! Thank you!

[@christophertaylor7021]

Thanks for location tip Adam. I'll be roaming around Victoria and the southern island in a week and will check out this area. I sometimes use a Canon 500D 77mm close-up filter with my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 to get closer if needed. The bokeh is beautiful with that Nikkor. I've used the Snapbridge app with my D850 when getting down low. It works well as a remote, plus you can view your composition on your phone too. Let me know if you need an assistant for your next video. Cheers! -Chris

[@garymc8956]

I bought hiking pants with panels for knee pad inserts. Then included folding foam pads in my kit pack. Old knees and avoiding dirty soggy knees.

[@davebryer6133]

Bad knees and wind are my nemeses, when shooting flowers, it seems if a butterfly farts halfway across the country it makes the flower move right as I am pressing the shutter button. Loved the images.

[@ZeLoShady]

12:00 A different way to solves that problem is with focus stacking.

[@stephenbarlow2493]

What you want for a reflector are cake boards. The best are those which have alternate gold and silver sides. In the UK a lot of chocolate cakes on these alternate gold and silver boards. Cake boards are better than those circular sprung steel types that roll away when you prop them up. The round ones are are also much bigger than you need for photographing flowers or macro subjects.

[@sh8736]

I would happily consume chocolate cake for photographic art but have never seen these boards, are they associated with a particular brand? 😀

[@charliepackard5418]

@@sh8736 They also can be found with UK supermarket smoked salmon packs...and can be easily cut to trouser or jacket pocket size

[@peterafilms]

Oh wow! The image at 20:30 would look amazing on a wall!

[@KellyPettit]

I love you in Hardcastles videos but your videos always bring me back to the reason I love photography. Besides, you're my first. :P

[@robertnystrom289]

A pleasant diversion! And given the collective groans and creaking- which I absolutely get- it means I'm in the market for a Therma Rest pad. Maybe two...

[@jimwlouavl]

Nice video. As others have said, getting up and down is not easy as you get older. I picked up some inexpensive (about US$5) knee pads like brick masons and carpenters might use to help my knees once I’m down.

[@ibarrabenjamin1]

I did these types of photos this weekend! Now I see your video and it's refreshing to see your images and your approach to macro. I know what you mean when saying that time flies. A few images only. BTW, I have been using the Pentax 645 120mm f4 (mf) with my gfx camera and got pleasant results.

[@pattymattes7124]

I did enjoy this. Thank you! I tried taking images of bluebells a couple of weeks ago. Finding a simple composition among them was difficult and the wind made it very challenging. I love your images. They are gorgeous.

[@sandracashes4255]

I love close up photography. Thank you!

[@DubYahJohn]

Very enjoyable. Happy to watch more of this.

[@badger67]

Those RAW images look stunning out of old trusty. The colour saturation is sensational. I would be in my element working alongside you, but then again I'm in Spain..... Wonderful video as ever.

[@ogopogohunter69]

I've been taking macro shots the lazy way, from standing with my 55-250 on a crop sensor so 400mm crop factor. Handheld with IS good enough to see the hairs on a bumblebee.

[@trout3212001]

Thanks for another good video. I really like the images where you shot through some flowers to get a great color haze.

[@paulkirk5760]

Really great shots and enjoyable video. I have a phone mount which sits on the flash show. You’d have to touch the screen to activate the shutter but only lightly compared to the shutter button. I find it really helpful.

[@susanfirth2279]

For me getting down to ground level is the easy part, its getting back up that is difficult these days. Great images. Love the shooting stars and those orchids.

[@denisesavage2382]

Lovely set of images. Interesting to play with light on those last ones. I found it fascinating to see what the different dynamics did for how the image might look.

[@martyd5819]

@8:10 both my knees said to me..Do Not do that to us! Now I just reverse the center tube on my tripod for low shots. Your images always inspire me.

[@tonyutting6508]

I really enjoyed your explanations of what you were doing. The images are stunning. Thank you

[@MrTwister3356]

Another awesome video, Adam...many great tips on handling the light in less than ideal conditions....plus, you've inspired me to take my 66 year old ass out to the woodlands this morning. So with my cam, macro glass and knee-pad, it's off I go!...cheers and enjoy your day!!

[@laurelb8372]

Gorgeous images from the D850, wish I could kneel down these days, great work

[@ivanstevens]

Beautiful images you made there Adam 👍🏻

[@stfleck]

Very nice captures. I do miss this time of the year in the PNW

[@felicityrostron9406]

Loved these images and the used of reflected light.

[@tompetersphotography]

Really nice to see you doing this type of photography again Adam. Nice and chilled vlog

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Cheers Tom!

[@davebenson1504]

I'd love to be your assistant and would definitely work for free.... just the commute from Manitoba would be difficult... awesome image at 20:35ish, especially the dark contrast on the flower right side of the frame, and I prefer the lightness (tonal light provides emotional lightness too) in the full sun... The photography is 'satisfying' because slowing down, taking time can allow one to get into "the flow", providing you remain relaxed in the process and not stress about 'how many' files you think you might need... 🙂 Thanks for sharing....

[@steffore1]

Great shot Adam and great to see you doing some macro 👍🏽

[@ronboe6325]

The triple Orchid image at 15" was really nice. :bow:

[@wallyjones2826]

Another terrific learning session! The results prove your techniques work. A very timely subject for me as I'm trying to concentrate on improving my wildflower photography. As you so correctly point out, technical prowess aside, at my age the getting up and down is a challenge! Thank you for the motivation!

[@anthonymara4533]

Truly stunning Adam. Your work in the field, and in processing inspires me with every image, and every video. I hope to see you come down to Appalachia one day, I'd wager you might create some of the most breathtaking images of these old mountains.

[@nevillewatkins4997]

I enjoyed that. Makes a nice change. Thanks Adam.

[@barryashenhurst2071]

Just shows you how long it's taken the great Nikon, and others, to catch up to Lumix design features. In 2014 the new Lumix GH4 had a rotating screen you could view from any angle, even in front of the camera, and a focusing point that you could move on the screen with your finger. It also had 4K video capability, a built-in intervelometer, and could shoot stills all day on one battery, something my pathetic Sony A7's battery will never do.

[@stevethompson8154]

I can't wait for the weather to warm up so i too can get out there adn do some wildflowers. You inspire me.

[@jllanesphoto]

Beautiful images as always. Very Inspiring. Thank you for your videos.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

My pleasure!

[@gruagach1]

Nice seeing the Dodecatheon in it's native environment! Here in Scotland the Dodecatheon I have does not flower until the end of May. Where as the three verities of dogtooth violets (Erythronium) I have are already finished flowering. Stoating stuff sir loved it.

[@nickshepherd8377]

Enjoyable and very helpful video. You certainly like a challenge! Great images! 👍👏👏👏

[@yuri_f11]

Thanks a lot Adam! Your works inspire and motivate a lot of photographers like me! Take my equipment and gouing to the forest tomorrow morning looking for wild flowers after 3 months of exclusively bird photography

[@winheiMR]

Primelgewächse, Dodecantheon ? Die ersten Blüten. Die zweiten sind wohl: Norne, Calypso bulbosa, Wilde Orchideen

[@frankoley6826]

Wonderful shots Adam, I love the spring wildflowers and try to shoot them often. It's great to see you do it to reinforce what I've been trying to attain in much the same manner. Thank you!

[@codyrasmussen9798]

We are on the verge of everything blooming up north here! Super excited to take all the new knowledge I've gathered from you and Gavin and apply it this summer!

[@rebeccamoore4177]

Living in the Pacific Northwest, when landscape vistas are crap due to conditions, I end up doing these kinds of shots. You shared some good tips that I will be able to incorporate on my next day out shooting!

[@sophietucker1255]

I love wildflowers and thought the one in the full sun was nice but my favorite was the one with the reflected orange light

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

Since you also have an X-T4, perhaps have a look at the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 macro lens. It's very affordable, and has excellent image quality. A true macro lens that lets you get very close, but also focus to infinity without hassle. It's an all manual lens but that should not be a problem to an experienced photographer like yourself. 😉 Gosh, I do sound like a salesperson now don't I! 😂

[@brianmckeever5280]

Thank you! I loved this video. I love the landscapes too, but this was a nice change of pace. Hope your knees hold out! I like the reflecting light technique. I need to take more time and do that as well. Lovely images. Good to hear that Gavin and you are working on a project, can't wait. Cheers.

[@tonydavey4171]

Found watching todays video inspiring to get me to do low down shooting. Like you getting back up is the challenge (especially as my assistant has the same problem) That environmental place seems so tranquil I can see how it pushes time out of ones mind. thank you Adam

[@andrewhumphrys5548]

Beautiful pastels Adam.

[@shovelrocker7102]

Really like the images as well as this video. You don't always need macro lens for close up photos. 70-200 works great on these kind of photos too.

[@rogerhostinphotography]

Really enjoyable video Adam. It reminded me of the many outings I shared with my buddies in the Nanaimo Camera Club back in the 1990s when we went out on outings in the spring, chasing those shooting stars and orchids.

[@larrysalaets7088]

Great results! You have inspired me to get out with my Z 105mm while the wildflowers are blooming.

[@billonthehill9984]

I love this kind of photography Adam using my ( 3 ) cameras, each with it's own assigned focal length lens & always subject to change when fit to do so... Not using any tube extensions, I own none, I would try shooting these flowers at smaller apertures, i.e. f/7.1 - f/11 or smaller & still get the blurred backgrounds because of the 200mm used here. My f/2.8, 70-200 is on the 5DM3, my other two bodies are crops, currently the 7D is sporting the Canon EF 24-105 mm f/4.0 lens & the T3i gets the Tamron 17-50 mm f/2.8 VR lens... The artistic approach used here with the larger apertures, create a soft, beautiful image from the foreground to an even more blurred out backgrounds on these fine printable images imho... Bill... :~)

[@CalebWeston_dubland]

Love the wildflower shots! Our wildflower season this year wasn’t great. Can’t wait to check out the new site you and Gavin did!

[@lizcampbell32]

So inspiring! Absolutely beautiful shots.

[@doncason6108]

One of my favorite subjects. You have done them justice. Thanks for sharing.

[@lensman5762]

Lovely photography, and with a Nikon. Can't go wrong there.

[@nickfanzo]

Check out Dennis stock’s flower photography, they were amazing Ernst Haas also.

[@annetivendale8616]

Gorgeous images Adam 💜🤍💜

[@BluebirdR]

Wildly elated to hear AdamHardcastles !!!

[@russstamp5965]

Enjoyed this a lot! Great teaching style, Adam! The parallel subject tip I will use. Hear ya with the getting up and down part. Like the small thermarest idea, too. Small footprint in the pack so always have a place to sit/kneel. Every little bit helps!

[@mauricebawden9561]

Gibbs and Hardcastle ! 3 reasons 1 Alphabetically 2 Seniority 3 LPOTY Award Sorted !!

[@RayneDr0ps]

Gibbs & Hardcastle definitely rolls off the tongue easier! Looking forward to that. I've been toying with the idea of selling my RF 100mm Macro, haven't had it for very long but have barely used it, this video definitely makes me want to get out with it though, just no wildflowers blooming just yet that I know of here in Alberta.

[@FloridaPete1948]

No Pasque flower blooming? Or have they already bloomed and gone by.

[@TBuanes_Photography]

Great video Adam :) Thanks for several great tips for close up photography Beautiful shots :)

[@egilryden3794]

I use kneepads on my keb trousers. It is another world. Like your photos, greetings from Norway!

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Good video! And especially relevant right now.

[@Crispy_Bee]

Actually the GFX IS fantastic for closeup photography, but yes - it does require a macro lens (just like any other medium format camera). Thankfully the 120mm lens is great even though it's "only" a 1:2 lens - but it's the sharpest lens you can get for the GFX system, even wide open the corners are very good and the OIS is great when you want to shoot closeups without a tripod. Only thing missing is a tripod collar but you can get by without one because it's very lightweight.

[@darinharker21]

Laying in bed and this pops up. Awesome

[@darinharker21]

Got up, went out and found some wild flowers myself thanks for the inspiration

[@jesusinclan5879]

Hardcastle and Gibbs. That sounds like a PI show. Great video as always.

[@jimrookphotos]

Hey Adam. This was a grand teaching video. Flower season just starting here as well so timely reminders from you. Thanks!

[@ronshaw8530]

Have you thought of using a devise like Arsenal2 ? It nicely replaces an articulating screen. Once you get your composition, you can stand up and wait for the light and trigger the shutter.

[@cbo2914]

Totally understand the challenge of getting down low, or in my case… getting back UP. I love the LCD on my D850 also, and would rather it articulated as in the Z9. You mentioned the app Unleashed. I use DSLRDashboard on an old Android phone. It’s not used as a phone anymore, but it has a great OLED screen. The app’s interface uses a bit much of the screen, but my back is making the decisions here. ;p

[@mortenandersen6313]

Beautiful images. And well explained. Thank you for letting us learn from you 👍👏

[@bv42]

It's both enjoyable and instructive to watch you work through your process. Many thanks for this video!

[@JayGrapherBKK]

this is really nice change of pace to see you do other types of photography. how do you determine how much f-stop / depth of field you need for each photo? It seems most other people recommend blindly that one just needs f8 always which might be a nice start, but would like to know a little more whether it is to take many test shots to see how much is needed for the whole flower and not over do it?

[@jimtrull683]

Last week at was rolling around the ground at a place in Georgia called “Gibbs Gardens” of all places.😎. I am not much of a close up shooter but I gave it my best shot. I like how you used your long lens. I was mostly using my macro and I too had a hard time positioning myself to get an image with a clean background. This kind of shooting is very tiring and it takes a lot of patience. I really enjoyed seeing your result, lovely.

[@larryrudnick1519]

Thanks Adam, I hope the challenges were worth it. I certainly enjoyed the images!

[@Pablo081]

That looks like a perfect case for a Platypod. Nice pictures as always.

[@davebenson1504]

I was lucky enough to have my son fabricate one for me.... and I have since made a few custom adjustment

[@QuietLightPhoto]

I have one but forgot it 😂

[@davebenson1504]

@@QuietLightPhoto 😅one of my modifications to my platypod was to put a quick release plate on the bottom side so I can store it on top of my tripod for easy transportation... it also has a carabiner so I can attach it to the side of my pack when not in use...

[@spidersj12]

You have some very captivating macro shots. Too bad you don't have a 70-200mm F2.8, the shallower depth of field would give you more separation. And have you noticed that you kind of blend into fences? You should create a bloopers reel taken from your videos showing all the times you've blended into fences given your wardrobe choices. Don't get me wrong those choices are eminently practical for landscape photography, it's just a happy coincidence. Adam Gibbs presents "Blending into Fences". 🙃 I can think of a camera system that would give you a more comfortable experience low to the ground... a Canon R5 with the flip out screen works great in portrait and landscape close to the ground. I have the EOS R, it's sufficient for my needs, and an articulating flip out screen has advantages. Yes I know I used the "C" word, blasphemous. You could always try bringing an aluminum pie plate out with you and put some of that clear plastic cellophane with multiple different colours in front of the pie plate to act as a selective colour reflector for your macro shots, it's a cheap alternative to something you'd buy online, and no need to buy a tiny LED light that can do any colour, at least for the daytime with good sun light.

[@Simon_PieMan]

Great video - some really good shots. I’ve been trying to get shots of Blue Bells this week here in UK. Not as simple as I thought. Big learning curve!

[@josephusewicz5233]

Great images! Thoroughly enjoyed the show.

[@frstesiste7670]

Great video. This is a type of photography I really like and the subject matter and compositions are almost endless even in a fairly small area, but it's unfortunately hard on older knees.

[@GARY1951A]

WOW, Adam - incredible video and your images are just fantastic! Thanks for this video - inspiring me to go out and shoot some flowers also!!

[@hilleviupmanis8687]

Thank you for the video!

[@cesaraugustomargato7211]

Awesome pictures!

[@599miata]

I like this video, Adam. My kind of shooting in the wood.

[@Maple-fq8iw]

Thank you sir

[@robert_skonblad]

This was great, especially now that wildflower season is about to start here. I have to get out, and bring a few blank sheets of paper to control the light …

[@JohnPaul-ii]

Can relate with your difficulty with this type of shooting Adam, getting down there is the certainty easy part. Definitely prefer the rear screen adjustment on my Canon R5 far better for getting down to ground level. Thanks for sharing again Adam. Stay safe 🇦🇺

[@pergunnareriksson]

Pondering the question what I should photograph tomorrow and up pops this video with the answer. Flowers! Thanks.