Platyball is a Great Tool for Shooting Wildflowers with Angie Birmingham

Words by Angie Birmingham
Edited by Eryka Bagwell

The Platyball head is a great tool for shooting wildflowers since you can operate it with one hand easily while laying down on the ground.

Wildflowers are a popular subject for photographers, as they are beautiful and abundant in many areas. To capture the perfect shot, a few tips can be followed to ensure success.

First and foremost, always check your surroundings for any potential hazards. This could include uneven terrain, steep drop offs, poisonous plants and/or Snakes. Wildflowers are usually a road side attraction so make sure you are safely off of the road and not trespassing. Make sure to be aware of your surroundings and stay safe while you are out photographing the beautiful wildflowers

When it comes to composition, think about what you want to achieve with your shot. Consider the rule of thirds or break it like I like to do. Think about how to create an exciting composition. Look for leading lines, patterns, background that will complement your subject. and shapes in the flowers to create depth and interest in your photo. This is one subject that is hard to get your composition in camera correct so don’t be afraid to crop a little when you get home.

When I shoot wildflowers I prefer a telephoto lens like my 70-200 f2.8 and I typically shoot at 200mm to get the nice compression. The choice in the aperture can also make a big difference in your final image. A wide aperture, such as f/2.8, will create a very shallow depth of field, blurring the background and bringing the focus to the flower. To get more of the flower in focus shoes f5.6 and on the other hand, a narrow aperture, such as f/16, will focus more on the scene, giving a more detailed look at the environment around the flower.

One of my favorite subjects to have in a field of wildflowers is a longhorn cow or a donkey. But old buildings or farm equipment is also pretty cool.

Another thing to think about is don't just photograph what you see, but what you imagine it could be. Experiment with different angles, compositions, and techniques to create unique and stunning photography that captures the essence of the wildflower. 

Photographing wildflowers requires a combination of skill, creativity and an open-minded approach to the natural world. Photographers can create truly memorable images by being mindful of their surroundings, experimenting with composition and aperture and getting into unique positions to capture the flowers from various angles. Wildflowers are beautiful and tell a story of the environment they grow in. By using photography to capture their essence, we can appreciate and protect them for future generations. So get outside, explore, and capture the magic of these natural wonders in your photographs.

Now go out and photograph some wildflowers and enjoy all that nature has to give.

You can view more of Angie's work by clicking here to visit her website. Other work features can be viewed on her Instagram or YouTube channel.

Visit the Platypod store to check out all the new sales (especially our Platyball Overstock Sale which ends March 8th at midnight PST) to boost your creativity. Click Here  

If you have a final image and BTS that you’d like to share and potentially be featured on our blog (newsletter or social media pages), please contact us via service@platypod.com.