Fuchsia Photography-Attention to Detail
by Elsie Sydnor
by Elsie Sydnor
The photography judges evaluate each entry in the American Fuchsia Society Photo Contest by four categories. Photographers need to practice looking at their entries from the judges’ standpoint.
First, let’s consider composition. Layout is important here. Does the fuchsia stand out as the main object? Whether it is a single bloom, a few blossoms or an entire plant, it must be the star of the photograph, clear and uncluttered. Move in close to the subject to cut out distracting backgrounds. Remove other plants, chairs, signs, etc. Look at the subject from different angles, paying special attention to what else is in the picture. Make sure the entire picture supports and highlights the fuchsia. Lighting is also important. Colors do not come true in a too dark setting. Too much light washes out the color or puts shiny spots on leaves. Experiment with placement and reflected light. A white poster board can reflect light onto a dark setting. Early morning and late evening light is softer and less harsh.
Format is another factor. Look at the subject horizontally and vertically. The long tubes of ‘Fanfare’ fit more naturally in a vertical picture. A view of a fuchsia bed might look better in a horizontal picture. Focusing is so important. Study your photographs to be sure they are clear where you want them to be!
Artistry takes practice and imagination. A good arrangement leads the eye to the focal point. In Class D especially, the placement of an object needs to look as if it belongs there and is an integral part of the photograph. Nestling an object into the plant so it peaks out or seems to have grown with the plant makes for a more fluid look. Cut branches or blossoms arranged with objects on a cloth background is beautiful if the colors are well suited, stem ends are not showing and the fuchsia is the center of attention. In the other contests, where the fuchsia stands alone, it must be in perfect condition and hanging naturally. Arrange branches and leaves to form a perfect background and framework for the fuchsias. Be sure the fuchsias fill the photograph and they are not crowded or cut off at the edge. Remove a few blossoms if they are crowded. An uneven number of flowers (1-3-5) makes a pleasing array.
Technical merit is the fourth category the judges consider. The tiniest blemish or shiny spot becomes large in a photograph. Inspect blossoms and leaves for pest damage, fading and poor formation. Check what the entire background looks like and remove distractions or take the picture from a different angle.
When taking photographs this summer, move in close to the subject. Sit or kneel down to be more on an eye-to-eye position with the plant. Try shooting a hanging basket from below, using the sky as the backdrop. Take several shots of the same subject from different angles, varying arrangements, lighting and distance. Study each photo carefully with the above four categories in mind and enter the very best ones.
Those who have digital cameras may do minor cropping and cloning in classes A,B,C and D.
The new Fantasy Division engages all of the above categories of excellence, but with a “techie” twist. Using photo editing software, fuchsias are the subject of special effects that are only limited by the photographer’s imagination and expertise with the computer software. Even the shape of the entry may be altered to a 5x5 inch square or round if it better displays a round or square design.
Revised 7-15-2008