Leaf photography might sound limiting, but it’s a very creative genre. You can use macro photography to emphasize the beauty of even simple leaves.
Strengthen your creativity and your macro leaf photography skills with our guide.
Gather a Variety of Leaves to Add Creativity
With a variety of leaves to shoot, you’ll have more opportunities to express yourself creatively. You’ll also get a better idea of your unique macro photography style.
Every macro photographer has preferences when it comes to colors, angles, and details. The more subjects you have, the easier it will be to figure out what you’re most interested in shooting.
Gather leaves of different colours, shapes, and sizes. Don’t be afraid of using old or dull-looking leaves. The most insignificant leaves might inspire you a lot!
Take Photos of Leaves Outdoors to Gain Experience
Besides gathering leaves, you also can take leaf photos outdoors. This will give you less control, which can be a good thing.
The less control you have, the more experience you’ll get. This is an easy way to become a more flexible and imaginative photographer.
Taking photos in a fixed location is also great for inspiration. You might find a leaf in a position that forces you to shoot from an unusual angle. This might lead to creative photos and new ideas.
There are many leaves that you can only find on specific plants. You might not be allowed even to touch these leaves, but you could be able to take photos of them.
Visit greenhouses and parks to find unusual and colourful leaves to include in your portfolio.
Use Dried Leaves to Emphasise Dramatic Leaf Textures
Fresh leaves can be a symbol of hope and optimism. Old and dried leaves symbolize the opposite. You can use them to take moody and dramatic macro photos.
If you don’t want to use old leaves outdoors, you can dry them at home. You can leave them to air-dry or put them in a flower press to quicken the process. You might need to wait a few weeks or days to get the results you want.
