Shooting Blubonnets

[roxie]

Hi All!
Decided to venture out of lurker land.......totally newbie and amateur. I'm looking for your best tips on getting good shots of bluebonnets. I have tons of humdrum pictures of bluebonnets, taken over many years with different cameras, mostly shot with the programmed settings. (Many with my son through the years frowning because his mother is making him sit in the bluebonnets again!) How about some of your best tips on getting some dynomite photos? I have a Canon EOS 400D with the lens that came with it (EFS 18-55) and a EF 75-300 (1:4-5.6), also have a tripod. Any ideas you'd like to share will be greatly appreciated. Am planning to venture out tomorrow. I am planning to go on 105 from Conroe to Navasota, that was a good area last year. Any other suggestions?

[PEC]

that area is historically good - try over by Whitehall too.

My recommendation is either isolate or take the time to work a strong composition... all the normal rules apply - leading lines, rule of thirds, etc. ask your self what are you trying to communicate with the shot - this kinda depends on weather and such - don't be afraid to shot them right before a storm with big dark heavy clouds - hmmm, I like that idea all i need is the storm and I'm logging off to go shoot :)

also shoot early morning or sunset timeframe... normally early morning is less windy (in my limited experience)

you can use fences and longhorn cattle to make the shot a tad more interesting.

if including the sky watch out for contrails (the white line of gases that trail jet airplanes)

There is a ton of good info on shooting wildflower on the web. Most of all have fun!

[roxie]

Thanks!

[venchka]

Be very careful.........
The Hwy 6 right of way between Brenham & Navasota is ALIVE! with flowers. The side roads may be too.
Want Un humdrum photos? Get closer. Get on the ground. Get up close & personal with the flowers.
Good luck.

[roxie]

Thanks for the tips. Now just hope it doesn't rain!

[BCPhoto]

Are the blues finally out at the Old Baylor site? I've heard they aren't doing so well this year.

[Noel Hankamer]

Get in close! You might even find an intruder!

[arich]

Andrew Richardson Photography | Bluebonnets
that's my bb gallery from last year

[Txmason]

Hi there!

I would suggest getting close and low to the ground. Whether you elect to keep your camera on a tripod or handheld is up to you. I would suggest trying Manual setting with an ISO of 400 an Apeture F stop of 5.6 to 8.0 and a shutter speed of 1/60 a second. If your out towards Montgomery there are a few good spots. I'm on Lake Conroe.

Best,
Jerry

[jeffclow]

+1 on the advice of getting low and closer.....and also experiment with different aperture settings. From f/22 to f/3.5 - you'll find that your depth of field can make a huge difference when shooting from the same location.

[roxie]

Thanks. Heading out again today. Last weekend didn't get anything I liked. Looks like around Conroe/Montgomery has some nice patches, just have to find one in a spot where I can park. Not real comfortable stopping on the side of the highway.
Actually some of the best flowers I 've seen are in the median of the highway!

[Txmason]

If your headed out towards Montgomery take 105 East towards FM 149 you'll see a nice patch on the right hand side just before you get to the Buffalo Springs subdivision. Also if you keep going straight on 105 East towards Dobbin sometimes there are good patches. Another place to eat is the Relay Station. Just outside of Montgomery on 149 on the left hand side. They are famous for their 84 ounce steak. If you can eat that, a salad and a roll it's free. And no I haven't tried it! Really the best patches are towards Round Top and Washington on the Brazos. If you do go that way stop in Chapel Hill and buy sausage. Don't buy it at the Place by the Exxon gas station buy it elsewhere. Ask a local where to go. PR you could go to Bellview there is a great BBQ place there. Better yet, go to Round Top and go to the Round Top Cafe very very good. Google it for directions best pie you've ever had! And well worth the trip. The website is Royers Round Top Cafe

Have fun!
Jerry

The Traveling Concierge

[roxie]

Thanks for the great tips. I was out by Montgomery last weekend and saw the nice patch around Buffalo Springs, probably one of the best I've seen so far. Didn't go toward Dobbin, will give that one a try. Think I'll avoid the Round Top area as I think it is the second weekend of the spring antiques fair and it will be major crowded. Agree that the pie at Royer's is the best! Love the Chappel Hill area, we used to drive there just to buy sausage before they started carrying it in the local stores. Heading out on the bluebonnet, already got a late start.