How To Take Better Flower Photos And Flower Meaning

How To Take Better Flower Photos And Flower Meanings

Flower Photo Tips

1. Always use a diffuser to block out the harsh light falling on the flower in bright sunshine.
2. Try to take photos of flowers on overcast days.
3. Blur the background to allow your subject to stand out in your picture. Try using a macro lens or a large aperture to achieve a small depth of field.
4. Avoid windy days to avoid motion blur.
5. Look at the composition, have you correctly framed your subject? Try the thirds rule and have your flower in the bottom or to the right of the picture.
6. Experiment in adverse weather conditions. Frost adds extra impact to your photos.
7. Make sure you use the lowest ISO.
8. Use a tripod to obtain pin sharp photographs.
9. Make the flower the focal point in the photo, so that it is a portrait. Try filling the frame with the flower and have no background showing.
10. Pay attention to what is in the background, you don't want to have a label in your picture, do a little "gardening", but be careful if you are not in your own garden.
11. If you take a photo of more than one flower, try and make it an odd number.
12. Look for flowers that are perfect, a nibbled petal looks tatty.
13. Try for a different perspective, from below, from above, in profile. Experiment.
14. Use the histogram on your camera to ensure that you have no clipping.
15. Be creative with your lighting. Try backlit shots. 

Florigraphy 

This a recognised science and means the study of flower meanings. The first "Flower Dictionary" was written by Mme. Charlotte de la Tour in 1818. It was titled Le Language des Fleurs. A Victorian woman named Miss Corruthers of Inverness, was inspired by this book and wrote another book on the subject in 1879. This book has become the standard of flower symbolism.

We cannot claim this list is definitive because there is no definitive list. Depending on the culture, quite different meanings of flowers are attached to the same blooms, so you may find variations. This is our list.

Acacia - Elegance, friendship
Achillea - Elegance, Friendship
Aconitum - Beware
Agapanthus - Flower of love
Allium - Unity, Humility, Patience
Almond blossom - Hope
Alstromeria - Devotion,Wealth, Good fortune
Amaranth - Never - Fading
Amaryllis - Beautiful, timid, proud, Determination
Anemone - Abandonment, Anticipation, Lust,Forsaken, dainty
Antherinium - No secrets from you
Anthurium - Hospitality
Anthirrhinum - Gracious Lady, Deception, Presumption
Apple blossom - Good fortune and better things to come
Asparagus fern - Sincerity
Aster - Symbol of love,Patience, Afterthought, Daintyness
Azalea - Moderation, Forbearance, Temperance
Bamboo - Wealth, Happiness, Longevity
Bells of Ireland - Good luck, Whimsy
Birch - Longevity
Bluebell - Humility, Everlasting love
Bouvardia - Enthusiasm
Burdock - Do not touch me
Cactus - Endurance
Caladium - Great joy, Delight
Calla Lily - Magnificent beauty
Camellia (Pink) - Longing for you
Camellia Blue - You are the flame in my heart
Camellia (Red) Y - ou're a flame in my heart
Camellia (White) - You're adorable
Campanula - Thankfulness
Carnation (Pink) - I'll never forget you
Carnation (Red) - My heart aches for you, Admiration
Carnation (White) - Innocence, pure love,Devotion
Carnation (Yellow) - You disappointed me, rejection, Contempt
Carnation (Purple) - Capriciousness
Chamelaucium - Susceptability
Chrysanthemum (red) - I love you too
Chrysanthemum (white) - Truth, Trust
Chrysanthemum (Yellow) - Dejection, Slighted Love
Cornflower - Delicacy, Hope in love, Blessedness
Cosmos - Beautiful
Cotton Balls - Nature
Crocus - Youth, Gladfulness, Cheerfulness
Cyclamen - Resignation, Goodbye
Daffodil - Regard, You're the only one,Unrequited love, Chivalry, Respect
Dahlia - Dignity, Elegance, Good taste, Instability
Daisy - Innocence, Loyal love, Purity, Gentleness, Romance, Cheerfulness
Delphinium - Flight of fancy, Ardent, Attachment, Agility
Eryngium - Independence, Austerity, Sternness
Eucalyptus - Spirituality
Evening Primrose - Inconstancy
Fern - Magic, fascination, confidence & shelter, Secret bond of love
Forget-me-not - Faithful love, Undying hope, Memories, True love, Do not forget
Freesia - Innocence, Trust, Friendship
Gardenia - Purity, Sweet love, Sectre love, Refinement
Geranium - Thoughts of youth, Folly 
Gerbera - Happiness, Cheerfulness
Ginger Lily - Diversity, Unlimited wealth
Gladioli - Infatuation, Strength of character
Gloxinia - Love at first sight
Godetia - Farewell to Spring
Goldenrod - Good fortune
Gypsophilia - Pure of Heart, Innocence
Heather - Good luck, Protection, Admiration, Solitude
Heliconia - Great returns
Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness
Hellebore - Scandal
Hibiscus - Delicate beauty
Holly - Foresight, Domestic happiness, Defence
Hollyhock - Devotion
Honeysuckle - Generosity
Hyacinth (purple) -
Jealousy, sorrow
Hyacinth (blue) - Sincerity
Hyacinth (white) - Modest loveliness
Hydrangea - Thank you for understanding, Heartlessness, Arrogance, Vanity
Iris - Faith, Wisdom, Valor, Promise, Hope, Friendship
Ivy - Wedded love, Fidelity,Frienship, Affection
Japonica - Loveliness
Jasmine - Amiability
Kalanchoe - Endurance, Lasting Affection
Larkspur - Fickleness
Lavender - Acknowledgement, Suspicion, Failure, refusal
Lemon blossom - Fidelity in love
Liatris - Enthusiasm
Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence
Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence, Purity, Modesty
Lilac (purple) - First emtion of love
Lily (Calla) - Beauty
Lily - Majesty
Lily Day - Coquetry
Lily (pink) - Youth, Acceptance,Prosperity
Lily (white) - Youthful love, Purity
Lily (yellow) - Walking on air
Lily Tiger - Wealth
Lily of the Valley - Return to happiness, Sweetness, Devotion
Lisianthus - Appreciation
Magnolia - Perseverance, Dignity
Maidenhead fern - Discretion
Marigold - Grief, Cruelty,Jealousy
Meadow Saffron - My best days are past
Mexican Orange Blosson - Purity, Eternal love, Marriage
Mimosa - Sensitivity, Concealed love
Miniature Rose - Always remember
Moss - Eternal affection
Myrtle - Love, Duty, Affection
Narcissus - Stay sweet
Orange blossom - Purity and virginity
Orchid - Refined love, Beautiful lady
Peach blossom - Captive
Peony - Happy marriage, Bashfulness, Prosperity
Phlox - Our souls are united
Pine - Hope, Pity
Pink - Boldness
Poinsettia - Good cheer, Success
Poppy - Pleasure, imagination, Wealth
Primrose - I cannot live without you
Protea - Magic and enchantment, Diversity, Courage
Queen Anne's Lace - Haven, Sanctuary
Ranunculus - I am dazzled by your charms, radiant
Rhododendron - Fascination
Rose - Confidentiality, Love, Passion
Rose (lavender) - Enchantment
Rose (orange) - Fascination, Desire
Rose (peach) - Enthusiasm, Desire
Rose (pink) - Grace, Gratitude
Rose (red) - Love, passion
Rose (White and Red Mixed) - Unity
Rose (white) - Innocence, Secfrecy
Rose (yellow) - Friendship
Rosemary - Remembrance
Snapdragon - Grace
Snowdrop - Consolation, Hope
Solidago - Success
Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage, Desire to travel
Stock - Happy life, Bonds of affection
Sunflower - Adoration, Pride, Sunshine, Longevity
Sweet pea - Delicate pleasure, Goodbye
Sweet Williams - Grant me one smile, Gallantry
Tuberose - Dangerous pleasure
Tulip (General) - Perfect lover, Romance
Tulip (red) - I love you
Tulip (variegated) - Enchantment
Tulip (white) - Forgiveness
Tulip (yellow) - Hopeless love, cheerful thoughts
Twisted willow - Remembrance
Verbena - Will you get your wish?
Veronica - Fidelity
Violet - Faithfulness 

Anniversary Flowers 

1st - Carnation 
2nd - Lily of the Valley 
3rd - Sunflower 
4th - Hydrangea 
5th - Daisy 
6th - Calla Lily 
7th - Freesia 
8th - Lilac 
9th - Bird of Paradise 
10th - Daffodil 
11th - Tulip 
12th - Peony 
13th - Chrysanthemum
14th - Orchid
15th - Rose
20th - Aster
25th - Iris
30th Lily
40th - Gladiolus
50th - Yellow Roses and Violets

Birth Month Flowers 

January - Carnation
February - Iris
March - Daffodil
April - Daisy
May - Lily
June - Rose
July - Delphinium
August - Gladioli
September - Aster
October - Marigold
November - Chrysanthemum
December - Poinsetta

Astrology Flowers 

Aries (21 Mar-20 Apr) - Tulip
Taurus (21 Apr-21 May) - Lily 
Gemini (22 May-21 Jun) - Rose
Cancer (22 Jun-22 Jul) - Delphinium
Leo (23 Jul-Aug 22) - Sunflower
Virgo (23 Aug-23 Sep) - Daisy
Libra (24 Sep-23 Oct) - Hydrangea
Scorpio (24 Oct-22 Nov) - Peony
Sagittarius (23 Nov-21 Dec) - Carnation
Capricorn (22 Dec-20 Jan) - Violet
Aquarius (21 Jan-19 Feb) - Orchid
Pisces (20 Feb-20 Mar)- Alstroemeria

Flower fine art pictures by flower and garden photographer Sarah-Jane Covey. Floral images greeting cards and canvas prints at http://www.sarahjanecovey.co.uk