Photographing Cherry Blossoms – Camera Tips

Cherry Blossoms, Blue Skies, 18-55mm standard lens

Aaaah, is there a more inviting sight on an early spring day? A canopy of cherry blossoms backed by powder blue skies! This photo was captured during the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival during the past week. I used the free software Fotosketcher to create an oil paint effect in this photo.

I have received a number of emails asking for my camera recommendations for shooting cherry blossom photos. Typically, the most flexibility, and best image quality, are found in DSLR cameras. A DSLR (digital single lens reflex camera) is basically any camera that has interchangeable lenses. You can find budget priced DSLR cameras from Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Pentax and Sony in the $500 range. They are all capable of producing excellent images. Buy the model that appeals to you most. I have used cameras from all of these manufacturers. Frankly, I can shoot a good photo with any of them. So don’t labor over online camera reviews and comparisons too much. Just buy what you like.

Generally, there is one feature I consider essential (which all budget DSLR models currently offer) to modern DSLR cameras. Image Stabilization (also known as Vibration Reduction) is a highly useful feature that will allow you to get sharp photos in challenging light conditions that normally would demand a tripod. Some camera makers put this feature in lenses, other put it into the camera body. The important thing is to have it available in the camera / lens combination that you use.

Cherry Blossoms In The Rain - Canon 50-250mm lens

I recommend buying a budget DSLR model camera with the kit lens (typically 18-55mm), and either a 50-200mm, 50-250mm or 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens. Typically each manufacturer offers a telephoto zoom lens in this range as part of a 2 lens kit (the standard 18-55mm kit lens and one zoom telephoto lens) for a good package price. This is the perfect combination for great cherry blossom photos. You can shoot beautiful wide angle landscapes with the 18-55mm kit lens and stunning close-up photos and details with the telephoto zoom lens. Having Image Stabilization or Vibration Reduction available on both lenses insures that you will have plenty of sharp photos without a tripod.

Fundamentally, that is all you need! Now that you have the equipment, the best investment you can make is learning how to use your camera and lenses. A fast way to get up to speed is to sign up for a one day seminar with a pro photographer. Typically, pros offer hands-on training shooting the subjects you want to master. For example, The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival offered a morning training seminar with a pro photographer this past Saturday (I hope it was not cancelled due to rain). Many pro photographers and local photography schools and camera shops offer hands-on workshops in the spring that teach you how to shoot great photos of cherry blossoms and other flowers. Join one, they are typically inexpensive and will quickly show you how to get the best from your equipment.

Beyond that, there are plenty of online training videos and web sites. Also, your camera manufacturer most likely offers online or DVD tutorials that you can take advantage of. Above all, take plenty of photos! Have fun shooting!

The photos above were photographed with the Canon Rebel XS (a discontinued budget DSLR camera that typically sold for $499. (US), and the Canon 50-250mm IS zoom lens (typically priced arounf $200 (US).