Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 14:38:06 +0800 From: nepenth@pc.jaring.my To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg420$foo@default> Subject: Photographing Plants
>1. What is the best film for doing such work, I have used Fuji
>SuperG Plus 200 in the past but it was too slow...
IMHO, the only way to get really good quality plant shots is to
use slow film and a tripod. Not only will you be able to avoid
the artificial washed-out flash look but you will be able to use
higher quality films which yield crisp images.
True, it is a pain lugging a tripod up and down all those
mountains but the results are worth it. In most situations (for
Nepenthes) if you have a tripod you won't need to use a flash -
instead, the natural lighting will give you the best color
replication possible. Any mini-tripod will do but I reccomend
the Benbo model - not only is it lightweight but it can be
configured in ways which are impossible for standard tripods,
making it perfect for photographing plants (especially Nepenthes)
which often grow in frustrating positions. Some good films to
use are Fuji Provia 100, Kodak Ektachrome 100 (or even ASA 64).
Also you may want to try Fuji Velvia (shoot at ASA 32) though the
colors are sometimes a bit too gaudy. [All these are slide
films]
>2. When take shots of the canopy it is difficult to capture very
>much detail due to the sky backlighting and an overall lack of
>contrast(looks like green mess) Will a ASA 400 film reduce
>this? Will flash help?
Try using fill-flash if there is too much blacklighting - this
will reduce the contrast a bit.
>3. Any recommendations in terms of filters to get better habitat
>photos?
Some photographers use a compensation filter for shots in the
dark green lighting under the forest canopy. Personally, the
only filter I use is a straight UV, sometimes with a Skylight
(slightly warming the colors). The best lens I have found for
photographing Nepenthes pitchers is a 50 or 55 mm micro (though a
standard or zoom will work well too). For photographing the
entire plant in habitat a wide angle lens (such as a 24 or 28 mm)
works great.
Hope this helps.
Ch'ien Lee
Kuching, Sarawak
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