Focusing on flower photos

"Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decypher even fragments of their meaning."

Those words were written by U.S abolitionist, writer and editor Lydia M. Child in 1842.

Today, many nature lovers and gardeners echo Child's sentiments about flowers. Some strive to capture their beauty with their cameras.

For those who want to focus their lenses on flowers, here are a few tips:

Use a macro lens or the macro setting on your lens for close-up flower portraits. Set a small f-stop for good depth-of-field, which is limited when using a macro lens or macro setting at close distances.

Wide-angle lenses provide greater depth of field and a wider field of view than macro lenses, making them well-suited for pictures of groups of flowers or entire gardens.

Remember that you don't always have to shoot with the sun at your back. Backlighted flowers can look as though they are radiating color.

Be aware of the background; it can make or break a picture. Try to avoid "hot spots" and distracting background elements.

When taking close-ups, create your own background. Enhance the beauty of a flower by spraying it with a light mist. Plant-misters are available at gardening stores.

Those who are serious about flower photography should plan to spend some time at a botanical garden, where dozens of subjects are available.

If you are looking for some inspiration for your flower photography, two new coffee-table books can help.

"Flower Portraits -- The Life Cycle of Beauty," by Joyce Tenneson captures the magical beauty of flowers in a new and poignant way. About flowers, Tenneson says, "As a portrait photographer, I see flowers not as mere decorations, but as distinctive personalities."

"Searching -- Secret Landscapes of Flowers," by Barbara Bordnick, shows the artist's love for flowers. Bordnick says of her close-up pictures, "I became enveloped and absorbed by the indescribable color, the surprising twists, the curls and the artful reaches of flowers -- their secret landscapes."