Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum, Humboldt lily, orange flowering California native bulb
The Humboldt Lilies are blooming at the Regional Parks Botanical Garden, and wouldn’t you know it?, the one day I have a chance to get to the garden is bright and sunny. So how did I get this nice soft light portrait ? Scrim.
A scrim is semi-transparent fabric, similar to parachute cloth, that when placed between the sun and the subject, creates a beautiful soft, studio style light source. I always keep a small fold-up scrim in my camera vest. I carry large ones in my car, but usually don’t lug them around.
As soon as I saw this group of lilies flowering in the sun with dark pine trees behind them I saw a strong composition. I just needed to soften the light. The little scrim is just big enough to cover a few flowers – but all I needed.
Before and After Slider
This cropped image came out of the soft light area:
Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum, Humboldt lily, orange flowering California native bulb
[…] When you must photograph in the sun look for backlight or use a scrim to diffuse the light for flower photography – as explained in this post on photographing lilies. […]