Photographing Wild Flowers 255 



necessary, and I have found that for all-round work 

 one of a light lemon tone is the best. With blue 

 or violet flowers it should always be used, with 

 the yellows and oranges it gives better results, but 

 with the reds it is not necessary and only tends to 

 lengthen the time of exposure. With pink or 

 white flowers, however, it should be used, 

 especially where the color of the foliage is dark, 

 in order to preserve the proper relation of tones 

 between the white or pink of the flower and the 

 green of the leaves. 



Now, after having arranged your flowers to your 

 satisfaction, set up the camera close enough to 

 give at least a two-thirds size image, life size if 

 possible. Focus upon that flower of the group 

 that is nearest to the camera and then stop down 

 the lens until all are in sharp focus. I have found 

 it best to always work my lens at the smallest 

 aperture, for, while this necessitates a longer 

 exposure, it invariably gives the best results in 

 delicacy and sharpness of detail. In focussing, 

 always do so with the color screen in place. 



The time of exposure can only be learned by 

 experience, for it is governed entirely by circum- 

 stances and there is but little advice of value that 

 can be given upon the subject. I have found, 

 however, that under ordinary circumstances, when 

 the light is strong, an exposure of about six 

 or seven minutes is necessary when using the 



