Photo Tips for Ignacio


      Perhaps I'm being presumptuous but I am going to give some hopefully helpful tips for bromeliad photography. What the photo should show are those details that lead to a positive identification of the plant. This also means the plant should be in mid-bloom.
      First, there should be three photos, a closeup of of the inflorescence. Hopefully it would show both the general appearance of the entire inflorescence and a good example of the flower. If one of these has to be sacrificed, concentrate on the flower.
      If the detail of the inflorescence has to be sacrificed in the flower picture, it should show in the habit picture. This picture should show the entire plant.
      And thirdly, one needs a picture of the habitat in which the plant is growing. This should be close enough so one can see the plant, but far enough back so one can see the characteristic vegetation of the habitat.

      And finally, the picture should be large enough so that some cropping is possible, probably at least 8 in by 10 in. And the exposure should be good enough so that one does not have to do much enhancing in the computer. While one can compensate quite remarkably for over- or under-exposure, there is the probablilty that colors will be affected. So, in cases of doubt, take several pictures to bracket the exposure.
      I will place pictures below that illustrate what I mean. Since I have no access to real habitat, those pictures will have to be simulated.


Aechmea distichantha
Inflorescence Habit Habitat
bromeliad
inflorescence 		bromeliad
habit

bromeliad
habitat

Puya berteroniana
Inflorescence Habit Habitat
bromeliad
inflorescence 		bromeliad
habit

bromeliad
habitat

Tillandsia imperialis
Inflorescence Habit Habitat
bromeliad
inflorescence 		bromeliad
habit

bromeliad
habitat

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