CAPTURE THE ICONS OF SPRING

The season of renewal brings with it a host of fabulous photo opportunities. Jon Adams and Andrew James are your guides to shooting spring

-  Jon Adams and Andrew James

Spring is in full swing, and if you've had your camera mothballed over the colder winter months, the new season is the time to dust it off and get out shooting again. The spring months bring plenty of seasonal changes as temperatures start to rise, presenting you with fresh and colourful photo opportunities every week. From capturing the sudden appearance of powerful purples in your garden, to the splash of wellies in puddles filled by April showers, there's something to sate everyone's artistic impulses.

As well as nature waking up all around us, there's also the chance to get creative with an eye-catching indoor session, after which you can even eat your subject!

Over the following pages we'll explore lots of fun and fulfilling projects that will ensure you make the most of your camera this springtime.

f/2.8 1/400 SEC ISO 100

Avoid shooting when the sun is very bright and high in the sky, as lower, softer lighting will bring out the vibrancy of crocus colours.

1 PURPLE REIGN

Use your macro lens at its widest aperture for a bold wash of rich colour

1 CAREFUL COMPOSITION

Set up your composition with the camera on a beanbag to keep it stable and close to the ground. The idea here is to frame one bloom with blurred flowers in front of and behind it, using the Live View screen as your framing guide.

2 FOCUS ON THE STAMEN

Either use a single AF point, or manually focus on the yellow stamen. Zoom in to check the accuracy of focus, but if you're using a beanbag take care not to move the camera's position while you do so, because your depth of field will be minimal.

3 DIAL IN YOUR SETTINGS