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Learn with Clive Nichols

Flower & Plant Photography

Flower and plant photography course taught by garden photographer Clive Nichols

Course overview

Lighting is vitally important to all photography and in this lesson Clive explains how to use natural light to get the best out of your subjects. He starts by looking at the advantages of soft, diffused light, then moves on to bright sunlight, back lighting and side lighting. He also gives essential advice on controlling exposure for getting the best possible results in your work.

Meet Clive Nichols

Clive Nichols has established a reputation as one of the world's finest flower and garden photographers. His passion for the subject comes across in every image that he makes. Clive has photographed many of the world's best gardens, including HRH The Prince of Wales's own private garden in Scotland, Lord Rothschild's private garden in Corfu and Lord Heseltine's private garden in Oxfordshire. In addition his work has appeared in hundreds of books as well as in countless magazines, calendars and brochures. Over the past 25 years he has amassed a stunning collection of over 60,000 images which are available for reproduction. Clive regularly gives master classes in flower and garden photography for The Royal Horticultural Society and for the past 5 years he has been one of the two main judges for the prestigious 'International Garden Photographer of the Year' awards. Clive also photographs interiors, travel, architecture and lifestyle, undertaking many prestigious commissions including a calendar of the world's best modern buildings for a Russian Senator, a book about the finest Villa on Lake Como for Conde Nast and a new brochure on the historic BMA House in Tavistock Square, London, for the British Medical Association.

Course description

Join our Flower and Plant Photography course taught by Clive Nichols, one of the world’s finest garden photographers.

Over four lessons, Clive teaches you the practical and artistic aspects of plant and flower photography, drawn from his 25 years’ experience.

You'll learn alongside Clive with practical assignments where you'll photograph flowers, based on each lesson including how to use a macro lens on your camera, how to play with shutter speed, and how to capture photographs of flower petals, and plants.

Choose Expert option for personal feedback from Clive on your assignments.

This course is suitable for all levels of photographer from beginners to professional photographers looking to learn how to take the best photos of flowers and plants (indoors and outside in your garden) from an expert.

Clive uses over 150 beautiful and striking examples of his plant and flower photographs to illustrate approaches and techniques you can use in your own work.

You'll learn:
  • how to use light in flower photography
  • composing images using diverse shapes and colours in plants and flowers
  • techniques to for brilliant plant and flower photographs in indoor and outdoor settings
  • creative techniques for photographing flowers and plants
  • reducing background distractions
  • using macro photography techniques for focus in your flower photos
You'll need:
  • Camera which allows user to control shutter speed, aperture and ideally has an exposure compensation button
  • Macro and Zoom Lens (If you don't have a Macro lens then here's some alternative options: Alternatives to the macro lens)
  • Tripod
  • Lens Hood for avoiding flare when shooting into the sun
  • A white and a gold reflector
  • Sheets of different coloured card
  • A piece of black velvet for backgrounds
The course includes:
  • 4 on-demand video lessons - presented by Clive Nichols
  • lifetime access to the video, notes and interactive class
  • flexible classes - join and learn when and where you like
  • downloadable lesson notes
  • practical (optional) photography assignments
  • access on your mobile, PC, Mac or laptop
  • small interactive online classroom chat online to students from around the world
Time to complete this photography course:

Every student is different but in general we think the whole course will take around 12 hours 20 minutes to complete including:

  • Video lesson: 1 hour 20 minutes in total
  • Course notes: 30 minutes per lesson
  • Assignment: at least 2 hours per lesson
  • Interactive classroom time: 15 minutes per lesson
  • Tutor feedback review (Expert level): 15 minutes per assignment
Ready to get started?

Just add the course to your basket above - choose the 'Expert' option for personal feedback from Clive on your photos.

Any questions? Contact us by clicking on the orange speech symbol - we'd love to hear from you.