#1. Keep it Simple

Cherry tree flowers are beautiful. Branches, sticks and leaves... not so much.

With cherry tree blossoms, compose simple shots. Try looking a bit closer.

#2. Evaluate Focus and Depth of Field

Use blur and out-of-focus areas to draw attention. The effect is called Bokeh. Macro lenses and telephoto lenses work well with flowers by adding a rich Bokeh blurr and smoothing the background colors.

Example: You could focus on one area and fade off into endless petals and color.

#3. Composition - Imagine & Create

Play with the composition. For example, with one cluster of flowers leaning slightly up, the shot will feel uplifting. Find parts of the flower or plant that interests you, focus and capture what you see. You can start with a closeup of a single flower and work your way out.

NOTE: To get pro shots outside you will need to get control of your lighting, the subject and your environment.

1. Subject: Isolate clusters of flowers without sticks or leaves in the background.
2. Lighting: Avoid direct sunlight, shadows and get the light even. Add bottom, side lighting and back lighting. Use a diffuser and reflectors.
3. Camera Position: Ideally get the camera even or slightly above the subject.

Go Prepared. In addition to my camera, lenses and flashes I would bring:

• Tripods (extra to hold reflectors & backgrounds)
• Reflectors (gold makes it look like sun rays)
• Large diffusers
• Backgrounds (white, black felt)
• Spray bottle to make dew
• Snips to trim branches (primp shots as needed)
• Clips and wire
• Assistant

Keep Calm: When everything is just right, the wind will start blowing your subject and each image will be out of focus and blurry. No worries. The wind will stop. Keep calm and carry on.

David Coleman has spent time with cherry blossoms and knows them well: https://cherryblossomwatch.com/