You can do it

Using a wide aperture to throw foregrounds and backgrounds drastically out of focus to highlight a sharp subject—or just part of a sharp subject—is a common technique. It’s called selective focus, and Karena Goldfinch of Melbourne, Australia, used it for this lovely toned floral study of a columbine blossom.But as she can attest, throwing a background into a creamy state of defocus is only half the selective-focus battle. For the picture at left, Goldfinch paid just as much attention to the blurred background as she did the sharp subject.

Claire Benoist is a Brooklyn, NY, pro who contributes product photography to this (and many other) publications. But she also likes shooting flowers: “Nothing comes close to natural forms for sheer beauty,” Benoist says. In fact, she likes flowers so much, she often can’t decide which of her many floral studies to retouch, print, mat, and frame.

Are you crazy about food? If you appreciate its color and visual qualities as much as its taste, you have an excellent chance for success in culinary photography. It’s exactly what catapulted Francesco Tonelli of Union City, NJ, into a flourishing career. The photo above exemplifies his passion. “I bought this wedge of Valdéon to enjoy with dinner,”he says. “But after I sliced through it, I was captivated by its color, texture, and translucent quality. I had to photograph it—immediately.”