Ah, sweet spring. Is there a better time of year to be a photographer? Summer gets too hot and bright, fall gets too cool and dark, and winter gets flat-out unbearable.

It’s not hard to capture the colors and jubilation of spring. Shoot freely and have fun with it, but do keep a few things in mind to get the most out of your shots:

Natural Light is Your Friend

Time of day, camera direction and weather all influence how natural light renders a subject. Shadows from natural light alone can make a photo look stunning. Also consider the fact that cloud or tree cover can act as a diffuser, producing a consistent light source without direct sunlight.

Use backlight to illuminate flower petals and add dimension to your shot. As always, only use flash fittingly and moderately; otherwise you’ll end up with harsh shadows and overexposure.

It’s All About the Details

In spring you want to capture images that make people further appreciate life outside. They see the colors and they feel alive, but they might not process the details the way you can with your camera. Your job is to help them see the little things they love about this time of year. Instead of relying on zoom, get close to your subject – physically.

Rain is a Good Thing

Showers are a staple of spring. After it rains, find skies with interesting cloud detail rather than the traditional uninspired blue. If you’re in luck and the conditions are right, you may even spot a rainbow. The reflections in puddles and raindrops make for a great addition to an already awe-inspiring spring scene. Raindrops are also great subject matter for bokeh.

Spring is Made for Macro

Macro photography is taking really close-up pictures of small specimens so the size of a subject appears greater than life size. Think abstract here, and understand that shooting live subjects - such as bugs -  takes a great deal of patience and focus. A tripod is absolutely essential.

For macro photography, remember that you want a small aperture (a large F-number) to achieve the widest depth of field, which will allow you to capture a clear image of your subject.

The Magic Hour is Longer

Magic hour is defined as the first and last hour of sunlight in a day, when the natural light is soft, forgiving, and perfect for photography. It’s also known as the golden hour, and it’s not confined to an hour in length. It’s more of a loose term than a definition. In spring, the days start to become longer, making for longer lasting sunrises and sunsets, thus creating longer magic hours. Don’t let these ideal conditions pass you by!

Share Your Spring Photography

We love seeing work from our creative community. Share your best spring photos with us on Twitter or Instagram via the buttons below! And for all of our friends here in NYC, check out these spring hotspots, each offering unique photo opportunities.