A Picture Perfect Guide to Viola FlowersBy John Smith
Viola flowers, commonly known as violets or pansies, are a beloved flower known for their bright colors and delicate beauty. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know to take the perfect picture of these photogenic blooms.
As a nature photographer and gardening enthusiast, I’ve taken hundreds of photos of violas over the years Their vibrant hues and velvety texture make them an excellent subject for capturing in images. Whether grown in gardens, pots or spilling out into meadows, violas lend mood, emotion and pops of color to photographs
So how does one take an eye-catching, visually appealing photo of these flowers? Here are my tips:
The Best Viola Varieties for PhotosWhile all violas are photogenic some varieties truly shine on camera. Here are some top picks
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Pansies: These large-faced, colorful hybrids bloom spring through fall. Go for bold primaries, dramatics, or pastels.
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Johnny Jump Ups: Adorable little faces on these violets peek out playfully.
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V. cornuta (Horned Violet): Striking, spurred blooms in purple-black hues.
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V. tricolor (Johnny Jump Up): Cheerful blooms in purple, yellow and white.
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V. odorata (Sweet Violet): Delicate, strongly scented flowers in blue-purple tones.
Lighting Tips
Proper lighting brings out a viola’s vivid colors and delicate details.
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For single blooms, use diffused, indirect daylight. This creates soft, even illumination.
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Low early morning or late afternoon sun bathes flowers in a warm glow.
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Backlighting from behind creates an ethereal, romantic look.
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For patches or drifts of blooms, choose an overcast day for ideal even lighting.
Composition Tricks
Violas lend themselves beautifully to creative compositions. Here are some approaches:
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Shoot a single bloom head-on, leaving minimal negative space around it. This showcases the flower’s form and color saturation.
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Take a macro shot of a viola’s face to highlight intricate details.
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Capture a viola in profile to showcase its spurs and shape.
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Shoot from above at a high angle for a unique perspective.
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Photograph massed blooms in drifts or patches to convey abundance.
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Pair violas with garden ornaments, fences, stone walls or other elements to add interest.
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Shoot wide scenes placing violas in their landscape context.
Editing Tips
Post-processing lets you finesse images to perfection.
- Boost contrast slightly to make colors pop.
-Play with saturation to intensify or mute hues.
-Add a slight vignette to keep the eye on the main subject.
-In black and white shots, adjust lighting filters to dramatize forms.
-Gently sharpen details like veins and fuzz.
-For batches of photos, edit for color consistency.
With these fundamental photography tips, you’ll be ready to capture eye-catching images of violas to enjoy for years to come. Aim for creativity in composition, optimal lighting, and thoughtful post-processing to take your viola photos to the next level. With practice, you’ll be able to capture the striking colors, varied forms and delicate details of these photogenic flowers in their full glory.
Getty Images:
viola flower: 21,506
pansy: 7129
violet: 2857
purple: 2478
iStock:
viola: 289,500
viola instrument: 16,049
viola odorata: 11,540
viola flower: 10,163
viola tricolor: 3049
Adobe Stock:
viola flowers: 17,635
purple viola: 11,321
white viola: 7325
viola flower: 6489
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Amazing and Most Beautiful Pansy Flowers Pictures
FAQ
What is the difference between a pansy and a Viola?
Are violas a perennial or annual?
Do violas like sun or shade?
Are violets and violas the same thing?
How many viola flower photos are there?
Browse 18,180 viola flower photos and images available, or search for viola flower isolated to find more great photos and pictures.
What is a viola flower called?
Collectively, they are known as violas, though individual distinctive garden types are usually called pansies (Viola x wittrockiana), Johnny-jump-ups (Viola tricolor), or violets (Viola sororia and others). As a group, viola flowers include both pure species types and many hundreds of hybrids and cultivars in all shades of the rainbow.
Are violas perennials?
As a group, viola flowers include both pure species types and many hundreds of hybrids and cultivars in all shades of the rainbow. The fast-growing varieties grown as garden plants are mostly small-flowered annuals or short-lived perennial violas. Many violas will come back every year thanks to self-seeding.
Is a viola a perennial or a pansy?
The perennial viola (Viola spp.) is the smallest, with a uniform cushion of leaves and abundant, one-inch flowers. Violas produce more blooms, are more cold-hardy, and are more heat tolerant than the slightly larger pansy. Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) are short-lived perennial plants offering larger flowers over compact leaves.
Which Viola flowers are best for a home garden?
With a delicious name like ‘Bel Viso Pineapple Crush’ and a color palette to match, this whimsical viola is irresistible. Each bloom has shades that range from gold to scarlet to mauve, creating a tapestry of bedding color. It’s no wonder that this award-winning variety is a fresh addition to the home garden.
Do violas grow in a garden?
Violas are as at home in woodland settings as they are filling crevices in rock walls. Combine them with other cool-weather lovers, such as snapdragons, calendula, and Dianthus. Or tuck violas between spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, to fill the space as the bulbs fade.