A smartphone will capture a scene in a crisp way. Ensuring everything in the frame is sharp. We want to make it more interesting by adding a nice soft background blur. Keep your eyes out for a pretty cherry bud or blossom and bring your smartphone really close and tap to focus. This will ensure you that the subject is sharp while the background will get a enticing, soft blur. It will get more interesting if you position the subject slightly out of the center. Bonus points if you can have a homogeneous pinkish backdrop. – Karin & Coen, Land Cruising Adventure
How to Take the Best Photos of Cherry Blossoms on a Smartphone
It’s never too late to learn more about how you can capture the best photos of cherry blossoms on a smartphone. Before you know it, spring will appear in cities such as Tokyo, Washington or Bonn, and if you’re considering a visit during this time, you’ll want to be prepared with a few photography tips and tricks.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your smartphone and take that perfect cherry blossom photo.
1. Timing is everything (plan ahead to avoid the crowds)
Do your research first. Depending on the destination and climate, weather forecast will vary from one location to another. Often, you can view cherry blossoms throughout April, however, the flowering process can start anytime from March.
Cherry blossoms are known for attracting large numbers of visitors every year, meaning cities may become crowded and some parks will become difficult to walk through. This situation is not always ideal for someone who enjoys quiet walks, or for photographers looking to capture a peaceful shot.
To avoid the crowds, we suggest waking up early and heading to a nearby cherry blossom site just in time for the sunrise. You’ll have the entire park to yourself and can enjoy the benefits of warm, morning light to enhance your photos.
2. Light matters (sunrise and sunset are ideal)
Every photographer knows there are just two times in the day when you can capture the best light: at sunrise or sunset. If you manage to snap a picture during this timeframe, you’ll be on your way to creating a masterpiece.
The soft light makes the pastel colours of the blooms stand out. Avoid distractions and frame the shot with a quiet background, such as a clear blue sky. Last but not least, avoid using any filters as they will only take away the magic of those natural pink hues.
A smartphone will capture a scene in a crisp way. Ensuring everything in the frame is sharp. We want to make it more interesting by adding a nice soft background blur. Keep your eyes out for a pretty cherry bud or blossom and bring your smartphone really close and tap to focus. This will ensure you that the subject is sharp while the background will get a enticing, soft blur. It will get more interesting if you position the subject slightly out of the center. Bonus points if you can have a homogeneous pinkish backdrop. – Karin & Coen, Land Cruising Adventure
Related: Beautiful photos of cherry blossoms
Surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees and the serene Lake Kawaguchiko, Dungo captured the majestic beauty of Mt. Fuji, one of Japan’s most scared mountains.
Photograph by Danny Dungo , National Geographic Your Shot
Glancing up at the right moment, Shah discovered “sometimes it’s not about looking out but looking in.” Instead of seeing people’s faces in the train’s windows she caught the reflection of the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Photograph by Janvika Shah , National Geographic Your Shot
With more than 200 ornamental cherry tree variations, Japan’s cherry blossoms come in a spectrum of pink hues. Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura are the most commonly viewed cherry blossoms in Japan.
Photograph by T. Ashida , National Geographic Your Shot
Symbolizing renewal, hope, and the brevity of life, cherry blossoms bring in the spring season around the Matsumae Castle in Hokkaido, Japan.
Photograph by Aya Iwasaki, National Geographic Your Shot
Verdant farmlands and flamingo pink treetops create a whimsical backdrop in the Fujian region of China.
Photograph by John Nie , National Geographic Your Shot
Ohantai captures a quiet spring moment in Kyoto. One of the best places to see cherry blossoms in the city is Kinkaku-Ji, or the Golden Pavilion.
Photograph by S. Ohtani , National Geographic Your Shot
This cherry blossom promenade features more than 800 cherry trees in full bloom along the Meguro River. One of the best times to visit is after peak season when thousands of pink petals are blown into the river.
Photograph by Yuichi Yokota , National Geographic Your Shot
Using the flowing lines of the recently built Chureito Pagoda and the floating cherry blossom trees to frame the looming Mt. Fuji in the background, Fujiwara captures the essence of Japan.
Photograph by Yoshiki Fujiwara , National Geographic Your Shot
According to legend, Kaneko writes that this drooping cherry blossom tree is the resting place of Sengoku warrior Goto Masato who later became a monk.
Photograph by Yoshiyuki Kaneko , National Geographic Your Shot
“It is difficult to predict when and where the wind will blow, and the shower only lasts about 10 seconds,” but Liu explained how being in the right place, at the right moment, with the right equipment allowed him to freeze time for an enchanting shot of cherry blossom petals in mid-snowfall.
Photograph by Cedar Liu , National Geographic Your Shot
D.C. has 12 different varieties of ornamental, or flowering, cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin giving the area an array of pink during National Cherry Blossom Festival. In 1912, Japan gave more than 3,000 trees to the U.S. capital city as a gift of friendship.
Photograph by Edie Purdie , National Geographic Your Shot
New York City welcomes springs with the return of its migratory birds and budding cherry blossom trees. Each year the Brooklyn Botanic Garden puts on a month-long celebration honoring the cherry blossoms before closing the event out with the Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival.
Photograph by Elisa N. , National Geographic Your Shot
Before the cherry blossom was celebrated in Japan, its sister flower the plum blossom stole the show. Today umeni, or plum viewing parties are usually popular amongst the older generations.
Photograph by Masayuki Yamashita , National Geographic Your Shot
Strolling through the park, Dungo found a man taking a path less traveled through the cherry blossom trees at a park in Tokyo.
Photograph by Danny Dungo , National Geographic Your Shot
Harmonizing three competing forces of nature, Watanabe creates an ethereal landscape of Lake Kawaguchi, the cherry blossoms, and Japan’s most iconic peak.
Photograph by Takaki Watanabe , National Geographic Your Shot
Capturing the transient beauty of flowers, Dungo’s aerial shot of Inokashira Park gives a glimpse of Japanese people continuing the practice of hanami or cherry blossom viewing parties.
Photograph by Danny Dungo , National Geographic Your Shot
Locals and travelers flocking to Ueno Park to catch a glimpse of the beautiful cherry trees in full blossom. At night, Attard says groups of people can be found sharing a drink and having their own little hamami.
Photograph by George Attard , National Geographic Your Shot
Cherry blossom trees lining the Iwaki River adds a new depth to a regular paddling adventure. WH describes Hirosaki during cherry blossom season as a “place you must visit before you die.”
Photograph by Ryan WH , National Geographic Your Shot
While cherry blossoms are well known for its spring blooms, two species, Shikizakura and Fuyuzakura, bud in autumn. Suzuki describes the Toyota-shi, Aichi Prefecture region to be an ideal area to see a picturesque fusion of spring and autumn colors.
Photograph by Hidenobu Suzuki, National Geographic Your Shot
Delicate and fleeting, cherry blossoms peak around two weeks after budding. Although short in lifespan, the iconic pink flower deeply engraved in Japanese culture.
Photograph by Hiroki Kondo , National Geographic Your Shot
The sun rises on Mt. Fuji casting a warm glow on the cherry blossom trees below. Mt. Fuji has five surrounding lakes that are ideal to snag a great picture of the mountain and the blooming flowers.
Photograph by Hidenobu Suzuki, National Geographic Your Shot
Crowds line the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. before sunrise to get their first taste of spring with the newly blossomed cherry trees.
Photograph by Lingxiao Xie , National Geographic Your Shot
Every spring, people gather in Ueno Park to picnic under the blooming trees illuminated in the evening by traditional lanterns, writes Simionescu.
Photograph by Aurora Simionescu , National Geographic Your Shot
As the sun sets hanami becomes yozakura. Cherry blossom trees are illuminated with lanterns setting a magical tone on the night festivities.
Photograph by Masato Saito , National Geographic Your Shot
Taken at the Ga-ryu Garden in Nagano, Japan, cherry blossom petals reflect like stars in a watery sky in this photo by Hui Ng.
Lighting For Cherry Blossom Photoshoots
Each photographer will have his or her unique approach and style when it comes to lighting. In general, a photographer will choose between two general types of lighting, either natural light or flash.
Natural Light Cherry Blossom Photos
Soft, natural light can create a gentle and serene mood in the portrait with a natural and organic look. This can help the photographer capture more authentic and natural images.
Flashed Cherry Blossom Photos
Flash photography can help bring out vibrant colors in your cherry blossom photoshoot. It can also create directional lighting and help control the quality and quantity of the light. By using flash effectively, photographers can create stunning portraits with colors that pop and capture the essence of the subject.
Photo Editing Styles
After your cherry blossom photoshoot is over, it’s time to edit your photos. Basic editing techniques like adjusting exposure, contrast, and color balance can help enhance your images. However, be careful not to over-edit your photos, as this can result in an unnatural and overly-processed look. The goal should be to maintain the natural beauty and delicate colors of the cherry blossoms. Here are a few popular editing styles to consider.
Light and Airy
A light and airy style of editing in photography is a post-processing technique that enhances the brightness, highlights, and pastel colors of an image to create a soft, dreamy, and romantic look. This can create a gentle and ethereal atmosphere that feels natural, effortless, and whimsical for your cherry blossom photoshoot.
Dark and Moody
A dark and moody style of editing in photography is a post-processing technique that emphasizes deep shadows, rich textures, and muted tones to create a dramatic, emotional, and cinematic look. It can be particularly effective in conveying themes such as nostalgia or emotion and can be used to create a distinctive and memorable aesthetic.
Bold and Vibrant
A bold and vibrant style of editing in photography is a post-processing technique that enhances the colors, contrast, and saturation of an image to create a lively, energetic, and dynamic look. This can create a bold and dynamic atmosphere that feels modern, exciting, and eye-catching.
Advanced Techniques in Cherry Blossom Photography
Of course, don’t forget your advanced and creative techniques in your cherry blossom photography! This can be anything from creative compositions, HDR techniques, Free Lensing, and more. See some examples below.
Double Exposure
A double exposure is a technique where two different images are combined into a single photograph. This technique can be used to create a variety of artistic effects, such as merging two different scenes or adding texture to a photograph.
Flares in Cherry Blossom Photoshoots
Flares in photography can add a unique and artistic quality to an image, making it appear more visually interesting and appealing to the viewer. This effect can produce an ethereal and dreamlike quality, as well as a sense of warmth and brightness. Flares can also create a sense of depth in an image, as they can add layers of interest and texture to an otherwise flat composition.
