Red Berry Sprays in a Blue Watering Can
Red Berry Sprays
There’s nothing easier than filling a container with red berry sprays or picks! For this arrangement, I used an old metal watering can that usually sits on my back porch. It’s functional in the spring and summer for watering plants, but on this day, I turned it into a quick Christmas/winter display. 😊
While this is a simple decoration, the main reason for this post is to highlight how much lighting can affect your photos.
I took these pictures within about five minutes on the same rainy afternoon—not the ideal time for photography, I know! But if you’re anything like me, when inspiration strikes, you’ve got to act on it before it slips away! 😊
Lighting
The first image (above) captures the vibrant, true color of the red berry sprays. However, I wanted a different background than the brick wall, so I moved the container to another spot on the porch and photographed it with the trees in the background. While the trees aren’t exactly at their best this time of year, look at how the lighting dramatically changes the color of the berries! Lighting really does make all the difference.
Fortunately, I took a moment to check my photos before snapping too many. The red berry sprays looked so much darker in the pictures than they did in real life! It’s incredible how much the lighting impacted the color—the image didn’t match what I was seeing with my own eyes at all.
I left the container of berry sprays in the same spot and moved around it to take more photos. Since it was mid-to-late afternoon, the lighting wasn’t ideal and wasn’t coming from behind me. The pergola cover might have played a role in the differences too, but I’m not entirely sure!
When shooting toward the house, the lighting was much better, but when aiming toward the woods, the lighting made the berries appear darker. The takeaway? It’s always a good idea to check a few images before committing to taking more! 😊
Using the Portrait Filter
I also wanted to share a quick tip about using the portrait filter. It’s a great tool for keeping the focus on your main subject while softening the background, allowing it to blend in and become less distracting. Perfect for highlighting details!
Most of the time, when we’re taking photos, we’re so focused on the subject that we don’t even notice what’s in the background. While it might not always be an issue, it can be frustrating to spot something distracting or out of place after the fact—especially if you can’t retake the shot.
Here’s an example for you—not a perfect one, but it’s the best I could find! 😊
As I mentioned, the image on the left isn’t bad, but you can spot a sack in the background. It’s not very noticeable, but when the portrait filter is applied, the colors blend seamlessly, and the sack becomes completely indistinguishable.
Recap
Before snapping a lot of photos, take a moment to review a couple to check your lighting—it can make all the difference! Photographing the red berries was a real eye-opener for me. Honestly, I’m still not sure if the light was behind me, in front of me, or if the shade from above played a role. Either way, it’s a good reminder to always double-check before moving on!
Red Berry Sprays
If you’re on the hunt for red berry sprays or picks, Trendy Tree has several styles in stock to choose from.
The blue watering can has become a favorite for both decorating and practical use. To my surprise, it turned out to be fully functional, and I’ve used it as a real watering can in the spring and summer. When it’s not busy with that, it transforms into a seasonal accent. In spring, it’s filled with bright blooms like irises and sunflowers. In summer, it holds fresh hydrangeas, while in fall, it’s perfect for warm-toned flowers, cotton stems, and autumn berries. For winter, I fill it with festive berry sprays or greenery.
It’s one of those pieces that feels like an old, comfy sweatshirt—the more worn and weathered it gets, the more I love it. Kind of like my husband, now that I think about it! 😉
