Photography Tips for Showing Roses

Capturing the beauty of roses for a rose show category takes care and attention to detail. Whether you are entering a virtual competition or an in-person exhibition, knowing what the ARS judges look for and how to effectively photograph your blooms to earn awards can make all the difference. 

Let’s explore these photography tips to help you show your garden roses at their finest.

Understanding “Showing” Roses

In ARS rose shows, the goal is to highlight the rose’s ideal form, true color, and full substance under controlled conditions that best display the bloom’s natural beauty. Roses are judged on six key factors: form, color, substance, stem & foliage, balance & proportion, and size. Let’s look deeper . . .

Form

Form is considered the most important, because without good form, even perfect color can’t win top honors. Form refers to the overall shape of the bloom, meaning its symmetry, petal arrangement, and openness.

 
Tip: In photos, use angles that emphasize a rose’s high-centered or classic form (for hybrid teas) or the uniform dome shape (for floribundas and shrubs). Soft lighting helps show petal texture without flattening depth.

Color

Judges look for purity and consistency of color, true to the variety. 

Tip: Avoid overexposure, which can bleach color, or heavy editing, which can distort it. Natural light or diffused illumination helps retain accuracy.

Substance

Refers to the freshness and firmness of petals; blooms should appear crisp, not wilted. 

Tip: Capture roses early in the day or shortly after they open to show vitality and full petal strength.

Stem and Foliage

The supporting elements should be in proportion to the bloom and free of blemishes or damage. 

Tip: In photography, include just enough stem and foliage to balance the composition without distracting from the bloom.

Balance and Proportion

The relationship between the bloom, stem, and foliage should feel harmonious. 

Tip: When framing, avoid cropping too close or including too much background—center the bloom naturally within its proportions.

Size

The bloom’s size should be appropriate to its class—large but not oversized for hybrid teas, or moderate and evenly scaled in sprays. 

Tip: Use framing to convey proper scale while keeping the rose dominant in the shot.

Note: For floribundas or spray roses, judges also look at inflorescence—the overall shape and balance of a cluster of blooms. When photographing sprays, try to capture the cluster’s symmetry and proportion from both above and the side, making sure each bloom complements the others.

What Kind of Roses Do You Want to Show?

There are different classes of roses, and each has unique forms and characteristics. 

Hybrid teas: Are typically shown as single blooms with a high-centered form.

Floribundas: Are cherished for their ability to produce multiple flowers on a single stem, forming what is often referred to as a “spray of flowers.” They are judged on the overall beauty of these sprays. 

Grandifloras: These roses typically develop classic large, showy blooms that may be borne singularly or clustered. Plants are generally large, vigorous and grow in a more upright habit than hybrid tea roses. These are also judged on the overall beauty of their sprays.

Miniatures / Minifloras: Smaller blooms benefit from close-up composition that highlights intricate petal texture, spiral form, and compact shape.

Species roses: Native roses, like Rosa rugosa, are prized for their natural charm and adaptability, often thriving in coastal or regional climates.

Shrub / Old Garden: These classes have naturally flat or globular blooms; your photo should emphasize symmetry, color depth, and healthy foliage.

Choose healthy, fully opened –– but not past their prime –– blooms. Judges are looking for good petal substance and vibrant foliage. The Show Handbook will guide you.

If you’re thinking about cultivating your own roses to show, don’t be intimidated by their reputation for being finicky. Some of the easiest roses to grow for beginners include knock out roses, flower carpet roses, and easy elegance roses . 

Presentation Format

Show photography aims to replicate the standards of live exhibitions. Each image should accurately represent a rose’s form, balance, and proportion—qualities that judges assess in person. 

Be sure to identify the correct variety name and class when entering a photo; misnaming or misclassifying can lead to disqualification in official competitions.

Composition and Subject

Composition is what turns a good photo into a great one. Think of your image as a judge would: is the rose’s form clear, balanced, and true to its class? Center the bloom carefully, avoid distractions, and keep the stem and foliage in proportion to the flower’s size.

For sprays, stage the cluster so that the central bloom is slightly higher than the others; this creates pleasing symmetry and helps highlight the natural inflorescence.

Shoot from various angles, such as straight on for form, slightly above for balance, or from below for dramatic depth. 

Lighting and Background

Lighting plays a major role in how your rose appears to judges. The right light brings out texture, color, and form—three qualities that define an award-winning bloom. Lighting can make or break a show photograph. 

• Overhead sunlight often washes out color, while side or diffused lighting enhances petal texture and depth.
  
• Early morning or late afternoon light is often ideal. If shooting outdoors in bright sun, use a diffuser to soften harsh shadows.
  
• Red and dark-colored roses are prone to overexposure. Try bracketing your shots to find the best exposure.
  
• Cloudy days are perfect for capturing even tones and avoiding glare.
  
• When photographing outdoors, bring a white or black background board or fabric to help your rose stand out from its surroundings.
  
• For indoor photography, experiment with soft side lighting to highlight the rose’s natural contours and true color.

Red roses are particularly tricky due to their deep tones. For more guidance, check out How to Foto Red Roses for capturing accurate color, form, and petal detail.

Background Tips for Showing Roses

The background should enhance the rose, not compete with it. A clean, neutral setting helps judges focus on the bloom’s form and color.

• Try to use a plain, uncluttered background—white, gray, or black usually works best.
  
• Avoid busy or colorful backdrops that distract from the rose.
  
• For light-colored roses, use a darker background to add contrast. For deep red or dark blooms, choose a lighter background so the flower doesn’t blend in.
  
• If photographing outdoors, a black fleece positioned behind the rose is very effective.
  
• Keep the background far enough away to create a soft blur (shallow depth of field helps, too).

Equipment and Preparation

Whether using a camera or your smartphone, the goal is clarity and accuracy, meaning showing the rose as the judges would see it in person. A tripod helps steady your camera and ensures sharp focus, especially when shooting close-ups or in low light. 

Today’s smartphones are capable of stunning macro shots. Use a clear lens hood or macro attachment to narrow the depth of field and bring fine details (like petal veining or dew drops) into focus. 

An extra tip: A light mist from a spray bottle can recreate that early-morning freshness, but avoid overdoing it; foreign substances can be grounds for disqualification in live shows.

In-Person vs Virtual Shows

For in-person exhibits, ensure your garden roses are fresh, clean, and correctly staged according to class.

For virtual rose shows, follow the same standards as in-person competitions. Use consistent lighting, accurate labeling, and avoid any digital enhancement that alters the rose’s true appearance. 

Whether you’re already winning blue ribbons or just starting your journey in rose exhibition, focusing on form, color, and proportion will set you apart.

Final Thoughts

Every great show photo begins with respect for the rose itself (structure, vitality, and grace). By following these photography tips, you’ll capture not only what makes each rose beautiful, but what makes it worthy of a show.

Harley Grandone is a landscaping and lawn care writer with 20+ years of experience as a landscape designer. She also was the photography editor at Bucks County Community College in Pennsylvania for a year and worked at a camera store.