With summer fast approaching, gardeners are picking out seeds and plants, thinking of layouts and designs, and trying to get everything planted in time for it to grow and blossom this year. With all that work, capturing the beauty of your garden through photographs can be a great way to keep the memories blossoming, long after the last petal falls to the ground. Here are ten tips on capturing great photos for your garden:
This photo was taken with the sunlight on grape vines. Notice the red along the edges. If the sun had not been setting, the red would probably not show up. Sometimes the light can work to your advantage, but in general, cloudy days are best.
- Consider the lighting and time of day. Whether or not the sun is out, the time of day will affect how your photos turn out. Shadows can enhance a photo, but you don’t want to miss the affect you are going for by casting an unforeseen shadow with your body or camera. Try to avoid midday sun, and if possible, wait for a cloudy day.
Macro setting often shows a flower as the symbol. Check your camera Manuel if you are unsure.
- Use a Macro Lens, or, find the Macro setting on your camera (If you have one.) Macro mode allows you to zoom in closer than normal to objects. On most point-and-shoot cameras, this is the flower symbol.
This is a close-up of the inside of a tulip. Compare this photo to a photo where you just shoot down on a flower.
- Find unusual angles to shoot from. Many people shoot straight down on a flower. If you want something unique, consider lying on the ground and shooting up, or zoom in to just one part of the flower.
The bird bath is part of this garden. Think about the location of the
bird bath. What might you do differently to create a better photo using
the bird bath?
- Find something in your garden besides a flower and aim to get a unique angle of it. Sculptures, insects, and leaves are just some of the things you might find in your garden that would make a great photo.
Look at the distinct coloring in the flower and the veins on the leaf.
Any details which stand out can help make your photograph stronger.
- Look for the details: the way the light is across a flower, the dewdrops after rain, the torn edge of a leaf. Find details that make your garden unique.
This tulip is pretty well
centered in the photo. Try to imagine the flower a little to the left or the right and consider the difference it makes.
- Try not to center the object you are photographing. The only time you want to center it is if centering would strengthen the image you are shooting. If you aren’t sure, try different angles to see what fits best. Remember the rule of thirds; pretend your photo is divided into three equal parts both horizontally and vertically, leaving 9 boxes. Try not to put anything in the center box.
This is a good example of what can happen if you are trying to hold your
camera steady, but move right when it goes off. A tripod can help make
sure this doesn't happen.
- Use a tripod. A tripod can help you get the clear focus you want in your photo.
In the spring time, you might fill a bucket like this with dirt and
plant seeds in it. It looks so different in winter, and yet still makes
for a great photograph.
- Shoot in different seasons. Your garden will look very different in summer than in winter. You can take a photo in every season, then create a collage, comparing the photos you have taken. In each season, what’s in your garden to photograph will look very different, especially if you live in a area with four distinct seasons.
Insects and other animals can be a great addition to your photo, especially if you can catch them on the move!
- Aim to capture animals and plants together. Look for insects on a flower, a squirrel in a tree or near a bush, or a snake crawling through the grass. Animals and plants together can add uniqueness to your photo and, if the animal is camouflaged well, turn your photo into an I-spy for viewers.
What do your eyes rest on in this photo before you view the rest of the photo?
- Keep in mind your focal point. What do you want viewers eyes to rest on before they view the rest of the photo? What is the first thing they will see when they glance at the photo?
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