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Framing the garden

Posted on June 16th, 2009 – 8:40 AM
By Robyn Dochterman

krystlesbee.jpg

I take it for granted sometimes, but lately, I’ve been reveling in the visual pleasures of the garden.  Just after it rained last week, I went out of town for a few days. When I got back yesterday, I was overwhelmed with the colorful abundance. Did things really grow that much in only a few days, or am I just seeing them with fresh eyes?

I’m not the only one looking, either. My niece, a recent college grad, was gracious enough to hold down the homestead while my partner and I were away. That’s no small task and she did it with aplomb. But what impressed me even more than her mulching all our trees (see, I listen to you guys!) and tending chickens, is that Krystle found time to take photos of  some of the flowers, and a buzzing visitor to them (above).

Not only do I love this photo, but I love that she reminded me that I, too, like to take the camera into the garden. It helps me see all the delights in different light.

Do you mix photography and gardening? Do you have a favorite photo moment? A favorite pic? What makes a good garden shot?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 8:40 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

10 Responses to "Framing the garden"

Marguerite says:

June 16th, 2009 at 9:17 am

Actualy, I share a lot of garden photos on Twitter. Also make photos a part of my garden records.

Robyn Dochterman says:

June 16th, 2009 at 9:34 am

Marguerite, do you focus (so to speak) on photography as a record, then? Or is it more artistic for you?

Laura C says:

June 16th, 2009 at 9:48 am

I love taking photos of my garden… the flowers are always such willing subjects! Photography is my profession, so it’s very natural for me to mix gardening and photography. Plus, it’s proof that I actually had some blooming flowers before the rabbits get to them! ;)

Amelia Sprout says:

June 16th, 2009 at 10:58 am

I’ve been documenting my garden this year on my blog, and I love it. It is a natural subject and it is helping me renew my love for photography. I’m hoping writing about it and taking pictures will help me remember what worked and what didn’t work when next year comes.
I love using my macro settings and really getting up close shots. There is so much detail there you wouldn’t always see when looking at things from a distance. Like how radish leaves are so fuzzy.

Judybusy says:

June 16th, 2009 at 11:16 am

I have taken pictures of my gardens since first gardening as an adult in 1989. I began my current one in 1995, and it’s gone through many changes, so I am happy I have a record. I also love being able to look at the pictures in winter!

I used to have a manual Olympus camera, and so was able to take better pictures. Now I have a digital point-and-shoot which is OK, but can’t do the cool detail Amelia gets.

I’ve been posting shots on facebook every couple weeks to show what’s happening.

Robyn Dochterman says:

June 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am

If anyone wants to share photos on other sites, I’d love to see them. Feel free to post links or URLs if you care to.

Also, do you have a favorite subject to photograph in your garden?

sparklegirl says:

June 16th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

Bees and butterflies are always a favorite garden-photography subject for me. I have a photo very much like the one above, with some happy bees enjoying my “Golden Jubilee” anise hyssop. And I’m with Amelia — the macro settings yield some amazing details!

Bluebird74 says:

June 16th, 2009 at 11:12 pm

I always photograph our juvenile trees and perennial beds each fall to assess progress from year to year, and to remember where stuff is planted so that I know if it dies. It isn’t your imagination, we had a clematis that took FOREVER to come up, thought it was dead, and it’s grown 6 inches in the past week I swear.

Mulried says:

June 18th, 2009 at 8:45 am

I’ve been taking photos of my garden this year and posting them to flickr. It’s an easy way to show its progress to my mother, who lives in another state. It’s also been helpful to remember dates, like when I planted my seeds or when my tomatoes started blossoming, etc.

Robyn Dochterman says:

June 18th, 2009 at 10:14 am

Mulried, I like the idea of using photos to remember dates. Very smart!

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