Jun 27 2013 3:28 pm
Video by Robert Grant Article by Jennifer Markert
This photography tutorial video will demonstrate how to compose images of the garden.
Gardens are among the most beautiful places to shoot. Rich with life and detailed with architecture and landscape, gardens provide a myriad of interesting subject matter, including flowers of various colors and shapes, ivy on metal fences, textured walkways, and vibrant leafy plant growth.
Obviously, all gardens differ, but tend to have several things in common: they are manufactured by humans, featuring elements of nature, and tend to be complex in assortment of colors, textures, and architecture. For the most part, gardens are outdoors, allowing the flowers (not to mention photographers) to get the best natural light.
photo by Robert Grant
Composition
While it may seem that you could shoot a garden from any point and get an interesting shot, taking care to compose your shot is, as always, key in getting a good result. Because of the likely complicated assortment of plant life available, shots can easily become busied by different elements, denying the eye a place to rest and losing overall appeal.
Pay attention when composing shots to finding a focal point that brings out the best of your subject. Don’t try to cram too many elements into one photograph; instead, give different subjects the time and scrutiny they deserve by simplifying shots to draw the viewers attention to small and elegant details, without causing distraction.
Use the Architecture
The fun thing about gardens is that there is a real juxtaposition between the natural and man-made world. Architecture allows solid shapes, lines, and structure, to enter and house the outside world in an organized manner. You can take advantage of this to find good shots. Use the lines and shapes when composing your shots to add balance, perhaps using the rule of thirds, or a change of perspective. Pay attention to lines, and use them to draw the viewer’s attention to your focal point by aligning them with corners, or the other lines of your photograph.
Use the Light
Morning is a wonderful time for flowers, as it provides a soft light that can highlight your subject without flattening it out. While shooting early or later in the day, when the light is soft, is preferable, you can make the most of your natural light no matter what time of day it is. Adjust your aperture and shutter speed according to the sun’s strength, to make sure the garden is properly exposed. Pay close attention to shadows. The light is your friend; work with it, and it will show in your photos!
Conclusion
The opportunities are endless for shooting gardens; why not make a day of it, enjoy the nice weather, and get some nice shots in the meantime? Whether you have your own humble garden, or visit a public one, there are photographs to be taken of flowers large and small. We’d love to see them!
Post your own flower and garden shots in the comments below. We will choose one as the photo of the week! And announce it on Facebook and Twitter
To See great examples of Garden Photography follow LearnMyShot Pinterest Board
This tutorial was produced by Sasha Gitin and Robert Grant: co-founders of LearnMyShot.com. The article is written by Jen Markert, Staff Editor for LearnMyShot.com. What a team !!!
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