One of the easiest ways to improve your pictures is to change the way you hold your camera/smartphone. Changing from a horizontal to a vertical view or changing from a vertical to horizontal view can make a big difference in your photo. I see so many photos that are taken the wrong way. The problem is that folks get used to one of way of shooting and stick with it. It only takes an extra second or two to get the best composition of your photos.
Author: Joel Heffner
Looking (straight) down…
Sometimes, using a different angle can result in an interesting picture. Instead of shooting this bouquet from the side, I tried something different. I shot this by looking straight down.
Looking for different angles makes for better photos…sometimes.
Get an overview!
It’s important to take garden overview photos before it’s too late. An overview reminds you of what you planted…and where. It’s helpful for next year as well as being a pleasant memory during the winter when all you can see is snow! In addition to an overview like this one, make sure you get some shots really close to see the best in your plants and flowers. Go out there and get those overviews!
Little Missy … The Flower
Little Missy, the flower, is one of my wife’s favorites. The problem with it has been that it doesn’t bloom that often. A few days ago my wife called to me, “Come see Little Missy!” I knew that that meant bring the camera. I quickly grabbed by iPhone and took this photo. Notice the detail you can get with an iPhone.
Incidentally, the reason why I stress it’s Little Missy, the flower, is because one of our Pugs was named Missy. My wife found the plant shortly after Missy, the Pug, passed away. We have an extra sentimental fondness for this particular flower and am always happy to see it bloom. Missy, the Pug, would have liked it. She liked to smell the flowers in the garden.
Photography books for kids…
A great summer activity for kids is taking pictures in the garden. Here are some books that you might consider getting from your local library or on Amazon.
National Geographic Kids Guide to Photography: Tips & Tricks on How to Be a Great Photographer From the Pros & Your Pals at My Shot
by Nancy Honovich and Annie Griffiths
Photo Adventures for Kids: Solving the Mysteries of Taking Great Photos
by Anne-Laure Jacquart
Go Photo! An Activity Book for Kids
by Alice Proujansky
Don’t forget to take their pictures while they are taking pictures.
Some gardening for kids books…
Taking pictures of your garden is a great activity for kids. To learn about gardening for kids you might want to check out these books at your local library or on Amazon.
Jam and Jelly: A Step-by-Step Kids Gardening and Cookbook (Grow Your Own Ingredients) by Cassie Liversidge
Gardening Projects for Kids: Fantastic ideas for making things, growing plants and flowers, and attracting wildlife to the garden, with 60 practical projects and 500 photographs by Jenny Hendy
Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden by Renata Brown
Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) by Bonnie Worth and Aristides Ruiz
Don’t forget to take pictures of the kids doing their gardening. It will be a memory for both of you!
The purple plant…
If I didn’t know that my wife grew it I would have thought it was artificial. The purple color looks even better in person. She later told me that it was a particularly good year for this plant. I agree.
Sometimes, you have to look for a picture…
My wife and I were walking out of the garage when my wife said, “Joel, look at this.” She pointed to a reflection on the car. I took out my iPhone and this is what I got.
It happened to me…at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden!
Ansel Adams, the great landscape photographer, said, “Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.” My wife and I walk by this area whenever we go to the BBG. This day was special. The Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom…and…there were no people walking on the path! The perfect time to be in a perfect place!
Just another visitor…
You never know when an unexpected guest pops up in your garden. Here’s one that we found, enjoying some of my wife’s succulents. Apparently he (or she) made himself at home. Having an iPhone handy helped capture this memory.
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