Photographyblog, Garden Shoot

Millions of people throughout the world love gardens and gardening. At International Garden Photographer of the Year we get over 20,000 entries from people who want to celebrate their - or someone else's - garden.

It's easy isn't it? Gardens are, by definition, places full of visual interest, lovely colours, wonderful textures, easy to get to (walk out of the back door), great! - so what's the problem?

At International Garden Photographer of the Year we offer feedback to anyone who has entered a photograph and has not won. This way we can begin to understand some of the common issues that come up to prevent photographers from being really happy with their images.

Our category 'Garden Views' is one that throws up a lot of questioning and doubt.

"This garden was absolutely fantastic to walk around - I don't think I've captured that atmosphere."

"This was a great vista but my photo makes it look cluttered up with other things."

"This border was full of colour and texture. How can I bring this out in a photograph when I can't fit it all in?"

Spring at King Johns Lodge
Claire Takacs
Third Place: Garden Views category - International Garden Photographer of the Year 2009

Getting your Eye In

Many professional garden photographers have one thing in common.

When they go to a garden for the first time, they take no photographs. Often, they will do a 'recce' first - to see what kind of garden it is, to see what's there, and to understand how the sun travels across it during the day. The camera stays in the car. They will look in detail at the planting, assessing various viewpoints. They will talk to the gardener to understand what he or she thinks is important about the garden. And the most important question the photographer will ask is:

What is it about this garden that makes it special?

And the answer to that question will provide the starting point for the shoot. Everything else will flow from here.

Water Garden
Jason Liske
Commended: International Garden Photographer of the Year 2009

In this photograph, it is clear that Jason Liske is very familiar with this garden. This garden is not big on colour or texture - it is a wildflower 'meadow' garden with a pool. So there is no focus on these elements. What this garden is about is the open air and the relationship of water and sky - in short - Jason has photographed the atmosphere of this garden. He has done this by choosing his viewpoint very carefully and by picking the time of day.

Right time, right place

A garden looks so different at different times of day. The various parts of the garden are lit up by the sun, the shade offered by trees changes shape and size all the time. Flowers open and close and spin around to face the sun!

That is why professional photographers will often revisit a particular garden time and time again at different times - it is hardly ever the same twice. And of course it changes throughout the seasons.

In summer in the Northern Hemisphere it is often easier to create atmosphere in a garden photograph with morning or evening light. In the morning you have the added bonus of dew to create sparkle and mood. But evening light can be warmer in tone - and the flowers do not look so sleepy! For me, the ultimate light is in the evening after an afternoon rain shower.

But gardens offer a lot for the photographer at any season.

The Circle
Nicholas Hastings Winch
Commended: International Garden Photographer of the Year 2009-07-08

Here, Nicholas has used the subdued colours of a winter evening to great effect.

Viewpoints

Photographing a garden is a bit like photographing a small landscape. The same considerations are in place when attempting to capture a vista or wide view. Choose the viewpoint very carefully and compose the view in the viewfinder. Create interest in the foreground of a wide shot. Use natural shapes like trees and shrubs to balance the composition. Create a sense of depth by leading the eye 'into' the frame.

Cruden Farm
Simon Griffiths
Commended International Garden Photographer of the Year 2009-07-08

Simon's composition is beautifully balanced, with a strong sense of perspective and direction into the frame.

Make sure you keep the viewer's eye inside the frame. At International Garden Photographer of the Year we see a lot of shots where an area of white sky leads the eye out of the frame. It's usually possible to change your viewpoint to eliminate a white sky. You can use a graduated filter to darken the sky, or do this in post-production with Photoshop.

Choosing your viewpoint is not just about moving a metre or two either way. What about getting up high? Is there a balcony or even roof you can shoot from?

Andrea Jones
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello Garden
Finalist: International Garden Photographer of the Year 2009

Andrea has chosen a specific viewpoint in order to create a balanced composition, with all the elements in visual harmony.

But unlike landscapes, gardens are man made. Often gardeners or garden designers have created visual focal points in the garden already. The photographer needs to be aware of this and use the opportunity if it is appropriate.

Dennis Frates
Portland Japanese Garden. Finalist International Garden Photographer of the Year 2009-07-08

Look at the way that Dennis has used the carefully-positioned Japanese sculpture to anchor the composition. Try putting a finger over the sculpture and see how less satisfying the composition becomes without it.