3 Uses for Garden Photos

​Most gardens are coming into their peak season.  Now is an excellent time to get your camera or smart phone and take some pictures.  Why?
I’ve learned there are many uses for garden photographs.  My reasons to take photos started with record keeping.  Then I expanded my photo collection to use in garden programs.  Now I also share on social media and get creative with cards and prints.  Do you have pictures of your garden?  Here are some reasons to consider regularly taking photos.  

1. Record keeping – I love that the digital record includes the date.  It’s helpful for me to know when certain plants bloom, what makes good combinations, and when pests and diseases appear.  I also try to keep a record of projects and milestones like when a shade tree was cut down converting a shaded garden to full sun.  I wish there was a record of my early gardens but it never occurred to me that I would want a visual record of them.  I take shots in one season to remind me that I want to divide a plant next spring.  Photos are better at recording the plant and location than my poor memory.  If I notice something needs attention but don’t have the time or it’s the wrong season; I take a picture, print it out with a note and store it in the folder for another time. 
2. Discovery  -- Walking around the garden with camera in hand focuses my attention on individual plants.  The photo gives me a reference to add a proper name, do some research, learn more.  It is easier to identify a plant with a good photo than a description.  When I visit a public garden I take at least 3 pictures of a plant:  the plant ID tag, a close-up, and one a bit further away to put it in context.  By doing this my plant identification knowledge has increased.  If it is in a nice setting I will also take shots from several angles to get an artistic scene to share.
3. Sharing – To share a great picture on social media, on a card, in a photo book, or print is the fun part of garden pictures.  Adding the botanical name and something about the plant allows me to share what I have learned.  It all starts with a good photo. 

---

Garden Photo Tips

​Modern digital cameras make taking a good picture easy.   Learning the camera’s features help in getting better photos.  And just like gardening there is always more to learn.  I think photography and gardening are complimentary activities.  Now I both garden to get the photo and photograph to improve my garden.
 
P.S.  It is easier to give away plants or share seeds with a good picture of it in its prime.  

• Shoot when the plant is in prime condition
• Check the background in the photo, clear weeds or dead plant material
• Shade, a cloudy day, early morning, or evening light are better than bright sunlight
• Most garden photos are taken looking down, try a different angle.  Get higher (with a ladder or second story window), lower (right at ground level), horizontal or vertical, close-up or far away
• Use a tripod for sharp pictures
• For a dewy appearance no need to wait for rain, use a spray bottle to add droplets
• Take background shots of tools, the garden shed, bare beds in the spring and fall to tell the seasonal story
• Create a digital file system; label by season, garden or something that is meaningful to make finding a photo easier