Seasonal Pictures of Gardens Are an Enlightening Experience

Taking seasonal pictures helps us understand the qualities of light. So here's your homework...

Use your own backyard if you want. Maybe a public garden near by. But choose a garden that has lots of light.

Stick to exactly the same scene, same angle in all your seasonal photos. And remember, you want an area with lots of light.

Light has multiple personalities -- changes from morning to night -- season to season. Doing your homework will show you the differences.

And I'm doing the assignment with you. Jump in any season you want, but get your 4 seasonal garden pictures of one garden. When the year's up, you'll know much more about light.

And while you're doing that, come back often... take a look at my photo galleries of seasonal pictures.

Spring Gardens

We can't wait to get outside come spring! Spring fever is real folks... who wants to sit at a desk on a warm spring day? Not me, for sure!

Spring sunlight is soft and warm... perfect for flower photography. And morning or late afternoon light will get you the best pictures.

If the sun's low in the sky, it makes your subject look richer because sidelight brings out texture. Try some close-up shots of leaves or a tree trunk, rocks... you'll see all the gorgeous details. Another great subject for sidelighting is decorative grasses.

Summer Gardens

I've managed to get some wonderful seasonal pictures of summer gardens but never in the middle of the day. The summer sun pounding down makes me hot and irritable and it creates too much contrast in a photo.

A light cloud cover decreases contrast so you won't get horrible black shadows or blown out skies. Still, the best time is earlier in the morning or in the evening. If the sun is just too hot and bright, find a shady area to shoot in.

A lot of flowers tend to wilt and look stressed in a hot summer sun. Always choose a flower that looks fresh and strong. Brown, droopy blooms don't really make for great flower photography!

Fall Gardens

My favorite season... well, its tied with spring! Hot weather isn't my forte so autumn is a relief.

There are a few reasons I love autumn... fog is one, incredible colour is another, and, of course, cooler weather. Stanley Park is the place you want to go for fog.

Want to get rid of a distracting background? Fog will do that for you!

It will also even out the light and create a wonderful glow in your photos. The gazillions of itty bitty water droplets bounce the light in all directions. Sometimes its even spooky! Find a foggy patch for your Halloween scarecrow pictures.

Winter Gardens

Where you live, you may - or may not - experience 4 distinct seasons. Everywhere in Canada, even in Vancouver, we get a snowy winter. Snow really does make for some great seasonal pictures.

Think evergreens, snow covered benches, and birds at your winter feeders. If you live with a mild winter, holly is great to photograph. But if its really cold, it will just turn black!

Conservatories and greenhouses... great places for winter gardens. You might find some amazing Christmas displays like Allan Gardens in Toronto. You can take your time inside... and your fingers won't freeze to your tripod!

Make note cards from your seasonal pictures

Why not make photo greeting cards out of your seasonal garden photos?

It's not that difficult. I'll help you.

Great time to learn card making is winter - different religions - different holidays - but always cards!

I'm Christian so I celebrate Christmas. I grew up in “Winterpeg” Manitoba, so every year was a white Christmas. Sure, the cold froze your pee before it hit the ground, but tender winter plants were still part of our Christmas celebrations...

... evergreens, holly, poinsettias, ivy, mistletoe - decorated our homes and our Christmas cards.

But photo note cards are an “any seasonal garden” event ...

If your spring garden is looking fabulous - brag about it! Send out photo greeting cards for a little spring “feel-good”.

Nothin' says lovin' like note cards made with your own hands!

I'm not a “collector” but I do keep special hand-crafted cards for years. Your friends probably do, too!