When you were first starting to take pictures you probably learned to put the sun behind you. At least that’s what I was taught way back in the ’60s. The results were predictably poor: harsh shadows, squinting little sisters, ugly light, and washed out colors. As you learned more and developed your skills you maybe decided to stay out of the sun altogether. Your dermatologist was delighted and you created nice soft landscapes and flattering snapshots of Aunt Jenny.

But sometimes you’re visiting someplace special and just can’t avoid photographing under midday sun. That’s what I experienced over Thanksgiving weekend on a visit to the delightful Denver Botanic Gardens. I’d never been there and was pleasantly surprised how nice the gardens looked during what has to be the most “off” of the off-seasons. Late November rarely looks good in a garden. Fall is fading and winter hasn’t quite arrived yet. Continue reading →

I was down in Eugene, Oregon last week to speak on garden photography to the Willamette Valley Hardy Plant Group, a nice gathering of passionate gardeners. About 60 folks came out for the program and many let me know they got some inspiration from it.

Since I’d driven over 350 miles to get there I arranged to spend a couple of days photographing gardens in the area. My host, Pam Perryman, arranged for me to visit Roger Gossler and Gossler Farms Nursery outside Springfield. I called Marietta and Ernie O’Byrne of Northwest Garden Nursery and made a return visit to their spectacular garden. My garden writer friend Mary-Kate Mackey has been inviting me to stay at her home in the woods for years and I finally made it. She also introduced me to some of her garden friends so I ended up photographing nine gardens in all. Continue reading →