"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Seeing things in another light.

I've read a few posts recently talking about lighting and best times of the day to take pictures and where the sun should be.  It seems that good lighting and the time I take pictures rarely coincide.  Usually when I have time is when the sun is at it's brightest and really washes out the color.  Last evening I decided to try taking some pictures and see how they look in the evening light.  These were all taken after 7 p.m.

 Rose 'Tamora' was in blazing direct sunlight even at 7 p.m. so I stood in front trying to create my own shade.  I think the color looks very close to true.  This rose was new this year and went from being shorter than the lavender in front to suddenly being quite a bit taller.  It has a very nice scent.

 I love this combination of yellows - Yarrow and Coreopsis both look as bright as the sun blooming together.

 Hydrangea 'Preziosa' is taking on a blue tone this year, the last couple of years it aged to a nice dark pink.  I've done nothing different to the soil.  It was in the shade of the Dogwood tree when I took the picture.

 I've decided this was definitely mislabeled and as a couple of people suggested it's probably Monarda 'Raspberry Wine'.  This is one of the few times I don't mind the mislabel, because it actually looks really pretty with the flowers around it.

 At the end of the flower bed it's still getting a lot of sun even in the evening.  Coreopsis and Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) seem to like all the sun they've gotten lately.

 My Oriental Lilies don't look as good as usual this year.  This is Oriental Lily 'Triumphator'.  Several more lilies will be blooming soon, but I'm really disappointed that the squirrels dug up my very favorites.

 A new Clematis 'Inspiration' that I'm growing on a trellis in the front bed that it was supposed to share with 'Josephine'.  'Josephine' just dried up and withered away.  I've left the roots in the ground for the small chance that it reappears.

Campanula 'Pantaloons' is difficult to photograph no matter what the lighting is.  It is a very soft pink and polka dotted on the inside.  I was happy to notice that the clump is beginning to spread and will probably be able to be divided next Spring.  This year seems to be the year of Campanulas, I've added quite a few this year.

I love the lighting on Hydrangea 'Pia'.  This was the only picture that turned out very well from the backyard.  By late afternoon it's mostly shaded from the house and trees.

We've had such nice weather lately.  After getting off to such a slow start this year we've actually ended up having really nice weather.  It's hard to complain about too much sun while taking pictures, guess I'll just have to keep trying different times of day.
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39 comments:

  1. Dear Catherine, Two professional garden photographers who are friends of mine always take to either camping out overnight or appearing at an alarmingly unearthly hour in order to catch the early morning light for taking photographs.For reasons which they gave but were far too technical for me, this pre-dawn/ dawn light they say is the very best. The garden photographers Holy Grail!!

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  2. Such pretty pictures Catherine. I love the campanulas especially. Hope you and the girls are having a good summer.

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  3. I love how your garden shines, how your flowers speak to you. Your love shines through.

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  4. Catherine, seeing your yellow Yarrow and Coreopsis together has given me an idea. I already have the Coreopsis, but now I'm going to add the yellow Yarrow. They are lovely together. I luv this photo....the greens and yellows together.

    donna

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  5. I have not quite figured out the light in photos. Yours are so pretty Catherine. Glad you are enjoying your nice weather.

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  6. Your pictures always look great no matter the light. I enjoy them all.

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  7. I agree with Tina, your photos always look wonderful. I also cannot keep that type of schedule even though I get up quite early. I usually like to take my photos when I am out there working. I did buy that polarizing lens for my camera and that seems to make a big difference in regard to taking pictures in the sun. I just have to remember to take it off on cloudy days.

    Eileen

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  8. Hi Catherine. Your pictures turned out very well.I have trouble with reds, yellows and pinks when the sun is shining. That just messes them all up. I really love the yellow coreopsis and yarrow together. They make a beautiful picture. Maybe the weather messed with the color of your hydrangea this year. It will be interesting to see what it may do next summer.
    I do not think I will be on Facebook too long. I can't make heads or tales of it LOL!

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  9. It's the same for me - I never have time when the lighting is best. I do find evenings are better than during the day, but I am just never going to get up at 4:30am to take pictures! I agree with everyone else - your pictures are always lovely - as is your garden. Now, please send some of that good weather my way :-)

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  10. I really like these pictures !!! again......a beautiful post today !!!! hugs from Ria.....

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  11. I've experimented with different lighting, and usually early morning or evening seem to work out better. I still have trouble photographing small white flowers like Galanthus, and some bright pinks, like my carnations.

    Your Hydrangea 'Preziosa' is a fabulous shade of blue, and has so many blooms, too. 'Pantaloons' is cute, so it's a good thing you will be able to divide and spread it soon.

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  12. Oh, I think you got some great shots! I can't believe how wonderful your yard looks. The yarrow and monarda and hydrangeas are my very favorite. The pic of the monarda against the hydrangeas was stunning!
    Brenda

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  13. I like taking them at sundown as my point and shoot just works better. Your flowers look wonderful. The photo of the monardia with the purples and blue behind it is a prize winner. I am so impressed with that grouping. Good job. All of your photos turned out great.

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  14. It may have been the time of day that you took your photos but they look really good. The colours are bright.

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  15. You get some great photos, whenever you take them. And thank you - you've identified a flower I have been seeing a lot round here but didn't know its name - red valerian. :-)

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  16. You should get/make a diffuser. Then you can take closeups any time of the day. Otherwise, there's always the old backlighting shot. I have a similar problem photographing some reds, as the camera has trouble reading them.
    I hope your Clematis 'Josephine' comes back. They do sometimes.

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  17. Hasn't it been gorgeous? I've loved every summery evening.

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  18. I agree...the monarda with the hydrangeas is a winning combo! Photographers refer to the hour or so just as the sun rises and sets as the "Golden Hour", and generally, is the best time of day for most pictures, whether they be flowers or landscapes. The slanted light not only adds depth to shadows, but the light is cutting through alot of atmospheric haze and dust, softening the light and often times actually tinting it a warm, golden color. This has the effect of warming colors and making them more vibrant. To be honest, though, the absolute best conditions for taking photos of your garden are on a foggy or overcast day. These conditions mimic a diffuser and offer the best light for flowers and foliage, nice and even lighting, with soft shadows and little glare.
    Scott

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  19. Beautiful pictures Catherine! I really struggle with time of day for photos, mine seem to be either too washed out (midday) or not quite enough light to capture the colours.

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  20. Gorgeous photos! I find my pictures generally look best in the late afternoon/early evening.

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  21. All of your blooms are so pretty!

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  22. The evening light does add a nice touch to your photos. The Inspiration clematis photo was . . . inspiring! Very nice. I keep meaning to get up super early and get the soft sunrise light, but haven't made it out of bed at 4:30 or 5 yet. Maybe someday . .

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  23. I find your Hydrangea 'Preziosa' intriguing. Really? It's a nice dark pink a couple of years ago? How come it is blue this year around?

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  24. Love the pantaloons, Catherine! Your photos are great - no matter when you take them. :-)

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  25. Hi Catherine,

    I love how your garden looks with the evening shadows. I try to take pictures in the evening as well, but usually to escape the heat of the afternoon :-)

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  26. Wow - those turned out great! I'm too impatient to wait for the right light. I grab the camera & go!

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  27. Stopping back by to say I am on blog break to help my brother relocate for a job. I'll still be visiting with you. Hope you have a great weekend.

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  28. Light changes the way we feel...when it's sunny,shady or that more enchanting light of dusk and dawn.
    Lovely shots. The Clematis is so special.

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  29. Your pictures look great and your blooms are lovely! I prefer garden photos taken in the shade - the colours come out better.

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  30. Hi Catherine. Tamora is beautiful!!! I know what you mean about photographing at the 'best' times of the day. Since I work, my photos have to be taken before 6:30 am or after 6:30 pm. Sometimes it's much too dark here, especially in the am.

    I've had clematis wilt and disappear only to return the next spring. Nellie Mosier has done it more than once. Don't five up hope.
    Marnie

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  32. Thats an amazing Tamora Rose. I'd say its in league with Abraham Darby :)

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  33. The pictures are great. Thanks for sharing your photo experiment with us:) I'l have to try some evening shots myself. Sometimes shots with flash after dark are pretty amazing too.

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  34. Thank you everyone for stopping by and for the tips as well. I've learned so much about photography since starting blogging. I just may try getting up really early one morning and seeing how the lighting is.

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  35. Catherine, Your hydrangeas are fabulous! Not only the ones shown in this post, but the lacecaps etc that you showed recently. I especially love the shot with the monarda in front of two hydrangeas. Your photos all look great and they always do. You have such a glorious garden, Catherine!
    Hugs and blessings, Beth

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  36. For a future project. Could we see pictures of the whole, instead of just isolated flowers? It is a pleasure for this horticultural creative critic, to judge and evaluate, composition, contrasts of form, texture, shape and else...Until then.

    From the Caribbean....

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  37. Catherine, I'm a fan of coreopsis verticillata, and I especially like the combination with your red valerian. Nice! -Jean

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  38. oh no ~ what a bummer about 'Josephine' ~ it seems she's been a struggle for you. Maybe it's not meant to be?? I can't say my luck has been that much better tho ~ I only got two blooms this year and now she's not liking being fertilized. Hopefully, like Marnie said, she'll surprise you and make a come back.
    I love talking about photography too. I would say do whatever you've been doing ~ your photos are usually wonderful. I do like the evening light (since I'm never up early in the morning) so that's when I try to take most of my photos.
    'Inspiration' is beautiful. Glad you're having nice summer weather. It will be gone too fast, won't it?

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  39. Hi Catherine, I've found that later, say around 8:30 is a great time for picture taking. The sun isn't quite off the horizon but because it's not beating down on my plants there is less contrast between sun and shade. And then there's always Picasa and MS Picture Manager to smooth things out. Do you use them? I rely heavily on them.

    I'm not really a huge fan of yellow but your Yarrow/Coreopsis combo is absolutely stellar! The color similarities juxtaposed by the different flower and foliage shapes is just outstanding, girl! Seriously beautiful!

    I think the Preziosa is still in flux. Mine looks kind of blue too but it's not finished. I think purple is next.

    I've got 'Raspberry Wine' and it is a beaut all right. Yours looks delightful with the blue hydrangeas behind it.

    Sorry the squirrels are such little devils. I wonder if you put chicken wire around the hole where you plant the lily bulbs the squirrels won't be able to get them. I've heard this works but since I don't have squirrels [cats] I haven't tried it. It does work when set atop freshly worked soil to keep my cats from using it.

    Your 'Inspiration' Clemmie is beautiful. Sorry about 'Josphine.' This same thing happened to my 'Kathleen Dunbar.' I just went out there one day and she was toast. Weird.

    Too warm down here. 97 yesterday and already 79 at 1:00PM today. Hopefully a cool down is on the way.

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