Make great photos of flowers, gardens, landscapes and the
beautiful world around us
Gardens are everywhere, all around us. In this long-awaited guide to garden photography, noted botanical photographer and author Harold Davis tackles the subject of garden photography with an expansive brush. In this book, you'll find techniques for photographing extreme macro subjects while becoming a better landscape photographer. From tiny flowers to vast landscapes, your photography can be enhanced using the techniques you will discover in Creative Garden Photography.
What is a garden? The topic of garden photography encompasses a huge range of photographic styles and techniques that can be applied to almost any kind of photography. Learn to use this toolset from one of the acknowledged modern masters of photography.
• Explore gardens, types of gardens, and how best to photograph them
• Create stunning floral macros and high-key imagery
• Learn techniques for adding impressionism to your photos
• Use light and creative exposures to enhance your imagery
• Master close-up focusing, depth-of-field, and focus stacking
• Create your own custom field studio "in a bucket"
• Complete exposure data and the story behind every photo
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
ENTERING THE GARDEN
Understanding Gardens
Garden Styles and Purposes
Different Kinds of Garden Photography
Garden Purpose and Design Informs Photography
OF LIGHT AND GARDEN
Sunrise, Sunset, Blue Hours, Golden Hour
ON LOCATION: THE ROMANTIC GARDEN, SCHWETZINGEN AT SUNRISE, GERMANY
ON THE IPHONE: SNAPSEED
USING A TRIPOD
Using a Tripod for More Creative Options
Tripods for Garden Photography: Materials, Legs, Types of Heads
Tripod Tips and Tricks
BLENDING EXPOSURES TO EXTEND RANGE
BLACK AND WHITE IN THE GARDEN
Photographing the Zen Garden
ON LOCATION: IMPERIAL GARDENS OF OLD NARA, JAPAN
CONVERTING TO BLACK AND WHITE
IMPRESSIONISTIC PHOTOGRAPHY
Camera in Motion
Subject in Motion with Camera Stationary
Creative Exposures
In-Camera Multiple Exposures
Post-Production
ON LOCATION: PHOTOGRAPHING MONET'S GIVERNY, FRANCE
ON THE IPHONE: WATERLOGUE
FOCUSING ON REPETITION
Compositions with Repeating Garden Elements and Patterned Spaces
Best Practices in Focus
Depth of Field
ON LOCATION: THE PARC DE SCEAUX, FRANCE
FOCUS STACKING
DRAGONFLIES, BEES, AND WASPS
Stopping Motion
Getting Close
Dealing with Those that Sting
Auxiliary Lighting: Reflectors, Macro Strobes, LED Lighting
WATER DROPS AND SPIDER WEBS
Refractions in Close-Up Photography
Spider-Web Studio
MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
GARDENS OF THE MIND
PRINTING GARDEN PHOTOS
NOTES & RESOURCES
Off-Beat Garden Photography Tools
Places to Practice Garden Photography
Recommended iPhone Apps for Garden Photography
iPhone Workflow
ImageBlender
NOTES AND RESOURCES
GLOSSARY
INDEX
