Backyard Photography
I used to think the best pictures required traveling long distances, but I've changed my mind. Some of the best photo ops happen in my own backyard--literally!
As a nature photographer who specializes in close-ups, I'm constantly on the lookout for details. A year ago, I decided to remove lawn from my backyard and transform the space into a flower garden. Little did I realize how my spontaneity would pay off.
Now I don't need to fill my gas tank and travel in search of a good photo. I just grab my Canon camera and head out the back door. My yard has become a bird sanctuary. My flowerbeds now form a lovely butterfly garden, where butterflies feast on dozens of species of plants. I have opportunities to capture amazing images in my backyard, from lightscapes I've taken early in the morning, to moody glimpses of the garden in the last ribbons of daylight.
This lens is a celebration of nature, a short course on what to look for, and a mini-gallery of some of the photo ops I've discovered in my own backyard.
As a nature photographer who specializes in close-ups, I'm constantly on the lookout for details. A year ago, I decided to remove lawn from my backyard and transform the space into a flower garden. Little did I realize how my spontaneity would pay off.
Now I don't need to fill my gas tank and travel in search of a good photo. I just grab my Canon camera and head out the back door. My yard has become a bird sanctuary. My flowerbeds now form a lovely butterfly garden, where butterflies feast on dozens of species of plants. I have opportunities to capture amazing images in my backyard, from lightscapes I've taken early in the morning, to moody glimpses of the garden in the last ribbons of daylight.
This lens is a celebration of nature, a short course on what to look for, and a mini-gallery of some of the photo ops I've discovered in my own backyard.
"Summer Treasures" Montage
A little about me...
I'm a happily married mom, grandmother, writer, photographer, and product reviewer. I enjoy camping, gardening, history, picnics, and exploring used bookstores. I'm interested in technology, but also look forward to disconnecting now and then.I don't enjoy shopping, and avoid the mall as much as possible. I grow a few vegetables and complain in the winter months when I have to buy tomatoes. I grew up in a small California town, but ended up traveling the world with my military husband. We've been rooted in the Pacific Northwest for almost 20 years now.
Early morning is my favorite time of day, and coffee's on by 5. Autumn is my all-time favorite season. If I could pick the perfect R&R, I'd arrange to be airdropped with my husband into a fully-stocked, remote cabin next to a bubbling stream. (A cruise is not my idea of a fun vacation.)
Just give me a camera and turn me loose for a week, away from the computer, telephone, and doorbell. Ahhhh.
Before You Snap That Photo...
Five things to consider
The components of a good story require a writer to answer the questions, who? what? why? where? when? I apply the same to nature photography when I decide on an audience, object, reason, location, and time of day for capturing a good shot.Life is a constant rush, but those of us who live and breathe photography feel pulled to slow down and step off the beaten path. For me, the "beaten path" is often my own backyard.
When I set up a photo, I consider light first and foremost. Early morning and late afternoon (love that golden glow!) are my favorites. That doesn't mean I can't take some decent photos in-between; it simply means I must plan a little better.
I also consider color, texture, and contrast. I've planted a variety of perennials that provide exactly that. When one begins to die out, another springs up. I love turning my nature photos (many taken in my own backyard) into creative projects at Zazzle.
Distinguished Flower Cartoon Fridge Magnet by Swisstoons
refrigerator magnets by www.zazzle.com
Browse more Hobbies Magnets
Sunflower
What Else?
I've grown to love photographing flowers long past their prime, too. That not only extends the availability of garden photos; it hopefully reflects my belief that beauty has no expiration date. Life at every stage is precious.So, if some of my florals appear less than lens-worthy (one of my "Nature's Treasures" galleries is named Ageless Beauty), it means that I recognized a deeper beauty after it lost some of its petals or developed a tired, droopy stem.
Bee Prepares for Takeoff
Fabulous Books on Nature Photography!
I don't know about you, but I love-love-LOVE photography books. It inspires me to see the work of others, and to read how they produce amazing images. Sharing what we know is part of the fun of photography.
Like a Teardrop
Benefits of a Backyard Oasis
Some of you may have read a lens about my backyard makeover--how I picked up a shovel one day and began digging up my backyard. The work paid off, and I now have not only a beautiful, quiet place to unwind, but an ever-evolving flowerscape waiting to be photographed.The next-best thing to photographing nature in my backyard is to read my favorite gardening and photogrtaphy magazines. I love Birds & Blooms, Outdoor Photography, Backyard Living, and Gardening. The photos make me drool, and they have great articles and backyard projects.
If you're interested in photography, take a look at your own backyard. Make small changes, then add to it over time. If you love photographing closeups of flowers or butterflies, choose plants that will attract wildlife. I added three butterfly bushes (Buddleia), coneflowers, and sunflowers. The result in just one year has been amazing, and I'm told that each year's garden is better than the one before.Which comes first, an eager photographer or the tug of nature? In my case, it was the tug of nature. People who enjoy my nature photos comment that I must have "an eye for detail." That's one reason I've planted a backyard oasis, and it's why I don't have to travel far to create art.
This year, Monarch butterflies discovered my backyard. Goldfinches invited all their relatives, and have been crowding at my feeders for months. I turned an extra birdbath into an open feeder to accomodate newcomers.
My Equipment
I've fallen in love with macro photography. Here are some excellent lenses for capturing floral closeups.
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Digital SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR Cameras
Amazon Price: $389.99 (as of 12/18/2009) 
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Amazon Price: $1,049.99 (as of 12/18/2009)
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Amazon Price: $587.75 (as of 12/18/2009)
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens
Amazon Price: $269.95 (as of 12/18/2009)
Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical IF Macro Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/18/2009)
My Workspace
Photo Topics @Squidoo
Every topic under the sun is covered at Squidoo. I've narrowed your search by providing this list of photo-related Squidoo lenses. Enjoy!
- Is a picture truly worth 1,000 words?
- How can our photos deliver the message we hope to achieve?
- Everything Photography Headquarters
- All things photos - great resource!
- Canon 5D
- All about my camera, which I've been using for two years. (I jumped ship from Nikon to Canon, and have never looked back...)
- Vernacular Photography
- A fascinating lens by someone who rescues old photos, and has a gigantic collection going.
- Add borders to your Squidoo lens photos
- Practical info for lensmasters, on how to dress up your Squidoo photos.
Embraced
A Little Help from our Friends
We all need a little help from our friends, right? Here are some wonderful resources I've turned to now and then. Enjoy!- Art of B/W Digital Photography
- Learn how to improve your black-and-white images.
- How to Effectively Upsize Images
- There's right and wrong way to increase the size of photos. This one's a keeper!
- How Big Can You Print from a Canon 5d?
- For Canon 5D users, here's an excellent link on printing.
- The Art of Selective Focus
- Great tips on selective focus from BetterPhoto.com.
- Anecdotes from a landscape photographer
- In the second of our weekly series of beginners\'s landscape articles, Martin Pettinger looks at how trying a different approach can improve your images.
- 30 Minutes for the Birds
- From Vivid Light comes this inspiring article about nature photography.
Cosmos: The Next Generation
The Challenge
Share your best backyard photo!
Grab your cameras. Head outside and see what you discover early in the morning or right before sundown.
Upload your photo and post a link in the list below.
Photo sharing helps us improve at photographers. That's why I started a photoblog a couple of years ago. I've not only made new friends who share similar interests, but the feedback they've offered is invaluable. A good critique does not have to be delivered with a critical spirit! Most photographers I've met are not out for one-upmanship. They're sincere and caring, and they take photo critiquing seriously.
As a shameless plug, I'm listing my photoblog (Photo Buffet) below. I'd love to see your work, as well. Who'll be next?
Share Your Backyard Photos!
To some people, "backyard" may mean their immediate area--a walk around the block, or around their town. Whatever. Show us the area where you live or visit often.
1
Photo Buffet
Paired with inspirational quotes, these photos wer more...0 points
2
The Way I See It
Jules has an eye for beauty in her own backyard.0 points
3
Cornershots
A walk around the city...0 points
4
Daily Walks | Diane Varner
Daily Walks along the Northern California coastlin more...0 points
5
Mike Moats
Tiny Landscapes0 points
6
A Walk Through Durham Township, Pennsylvania
Gorgeous landscapes & portraits0 points
Leave a Footprint
Sign Seedplanter's Guestbook
Thanks for taking time to visit my backyard. Photography doesn't have to be complicated. Look around your own backyard. What details do you see there?
submit
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Reply
- paperfacets paperfacets Nov 10, 2009 @ 5:21 pm
- Helpful tips and beautiful pics!
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Reply
- TheShutterbugEye TheShutterbugEye Jul 23, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
- Very nice lense and beautiful photos. The garden is one of my favorite places for taking photos as well.
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Reply
- ss834 ss834 Jun 2, 2009 @ 9:41 am
- Your work is beautiful.
Yesterday evening I had the opportunity to capture a grasshopper on a newly emerging grass flower. There really is so much available to us in our own backyards.
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Reply
- poutine poutine Apr 6, 2009 @ 11:47 am
- Love the way you take your pictures.
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Reply
- susannaduffy susannaduffy Mar 6, 2009 @ 5:27 am
- Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
- Load More
Photography in the News
What's happenin' out there...
- 'Grandma photographer' wins calendar contest | Houston gardening | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
- 'Grandma photographer' wins calendar contest
Lisa Gray: Cloning straightens Toyota Center's live oaks
Seed companies boosting nutrition in plants
Wildscapes Workshop & Plant Sale set
Volunteer: Help clear debris at park
Trailing violas will add pizzazz in fall
Sow sweet peas for a bit of nostalgia - South Western grad hopes to inspire orphans with photography - Evening Sun
- Profile of a freelance photographer with a vision...
- Shake Up Your Photography
- Shake Up Your Photography., Popular Photography & Imaging feature articles on photography, cameras, conferences, awards and more.
- CJ Sorg idiotBlog: Backyard Photography
- See what happens between a praying mantis and a camera...
Follow Me (Seedplanter) on Twitter!
Let's talk photography...
- seedplanter
- aka seedplanter
- 1,507 followers
- 1,675 following
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- Bare branches overseeing a field near the cemetery. http://bit.ly/4IQDWo
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- likes this===>"With mirth and laughter, let old wrinkles come."~Shakespeare
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- The dust has settled at my new ArtFire studio. Gallery wraps hung, new prints in place. Onward. http://bit.ly/4BSpTd #artfire #decor
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- @Moomettes Hurray for the lost and found!
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- Last one for tonight: Garden Tour #5===>http://bit.ly/7xDDqz #decor #etsy
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Boomerang
Easy index for this lens
Ever reach the bottom of a lens and want to revisit certain sections? This extra Table of Contents is made for exactly that. Just click and go.
- "Summer Treasures" Montage
- A little about me...
- Before You Snap That Photo...
- Sunflower
- What Else?
- Bee Prepares for Takeoff
- Fabulous Books on Nature Photography!
- Like a Teardrop
- Benefits of a Backyard Oasis
- My Equipment
- My Workspace
- Photo Topics @Squidoo
- Embraced
- A Little Help from our Friends
- Cosmos: The Next Generation
- The Challenge
- Share Your Backyard Photos!
- Leave a Footprint
- Photography in the News
- Follow Me (Seedplanter) on Twitter!
- Floral Photography @Twitter
- Grab RSS to Seedplanter's Porch
Floral Photography @Twitter
What they're tweeting
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- DallasPhoto
- Give the unique gift of photography! Over 11,000 images ranging from landscapes, floral and abstract. http://dallasphotoworks.com
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- SpeJapan
- American Photography Sets (USA) JPY887: I have for sale a set of three beautiful floral photographs. They come.. http://bit.ly/7tqMWA
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Contact me
I'm a writer, nature photographer,and product reviewer who has flipped over the creative potential of Squidoo.
Interests: family (can you s...
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