A Gardener’s Delight

Enthusiasm, Joy, Wonder

There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling.
— Mirabel Osler

Robin McBride seems to find delight all around her — but most especially in her garden. There, she’s enraptured by the smallest of details involving the variety of flowers and plants growing under her watchful care.

I first met Robin when I photographed the Crochet Club at the Lewisville Library last fall. Robin is the instructor for that class, which meets every second Wednesday of the month at 4:00 PM. As enthusiastic as Robin is about crochet, she’s even more passionate about gardening.

The Secret Garden?

Last Saturday I found myself at Robin’s house on Reynolds Road in Lewisville, taking in the scope of her gradually expanding garden.

It’s possible that you’ve driven down Reynolds Road quite unaware of the existence of this little bit of botanical splendor. Currently, while most of Robin’s gardening handiwork is not yet visible from the road, she’s implementing a plan to adorn the front yard nearest to the road.
CLICK for more on Robin and her garden

Springing Forth

Beautiful Blooms

Flowers…are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

The next few weeks will bring us some glorious sights as spring’s arrival becomes more pronounced. I look forward to getting out more and attempting to capture the season’s beauties that will be all around us.

[SIDE NOTE: This photo reminds me of an old-style wallpaper design.]
CLICK to see a CLOSE-UP view of these beautiful blooms

Floral Patterns

It’s All a Blur

Yes, another soft-focus, blurry flower photo! Do you mind? Well, if you do, I promise that the next post will be on something entirely different.

For now, though, while perusing the book I had referred to in the previous post, Botanical Dreaming; Using Photoshop, your camera, and your heart to create inspiring images by Mark S. Johnson, I came across this interesting quote by Katrin Eismann:

For many photographers, sharper is better; but for quite a few the softness, unpredictability, and serendipity of toy lenses and alternative process appeals on a deep emotional level that may be difficult to express in words but is wonderful to explore and learn from.

Eismann’s quote got me thinking and led me to ask you a few questions:

If you prefer soft-focused, dream-like photos, do you know why? Does that say something about your personality? Does it mean you like to “escape” into another world? Are you more an artist than a documentarian?

Conversely, if you prefer sharp-focused, realistic-looking photos, does that say something about your personality? Does it mean you tend to prefer facts over feelings? Are you perhaps someone who likes to “get to the point”?

Just Sayin’

I’m not purporting that one approach or style is better than the other. I simply find this to be an interesting topic, given that I continue to encounter folks who clearly (no pun intended) prefer one approach over the other. And as they express their preference, I can tell that it’s deeply held.

Let Me Have It

So what do you think? Have I shown one soft-focused, or over-saturated, or highly unrealistic artsy photo too many for your own taste?! Of course, in all honesty, although I’ll keep doing that, I do like a really good conversation. So please let me have your feedback.

Meanwhile, if you’re up to it, continue to the NEXT SECTION to see two more soft-focus flower photos. Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself! CLICK to see more soft-focus flowers!

Natural Inspiration

Flower Photography

While I was preparing the photos for this post, I was reminded of a flower photography book on my bookshelf that I eagerly purchased over a year ago but still have not gotten around to reading and enjoying. The book is Botanical Dreaming: Using Photoshop, your camera, and your heart to create inspiring images, by Mark S. Johnson.

The title of the book truly reflects the feeling you get from viewing Mark’s flower photos — they’re dreamy and ethereal. His photos are simply exquisite — far beyond any flower photos I’ve ever produced. I do hope to make time at some point to delve into Mark’s advice and tips for shooting flowers in a fresh, new way.

For more info on Mark’s work and to see more of my recent flower photos, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more flower inspiration

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