A GARDEN + PHOTO PROJECT

Today I worked on a garden photography project, which I'll hopefully have more information about that to share very soon!  In the meantime, I am happy to see that our green peppers and hot peppers are really growing nicely. I've been a little worried about our garden in this heat but some of the plants seem to be doing really well. It might be time to look for some pepper recipes! Keep reading below for some garden photo tips!

For anyone who would like to take photographs in their own garden, the photographs were taken in the morning light, fairly early. I set my ISO low, used an f2.8 aperture and metered on the vegetables. To focus on the subjects yet compose them so they were off-center I changed my autofocus points in the camera depending on my subject. I did use evaluative metering because I wanted to get a good exposure of the foliage surrounding the vegetables as well. ​

In most cases my subject was backlit, but if I wanted a specific composition and the sun was too harsh on the subject I positioned myself in between the sun and my subject to create a more favorable condition for taking the photograph. ​

If you aren't used to changing so many variables just try using one of the techniques and see how it works for you. Sometimes even just one change can help you to see your images in a whole new way! ​

-M​

Read my recent Handmade In PA Art + Community blog series on the Emmaus Farmers Market.

GARDEN IN JULY

We had our first cucumbers last night from the garden. I have found that my favorite time of day to take photographs in the garden is right before sunset. I think the light is really beautiful right at that time of the day. We now have cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, and a watermelon. My preference is to focus in on the small details of the garden and use a wide aperture to enhance the composition. If anyone has any garden photos to share, please feel free to post your links in the comments below!​

TOMATOES

​The past year has brought a lot of changes across the board. Career, personal, family---life moves along and it is up to you how you handle everything. This year I chose to add gardening as a hobby. Way back when we were still experiencing winter, (is it even possible to remember a time when we didn't have 100 degree days?) I planted seeds into tiny little cups with dirt. I watered them, cared for them, and impatiently visited them each morning waiting to see any signs of life... a sprout, anything. 

Skip ahead a few months and I am happy to report that today I saw tomatoes growing in my garden for the very first time. The seeds I planted with so much hope and expectation have grown into plants almost as tall as I am, and are now growing tomatoes. I'm excited to see something so positive out of all of the energy I put into creating this garden. Here are a few images of the tomatoes which still have to ripen... ​