During my visit this week I was thrilled to have the macro lens back in my possession. I felt last week my images were lacking in the detail since not having access to it, therefore this week I went a bit over kill with photographing the flowers. Over time I feel my performance with the lens is still improving as just when I think I’ve taken favourite image, I return the following week with an abundance of even prettier photographs. By the end of my placement, I’ll be extremely pleased to hold a beautiful portfolio of various plants throughout the season. This has given myself a slight moral debate on what to do when I leave university next year as I always wanted to get into architecture photography. Although I think I have found another niche in capturing plants. Giving myself food for thought as I may try get into the world of photographing plants for a professional career. However, this might also just be a pipe dream as I know many photographers would be after a job in this field, making it extremely competitive. Nevertheless, I’m going to continue enjoying photographing the scenery whilst I am at the botanics.
Another reason I think I have been able to adapt into this subject matter is I find photographing plants similar to buildings. Whilst composing my shots I’m always looking for geometric shapes, vast use of negative space and diagonal lines. Which translates surprisingly well when capturing plants due to their symmetry. As with the images below they have a sharp dimensional atmosphere with the way I have angled the camera, combined with photographing the pointed leaves/petals of the tulips. Creating a otherworldly effect as the macro lens, reveals details we can’t see with the naked eye. I found this week’s photographs to be much more successful than the previous for these reasons, as I wanted to stay away from capturing the rhododendrons. I had totally exhausted myself with them last week therefore I headed over to the alpine gardens, focusing on the exotic plants under care. This section of the gardens is only open to the public on weekends, hopefully generating interest for their social media since there is limited access.
I also got to finally meet charlotte head of social media alongside their new team leader Ellie, who is planning to take charge of what is now being posted. Both where so lovely to meet and where easy to talk to which completely calmed my nerves. They both praised my work and where really pleased with what I was producing each week. To my surprise they were keen to keep me for as long as possible, as I had already discussed with Lynsey staying for a few weeks longer once the placement was finished. Charlotte and Ellie, both invited me to visit the other gardens across Scotland with them to capture some social media images for their pages! Of course, I said yes, and they plan on taking me to Benmore and Logan botanic gardens in the next few weeks. They are going to stay in touch as we are yet to clarify dates, leaving me delighted that they thought to invite me along. I found this to be a great opportunity that I can’t pass up as you never know what it may lead to.
My final thoughts this week leave me optimistic about the work I’ve been doing for the gardens as I want to continue improving my skills. One of my favourite trees was also in full bloom during my visit, as I absolutely adore cherry blossoms. Due to it being easter weekend the gardens was filled with families flocking towards the tree to get a photograph. Therefore, I ensured to get lots of close ups of the pastel flowers, hopefully boosting the social media posts with its popularity.
Hi Heather - great to see level of engagement - and considering further avenues for your work - would be good now to see more research on what's out their in the field - commissions/publications/etc.