Up the garden path
I just wanted to take this opportunity to say a big thank you for selecting me to be the apprentice for the garden photography shoot with Andrea Jones (N-photo 130, November 2021) and all the time you gave up coaching me to be better… That must have been a challenge in itself! Andrea and the N-photo team were great company and made me feel very welcome on the shoot. The setting at Melbourne Hall was also excellent, even if the morning mist we were hoping for didn’t make an appearance in the end! The grounds are absolutely stunning, and the birdcage (and the views from it) and the yew tree tunnel were of particular note to me as well.
I now appreciate that garden photography is very different from the usual wildlife images I take. You actually have a bit more time to compose the shot (assuming the light is okay), and I now see why bracketing is useful in high-contrast environments – something I have never really got to grips with or used until the day of the shoot – although I do need to improve my post-processing skills, particularly blending. I will have to find the best software to do this, possibly Affinity Photo?
I had never really used the Pv button much either, although I was aware, to some extent, that it was for depth of field purposes. I just need to remember to actually use it before getting too excited.
I was also amazed at the huge difference that reflectors make to the final shot and it was interesting to evaluate their effectiveness and how they are positioned. You have also taught me to be more disciplined when it comes to my tripod.
All in all, I feel better equipped to take my compositions to the next level. I intend to put into practice what you have taught me. Thanks again
– I really appreciated the experience and professional input. I would advise anyone to sign up!
Ian Williamson
We’re glad you enjoyed the experience of being the
N-photo apprentice, Ian. Melbourne Hall was indeed a photographer’s delight. Here are a couple more photographs that Ian took on the day – from the birdcage and yew tunnel he mentions. And, as Ian says, he’d advise anyone to get involved, so if you’d like the chance to be our next apprentice, just drop us a line – see page 6…