Garden Club of Michigan at Matthei Botanical Gardens

Yesterday I presented my "Making Better Photographs of Your Garden" talk for the Garden Club of Michigan's photo club group. Because the group was already well versed in camera work, I really wanted to discuss ways of elevating one's everyday image-making standards.

Studying works by the masters of art is always a great place to start. My list of favorite artists is usually last in my presentation - today it was first. In no particular order: photographers Haas, Penn, Sudek, Avedon, Wolfe, and artists Cezanne, Still, Motherwell, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, Chardin.

A demo of my process for capturing images was next, and we talked about how to better use the tools of photography.

Amy G. wrote: "Thank you you so much for an inspiring day. I could look at your photographs for hours. They raise flowers to fine art in the way they illuminate flowers' subtle texture, exotic details and glorious forms. You are extremely generous and we can't wait to try a few new tricks!"

Richard T. wrote: "Your presentation was loaded with helpful material and tips on how to make better pics! Those photos in the slide show are captivating enough and we could do a whole session on those alone!"

We also had time to enjoy photographing the conservatory's tropical and desert gardens. A few of my images follow:

Speaking Engagements

Recent talks for the Grosse Pointe Garden Center and the Junior League Gardener's Club were a great opportunity to share my garden images with appreciative audiences.

The Grosse Pointe Garden Center's annual meeting was held at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. My presentation featured the Blossoms images, with an emphasis on the stories behind the making of each of the images. A full gardening year - from the earliest blossoms of spring to the coldest days of winter - was welcomed on a cold and windy, yet very sunny mid-January day.

The Junior League of Detroit Garden Club event presentation was a partnership with Jeff Garland, a highly esteemed architectural photographer who is also a friend and colleague. Visit his web site at jeffgarlandphotography.com. We presented on garden photography from a more technical point of view, covering composition, lighting and camera gear.

It is always a treat to participate in these presentations. We're working on a workshop format to provide even more opportunities to help garden club members make better photographs in their favorite gardens.

Speaking Engagement with Grosse Pointe Women's Club

Presenting my garden photography to a Grosse Pointe War Memorial crystal ballroom filled with nearly 100 women from the Grosse Pointe Women's Club was indeed a pleasure today. We all enjoyed the afternoon and got to talk about gardening for a while. Thank you!

Indian Village Men's Garden Club Speaking Engagement

My "Making Better Photographs in Your Garden" presentation was well received at the Indian Village Men's Garden Club meeting on April 18th.

I really enjoyed my time with an interesting and inspiring group of very dedicated gardeners who diligently care for their homes and have genuine concern for their community.

Visit the gardens on their annual Home and Garden Tour: this year on June 9, 2012. More information on the Indian Village Home and Garden Tour >>

My best reward is feedback from members - like this email I received: "It was a wonderful presentation - everyone I talked to enjoyed it – and they loved your photographs!!"

Making Better Photographs in Your Garden at Assumption Cultural Center March 24, 2011

Learn how to make a photograph like this one
of a Gray-headed Coneflower.

March 24, 2011 Update:

We had a very successful class last night on Making Better Photographs!

The attendees were a mix of interesting photographers who each had a certain subject they felt passionate about. 

Just a few examples: one loved to photograph barns; another birds and wildlife; another, close-up work with nature.

I received heartfelt thank-yous from everyone, so I was pleased that they felt it was worth their valuable time.

One participant said in an email the next day,

"I enjoyed your presentation at the Assumption center Thursday night. It opened my eyes to what I need and how I should approach photography in the future."

All together a great experience for all. Thank you!

Original post: February 11, 2011
I'm looking forward to presenting my "Making Better Photographs" at Assumption Cultural Center on Thursday, March 24th.

We've reserved a two-hour session from 7-9pm, so there will be plenty of time to talk about cameras and digital processes after my prepared remarks are done.

We'll go over the idea that one should "make a photograph" not "take a picture." The act of making a photograph better describes the process.

One should be actively looking at the subject and how it relates to its background, paying attention to lighting and how it reveals the subject, knowing what camera settings can be used to best advantage.

"Taking a picture" is just a grab at success. "Making a photograph" just might ensure success.

Assumption Cultural Center is at 21880 Marter Road in St. Clair Shores.

Call them at 586-779-6111 to reserve your space. $20.

Speaking Engagement for the Friendly Garden Club in Sterling Heights

Update: March 11
What a pleasure to present for everyone at the Friendly Gardeners. We had such a great evening!

I am so pleased that the presentation went well and that I inspired at least a few of the members to get their cameras out and start photographing again with some new insights. 

I even received a nice thank you from the event organizer:

"Thank you-the presentation was excellent!"

Gail & the Friendly Gardeners

Original post February 27, 2011:
Looking forward to presenting my "How to Make Better Photographs in Your Garden" talk for the Friendly Garden Club on March 10th.

I'll be bringing my newly-updated presentation with many new photos and a freshly-polished topic outline.

I feel like I learn as much from the group as I hope they do from my presentation, so it is always a treat to be asked to present.

Some of the new images:

Speaking Engagement for Ferndale Garden Club

So very pleased to have presented my "How to Make Better Photographs in Your Garden" talk to the Ferndale Garden club on Thursday, February 10 at the Gerry Kulick Community Center.

What a great group of passionate gardeners! I really enjoyed sharing my evening with the Ferndale Garden club - and I was pleased with all the positive comments from the group and the level of interest in the question-and-answer session after my prepared remarks were complete.

One of the attendees, Laura M., was nice enough to email me her comments: "Everything I heard last night was extremely positive. I especially enjoyed the presentation! Your hints were extremely helpful!" Thanks Laura!

And I just received another from Sharon F.: "Your presentation was the best one I heard since joining the garden club, as of a couple years ago. What a great presentation idea.  We spend so much time in the garden trying to grow those things of beauty, it never occurred to me to focus on capturing the garden's essence  (obviously, it takes some talent).  I am lucky if I can keep up on the weeding."

 

Sharon also purchased a Hydrangea Paniculata print - and emailed me to say "It's beautiful. Thank you." Thanks very much Sharon! 

 

Here's a new image that was part of the presentation - a white tree peony blossom that I never tire of looking at:

Speaking Engagement for the Three Cities Art Club

Well, it has been a busy time with all the speaking engagements!

November 2nd I was at the Canton City Hall presenting my "How to make better photographs..." talk to the Three Cities Art Club. Turns out the meeting was held in the council chamber, with all the big-shot audio visual equipment - that was a treat. Many thanks to club member Allen Brooks for his persistence in getting it all set up.

What a great group of talented artists! Members brought their new works for the group to choose a favorite. Not an easy task!

Thanks to the Three Cities Art Club members for their kind attention to and appreciation of my presentation!

Speaking Engagement for the Master Gardeners of Greater Detroit

Another fine evening was happily shared with a group of enthusiastic gardeners who were I believe genuinely entertained and hopefully well-informed by my "How to Make Better Photographs in Your Garden" talk.

Thanks, members of the Master Gardeners of Greater Detroit, for welcoming me!

Speaking Engagement for the Lakes Area Garden Club

Sincere thanks for the opportunity to share my photographic knowledge goes to the members of the Lakes Area Garden Club for their hospitality and attention on October 13.

My "Making Better Photographs in Your Garden" presentation went along quite well - after an unexpected computer shut down and restart - something always happens when relying on Vista and a projector to work properly!

I have added a number of tips for improving photographic success to each iteration of my presentation. This time, a few of the ideas put forth in my "Be a Better Photographer by Using Your Heart" post made it into the final presentation.

I look forward to another presentation of "Making Better Photographs in Your Garden" for the Master Gardeners of Greater Detroit on October 28! I'm busy refining and improving the draft and will be ready with some fresh ideas.

Speaking Engagement for the Grosse Pointe Garden Center

Friday, September 21, 2007:

I was lucky enough to be invited to make a presentation of my work and speak about nature photography to about 75 members the Grosse Pointe Garden Center. The occasion was their annual awards celebration. Quite an honor for me, and very gratifying too. One member later thanked me personally, saying that I had provided the spark of encouragement and the practical skills she needed to begin photographing in her garden again.

I had prepared a simple powerpoint slide show of my work (about 100 images) and a rather lengthy talk about how to improve one's photography with 2 simple things: understand the equipment to be a better mechanic, and become a more open-minded, inquisitive artist.

It was the second half of the presentation that most attendees enjoyed most - at least I thought so. I have strong feelings about how the presence of the photographer is what separates 'taking pictures' from 'making photographs' - how it is the expression of the mind of the artist that establishes a unique vision and begins a communication with the viewer.

There was great trepidation as I prepared my slide show and my mini-lecture. Months of planning, many revisions and much practice went into what was just over an hour's presentation. I thought it impossible that I had anything important to say. Yet it came to be that I did actually have something that was quite interesting to a majority of my audience. They were generous with their attention, their applause, and their questions.