Picture This Contest for May 2011

I’m thrilled that Alan Detrick has returned as our judge for this month’s Picture This. Alan is a well known garden, nature and landscape photographer. He is the author and photographer of Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers and is the sole photographer for 50 Beautiful Deer Resistant Plants, soon to be released and written by Ruth Rogers Clausen. Alan has lectured and led photography workshops for professional organizations and public gardens. In addition to owning a stock photography agency, he and his wife Linda provide photographic services for landscape architects and garden designers. You can see more of Alan’s outstanding work on his website.

Besides his outstanding credentials, Alan is also a gentleman. He has been extraordinarily generous and flexible in working with some scheduling and subject conflicts we’ve had these past few months at Picture This. The subject he has chosen this month is sure to challenge and excite you!  Fran Sorin

“Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth and you will know the key to photography.” George Eastman

Magnolia sprengeri Sprenger's Magnolia NJ Champion tree

Hopefully, April’s challenge made you aware of the importance of seeing and understanding light in your photography. This month we are going to take it a step further and challenge you to look at light in the macro or close-up world. Many of the concepts are the same but there are important differences.

In macro, as you get closer and closer to your subject, every detail is magnified. Tiny sparkles in a landscape scene can turn into blown out water spots in a close-up image. On the other hand, what does not work in a landscape scene might work as a close-up. The image of the green magnolia leaf was taken in very flat lighting. This lighting would not be suitable for a landscape but the contrast of the green and pink colors works well up close.

Adonis amurensis in snow

Study the light on your subject but don’t forget that light and shadow are partners. Shadows often act as a balance to bright areas. Look at the image of the yellow flowers in the snow to see how important the shadows are in making this a successful image.

When the sun gets too high for landscapes seek opportunities to use the hard bright lighting to your advantage. Shooting the light coming through the pink peony pictured shows off its translucent quality and creates interesting patterns of overlapping petals.

Morning Glory Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue'

One benefit to shooting close to the subject is the ability to modify the light with diffusers or reflectors. The white Hepatica cluster was standing in full sun when I captured the image shown here. I positioned a diffuser between the sun and the blossoms to soften the harsh light.

There is no set of rules when it comes to lighting. Each subject should be considered with the lighting conditions in order to produce the most visually pleasing image. Paying critical attention to the light is an essential element in creating that “magical” image.

Peony close up

Just as golfers have to learn to read the greens or a great fisherman needs to read the water, photographers need to learn to see the light. The subject choice is yours but make it a close up or macro image. If you don’t have macro equipment, get as close as you can. Look at your images carefully to make sure the lighting sets the mood. May’s contest is ‘Lighting: A Closer Look’.

5. ALD_110414-27

One last very important note, HAVE FUN !!!”

RULES FOR ENTERING THE CONTEST

1.  You must have an active blog in order to participate. To be eligible for judging, you need to leave us TWO LINKS – a direct link to the image, and a link to your blog post that includes the image (and that says you are entering the Gardening Gone Wild Picture This Photo Contest )– in a comment on this post. Your links need to be correct in order for your photo to be entered into the contest. If need be, check out previous Picture This contests to see how others have done it.

2. You are allowed one entry per contest; your photo must be able to be copied from your site. That makes it possible for us to collect all the entries in one place for easier judging.

3. The long side of the image needs to minimally be 800 pixels

4. Because of the enormous amount of responses we receive, you can’t change your mind once you enter a photo into the contest.

5. The deadline for entries is 11:59 PM Eastern time on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.

Entries that meet the above rules will be added to a separate gallery page.  If you enter but your photo does not appear in the gallery  within 24 hours, please review your entry to make sure you followed the rules.

About Fran Sorin

Fran’s book, Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening, now considered a classic, was groundbreaking when published as no one had written about gardening in the context of creativity, spirituality, and transformation.

In addition to being a recognized garden expert and deep ecologist, Fran is a broadcaster, journalist, Ordained Interfaith Minister, and Soul Tender.

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51 Responses to Picture This Contest for May 2011

  1. Tropical Nature Photos May 3, 2011 at 2:46 am #

    Hi Fran, I’m so glad to see this new contest. I believe each time I participate, I learn a little. Thank you for the opportunity.

    Here’s my blog : http://tropicalnaturephotos.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-family.html

    Here’s the photo: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy6O9HAo3ZI/Tb-sz96K2cI/AAAAAAAAEZU/4QGRZgDfaEA/s1600/IMG_2959.JPG

  2. Grandma Betty May 3, 2011 at 6:49 pm #

    I am new at this blog stuff. I got you link off of a friends blog. I absolutely love the artistic approach to taking pictures and learning about light. I just have a digital camera but I believe this would be great practice. Thank you for the education. Betty

    Hi Betty,
    Am glad that you’ve found us and are going to participate in The Picture This Contest. It will be a great way to learn and practice. Fran

  3. GreenApples May 5, 2011 at 7:56 am #

    Thank you for having the contest each month. Lighting is always a challenge. Here is the link to the post: http://greenapplesgarden.com/2011/05/05/ggw-macro-picture-this-magnolia-blooming/ and here is the image: http://greenapplesgarden.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/pinkmagnolia2.jpg

  4. ESP May 6, 2011 at 12:43 am #

    Here is my post:

    http://www.eastsidepatch.com/2011/05/gardening-gone-wild-picture-this-photo-contest/

    And a direct link to the picture:
    http://www.eastsidepatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tiny-white_spores.jpg

    Looking forward to seeing the entries…great topic.
    ESP.

  5. Pam/Digging May 6, 2011 at 11:42 am #

    Here is my post:
    http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=11741

    And here is the direct link to my image:
    http://www.penick.net/digging/images/2011_05_06/PPenick_Datura_metel.JPG

  8. Alistair May 7, 2011 at 10:24 am #

    Hi, I maybe was a bit too pleased with myself after purchasing my new camera. Here is the shot which I like.
    http://www.aberdeengardening.co.uk/diary/index.php/a-to-z-of-our-plants/erythronium-pagoda-april-20th/

    Although my post is titled Bergenia, I have highlighted this Erythronium within it.

    http://www.aberdeengardening.co.uk/diary/index.php/2011/04/bergenia/

    good luck everyone, Alistair

  9. Angelyn May 9, 2011 at 11:15 am #

    The blog entry highlights one of my favorite spring flowers:

    http://treehaven.org/garden-conversations/pink-ladys-slipper/

    Here’s the link to the photo:

    http://www.soulfulservice.com/images/110509-pink-lady-slipper.jpg

  10. Joy May 10, 2011 at 5:59 am #

    Hello there !
    This is my first contest to enter so I am the new kid on the block ? haha
    This is my post http://canadiangardenjoy.blogspot.com/2011/05/ggw-picture-this-contest-for-may.html
    and this is my picture link http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVN5Ny3jxAs/TckXJ1SM-RI/AAAAAAAAQxg/uf1E4VE4_tg/s1600/May%2B09%2B11%2B009-1.JPG
    … and yes ! good luck to everyone and lets have fun seeing all sorts of wonderful pictures : )
    Joy

  11. Cathy Chadwick May 11, 2011 at 11:02 am #

    This is the first time I have entered this contest also, and I am not sure if I am doing it correctly… but here is the link to my photo entry, “Inside the Easter Lily”
    http://miraclesandmadnessinanaustingarden.blogspot.com/2011/05/inside-easter-lily.html

    Cathy-

    We need the direct link to your photo but also the direct link to the post itself. Fran

  12. Cathy Chadwick May 12, 2011 at 6:31 am #

    I’ll try this again. (I’m seriously computer challenged).
    Here is the link to the blog post:
    http://miraclesandmadnessinanaustingarden.blogspot.com/2011/05/inside-easter-lily.html
    And here is a link to the photo itself (I think)
    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/–PeYt4mkM1w/Tcqsts1U1_I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/5ki8MJHBI_4/s1600/P5100676.JPG
    I hope this works….
    Thanks.

  14. Judy May 14, 2011 at 11:22 pm #

    I’m actually trying to use the manual settings on my camera now!

    Here is my post:
    http://www.justthegardener.com/blog/2011/unfurling-of-spring

    And the link to my picture:
    http://www.justthegardener.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Crimson-King-maple.jpg

  15. Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade Gardens May 15, 2011 at 5:54 am #

    My photo is of the buds of paperbush, Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Snow Cream’.

    Post link: http://carolynsshadegardens.com/2011/05/15/may-gbbd-an-embarrassment-of-riches/.

    Photo link: http://carolynsshadegardensdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/dscn2519.jpg.

    Thank you,
    Carolyn

  16. Rebecca @ Rebecca's Retreat May 15, 2011 at 7:22 pm #

    Hi–New to the blogging world and the photography world. Here’s the link to the post for my entry: http://rebeccasretreat.blogspot.com/2011/05/finally-rain-in-buda.html

    Here’s the direct link to the photograph: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STApD9KWWZQ/Tb89HOkUrDI/AAAAAAAAAHI/X0tBQUuVJyY/s1600/Passionflower+-+Rain+Closeup+2.JPG

  17. Katina May 15, 2011 at 9:28 pm #

    Thanks for the great topic.

    here’s my blog post: http://gardeninginaustin.blogspot.com/2011/05/rock-rose.html

    here’s the direct link for the photo:
    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q270bDWD7cU/TctEeubA0sI/AAAAAAAAFbU/sxShkq_UmRI/s1600/rockrose2.JPG

  18. Donna@GWGT May 16, 2011 at 1:14 pm #

    Thank you and good luck to all participants. There are some real beauties in this month’s contest.

    Photo: http://orchardparkway.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/daffodilggw1.jpg

    Blog post: http://gardenwalkgardentalk.com/2011/05/15/gbbd-may-magazine/

  19. marmee May 16, 2011 at 5:55 pm #

    i like this months contest because i love taking close~ups. good luck everyone.

    here is my post.
    http://thingsilove-marmee.blogspot.com/2011/05/last-year.html

    here is my entry.
    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFtvLLaKJ6g/TdCD0N14dcI/AAAAAAAANBc/z1TKRBbjF2Q/s1600/IMG_5230.JPG

  21. JACK HOLLOWAY May 19, 2011 at 10:36 am #

    Yet again I’ve enjoyed the process and learnt a lot from working on my entry. Thank you, Fran and all at GWW! Here is my entry:
    http://sequoiagardens.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/gww-entry.jpg
    and here is my blog post in which it appears:
    http://sequoiagardens.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/welcome-viewand-gardening-gone-wild-entry/

  22. Autumn Belle May 20, 2011 at 1:37 am #

    This is the link to my post:
    http://www.mynicegarden.com/2011/05/torch-ginger-flower-seeds-germination.html

    This is the link to my image:
    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7XsfZ6PSzU/TdYJxx5WJEI/AAAAAAAAEBM/bw28WRgeIJE/s1600/P1030476a.JPG

    This is my first time. Hope I get it all correct. Thank you very much for hosting and Good Luck to every participant!

  23. One May 20, 2011 at 8:08 am #

    I’ve finally made the decision to participate with my butterfly shot. I know my butterfly would love the beautiful flowers in the gallery.
    Blog Link : http://onenezz.blogspot.com/2011/05/lighting-closer-look.html
    Photo : http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUVuL7Fpj_4/TdSqjZrRB9I/AAAAAAAAEfc/2TdNMm_PEKY/s1600/IMG_2413.JPG

  24. Donna May 20, 2011 at 4:56 pm #

    Here is the post:

    http://gardenseyeview.com/2011/05/20/a-closer-look/

    And here is the link to the pic:

    http://gardenseyeview.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_4049.jpg

    Happy to be entering this contest…thx!!

  25. Marie May 20, 2011 at 9:34 pm #

    Here is the link to my photo of Anemonella thalictroides in bright sunlight ( or is it Thalictrum thalictroides?) for this competition:

    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77_14zMcpZM/TaEhWKXUBFI/AAAAAAAAlsE/b_LX4n0akmQ/s1600/Anemone+thalictroides.jpg

    And to the post in which it appears:

    http://66squarefeet.blogspot.com/2011/04/flowers-at-brooklyn-botanic-garden.html

    Thank you for this opportunity…I really enjoyed last month’s pictures and winners.

  26. Garden Sense May 20, 2011 at 11:32 pm #

    I had fun reviewing my favorite close-ups from this spring.

    Link to my post:
    http://gardensenses.blogspot.com/2011/05/macro-light.html

    Link to photo:
    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TULOSjlIzxw/TdcsIOyLh-I/AAAAAAAAAro/4ryGtaM8Ul8/s1600/P1010314+-+address.JPG

  27. dona May 21, 2011 at 10:28 am #

    Hi there, I’m new!
    Here’s the link to my post: http://dona-laterrazza.blogspot.com/2011/05/visti-da-vicino.html

    And here’s the link to the photo:
    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pROOiN_mAso/Tdar91msl0I/AAAAAAAAG_A/da-RvOl_KTw/s1600/Pigna1.jpg

    Hope that everything’s ok…
    Thank you for offering this chance!

  28. Rosie@leavesnbloom May 22, 2011 at 5:49 am #

    It’s been so long since I last entered your Picture This competition. I was too late for last months but I’m glad to see that my favourite was chosen as the winner.

    You can view my post here
    http://leavesnbloom.blogspot.com/2011/05/lighting-closer-look-picture-this.html

    and the direct link to the image is here
    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_2DQkdxyyE/TdjmCFEz-iI/AAAAAAAAB8c/4jZnmDsr7ak/s1600/poppy-final-for-competition.jpg

  30. HA / Cameragardening May 22, 2011 at 2:56 pm #

    Thank you so much for arranging this contest, it’s so much fun!

    This is a direct link to the image:
    http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j100/HenrikaGardening/Cameragardening/Magnoliakobusvarborealis.jpg

    And this is a link to the blog post:
    http://www.cameragardening.com/?p=577
    (I’ve got right click disabled, but the link above is to exactly the same picture)

    I see I’m not the only one with a magnolia entry and the competition is fierce :-)

    But, my magnolia outshines every thing else in my garden right now, so it wasn’t an internal contest for me on what to enter!

  32. AngryRedhead May 22, 2011 at 4:44 pm #

    Blog Post: http://notsoangryredhead.blogspot.com/2011/05/lighting-closer-look.html

    Image URL: http://notsoangryredhead.blogspot.com

    There’s some stiff competition!

  35. Liz May 23, 2011 at 5:07 am #

    Hi,

    Here’s my entry for May’s competition:

    Blogpost: http://gwirrel.blogspot.com/2011/05/lighting-closer-look.html

    And the photo: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/Dipodil/stuff/2011/May/01May10.jpg

  36. Craig @ Ellis Hollow May 23, 2011 at 7:50 pm #

    Blog post is here: http://remarc.com/craig/?p=1260

    Image is here: http://ellishollow.remarc.com/images/20110522canaiax2400.jpg

    Thanks (as usual) for hosting.

  37. Teresa May 23, 2011 at 10:12 pm #

    Thanks for the challenge GGW and thanks for Judging Alan Detrick , there are some great photos entered here for sure.

    Picture only:
    http://blog.gardenshoesonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Web-bee1.jpg

    Blog post:
    http://blog.gardenshoesonline.com/index.php/ggw-picture-this-contest-may-2011/

  38. Lazy Composter May 23, 2011 at 11:25 pm #

    Hello,
    Here’s my entry:
    http://www.lazycomposter.com/light-a-closer-look

    Here’s the image I’m submitting in all its glory:
    http://www.lazycomposter.com/light-a-closer-look/tree-dahlia-large

  39. Terri Mc May 23, 2011 at 11:30 pm #

    Here is my entry for May 2011′s contest.
    I learn so much from doing this, thank you!

    Blogpost: http://terristreasures.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/831/

    Link to my photo: http://terristreasures.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/dsc_0015.jpg?w=300

  42. John May 24, 2011 at 10:55 am #

    Hi All,
    Great topic!
    Here is my post
    http://macgardens.org/?p=2399
    and
    Here is my picture
    http://wp.macfusion.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Tulip-Flaming-Purissima-2.jpg

  44. Cathy May 24, 2011 at 6:55 pm #

    I’m another novice who has learned so much by participating.

    Here is a link to my blog post:

    http://thewiedersgarden.blogspot.com/2011/05/gardening-gone-wild-may-photo-contest.html

    And here is a link to the photograph I chose:

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32Kj2JKlI_g/Tdw_XrMAsBI/AAAAAAAABPo/_bepQpwjjds/s1600/2011-05-03+Close-up+Water+Fall+.JPG

    As always, thanks so much for your helpful pointers and a great learning exercise!

    Cathy W.

  45. Diana May 24, 2011 at 8:00 pm #

    I was a bit late in getting over here. Thank you, Fran.

    Here is the photo:
    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbctJEP9NBg/TdxSbwmLGgI/AAAAAAAADtg/4_GosG6GH0U/s1600/an%2Borange%2Bbeard.JPG

    Here is the photo blog: http://simplyuttered.blogspot.com/2011/05/lighting-closer-look.html

  46. Raji May 24, 2011 at 10:00 pm #

    hi,
    Here is my entry for the contest..

    Picture link :http://cheerfuls.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/raji.jpg

    Post:http://cheerfuls.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/ggw-picture-this-contest-may-2011/

    Thank you

  47. Heather's Garden May 24, 2011 at 10:31 pm #

    This is so boring, but I’m entering the same photo that I did last month because I couldn’t come up with one that fit the theme better.

    Image: http://heathersgarden.typepad.com/files/img_3801-resized.jpg

    Post: http://heathersgarden.typepad.com/heathers_garden/2011/05/ggws-picture-this-photo-contest-lighting-a-closer-look.html

  48. Terri McKee May 26, 2011 at 1:29 am #

    For some reason my link photo is very small. Maybe this one will be show it better.

    Image – http://terristreasures.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/dsc_0015.jpg

    Blogpost – http://terristreasures.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/831/

    Let me know if it works as it hasn’t for me on the above entry. Thanks

    Terry..
    Your entry can’t be accepted. You’ve missed the deadline which was midnight on the 24th. Try again next month and get your entry in ASAP!! Best-Fran

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