06/23/17

Rose Photography: Fully Open, Stamens Showing

This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series Rose Photography

Rose Photography: Fully Open, Stamens Showing

Rose photography has been an ongoing interest and sometimes a lot of hard work since 2008. Between 2008 and 2012, in addition to working on developing guidelines for judging rose photographs in rose shows, I had an educational website and blog, “PSWD Photography.” That was not carried forward under new leadership in 2012, and I had other things to do.

Recently, friends and acquaintances who are not judges, and some of whom are also not exhibitors, have asked how to do rose photography under the guidelines. Some would like to enter photographs in the 2018 ARS National in San Diego in October of 2018, and have asked for guidance. I decided to do a series on some of the different classes, using my own photographs as examples. This is not any kind of official statement, simply my interpretation of the Guidelines as I photograph my roses. This first pdf is on the class, “Fully Open, Stamens Showing.” I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.

To view the pdf, LEFT CLICK on this link: Rose Photography for ARS Shows: Fully Open, Stamens Showing (A right click will not work; a left click will display the entire pdf for you to scroll through.)

The pdf is also available in PowerPoint form, which I am willing to make available to rosarians wishing to use it for teaching/presentation purposes.

Look for other classes such as “Sprays” and others in the future as I have time.

The best way to learn your camera and roses is to photograph, photograph, photograph. It is also a great way to have fun!

Miniature rose, ‘Child’s Play,’ fully open, stamens showing
Blue Ribbon and Best of Section, Fully Open Roses, 2014 ARS Fall National Rose Show and Convention

06/17/17

More Price Garden, Corrales

More of the Price Garden, Corrales

The Price Garden is always fun to revisit, even if only in the form of images. Today was the hottest day of 2017 to date in Albuquerque. It was nice to be in and working on photographs. These images were taken in May of this year.

A David Austin Shrub Rose:

David Austin Shrub Rose

‘Belinda’s Dream,’ also a shrub rose, even though it sometimes masquerades as something else 🙂

Shrub Rose, ‘Belinda’s Dream’

On this very warm day of late Spring, almost to official Summer, the beautiful blues project a feeling of cool:

Beauty in Blue

Beauty in Pink and Blue:

Beauty in Pink and Blue

Thank you, Tim and Laurie!

06/7/17

Some Gardening Benefits

Ed Note: This post on some of the benefits of gardening was submitted by Maria Cannon, one of our readers. Thank you, Maria.

Help Relieve Depression Through Backyard Gardening by Maria Cannon

Some gardening benefits – As someone who has suffered from depression and anxiety, I have managed to channel those issues through hobbies like quilting, sewing and knitting. But several years ago I took up gardening and it was therapeutic in a different way from my other hobbies. Being outside, digging in the dirt, and being able to watch the progression of my work each spring offers a boost that I feel physically and mentally.

In some ways, you spend most of your time in a box. Think about it. You wake in your house, go straight to your car, head into a building, go back into your car, and head into your home. Spending all that time indoors can be surprisingly tiring.

That’s because you’re a natural organism. Humans evolved in nature, so when people are deprived of it, they suffer. Sure, there’s the physical health problems of poor air quality and sick building syndrome. But there’s also the mental health problems of depression and stressors.

New research is starting to show a surprising cure for both physical and mental health problems: gardening. It’s a way to get outside and be with nature, but it’s controlled and something almost anyone can do at home. Believe it or not, you can help fight depression by building a garden in your backyard.

Continue reading →

06/3/17

The Price Garden, Corrales

The Price Garden in Corrales is as interesting and as beautiful as the Rio Grande bosque on which it is located. Those of you who read my other blog, Susan Brandt Graham Photography, know how much I love to photograph there. Gardening on their property presents benefits and challenges that are different from those in the NE Heights sections of Albuquerque. On the positive side, given its location along the Rio Grande, the water table is not so far from the surface. They have irrigation access, a part of the old New Mexico acequias system. Those of you who read Tim’s blog, Off Center and Not Even, know that he often is up in the middle of the night to open the gates and later to close them. Sometimes there is adequate water, sometimes there isn’t. More challenging, at least in my opinion, are the temperature extremes at night, especially in the winter. “Cold air sinks,”and that is readily observable at their home. I always keep a jacket handy, even in summer, if I plan to be there in the evening. Winter nighttime temps are often 20 degrees colder than at my home. In other places I have discussed the microclimates and environments of the area, and the abundance of Dr Huey roses in Corrales. With a lot of hard work, Tim and Laurie have a beautiful garden that fits well into the natural landscape. I was fortunate to be able to photograph it twice in May, 2017. These are just a few of the images.

Colorful Beauty

Garden Study in Orange

David Austin Rose

Betty Boop, Fourth of July, and Purple Salvia against Adobe Wall

Rose ‘Ballerina,’ a very hardy hybrid musk

Rose ‘Ballerina,’ a Very Hardy Hybrid Musk

Price Garden, Roses

Price Garden, Peonies

Price Garden, Dr Huey, Bamboo, iris, gorgeous light!

This just a glimpse at the Price Garden, and over time I will post more images of their wonderful, peaceful, inviting garden. This is the best of natural, sustainable gardening in a very challenging spot in the Desert Southwest, Corrales in the bosque. I hope you have enjoyed this brief tour.