Garden Photo of the Day

A Budding Photographer’s Creative Eye

By: Kim Charles

Fourteen year old, Madeline Patrick, of Newtown, CT shares her garden and nature inspired photography with us.

"I love to take pictures, but mainly pictures of nature and anything I can find in my backyard. My house was built in 1785, so some of the gardens around my house are very old and interesting. My favorite part of taking pictures is playing with different angles and filters, which really makes the photos pop when I am done."

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Comments

  1. jeffgoodearth 07/06/2017

    All are beautifully snazzy and up close and personal. Love them all with the first one being my absolute favorite. Keep playing/experimenting with that camera and have fun!

  2. tennisluv 07/06/2017

    Beautiful photos of nature. I agree with Jeff, the first is my favorite, but I love the soft, old-fashioned feel of the hand-held pretty pink flower/blue pot combination. Fence post has a wonderful rustic feel. Thanks for sharing.

  3. user-7007498 07/06/2017

    Great pics, Madeline. You have an eye for this. Close ups of plants and structures are cool because their have great textures and contrasts that we often miss with our eye, because we get lost in the "big picture". Glad you enjoy photography. Thanks for sharing.

  4. User avater
    meander_michaele 07/06/2017

    You have a true artist's eye, Madeline, and, in the age of selfies for someone of your age, it's quite special that you love to let the magical close-ups of nature fill your lens. The first photo is delightfully reminiscent of an image that can show up as one turns through a kaleidoscope...such a vibrant palette of colors. And, I'm also drawn to the quieter story of browns in the mushroom photo. Thanks so much for sending these in.

  5. NCYarden 07/06/2017

    Very fun and stylish, Madeline. Quite the way to get intimate with Mother Nature's beauty. I kept trying to piece together a garden from each picture, but like all gardens, I'm sure my vision will look different from everyone else's. Enjoyed this perspective. Keep snapping away with that camera.

  6. Doxnmomx2 07/06/2017

    Mother Nature is grand! You've captured some of her work! My fingers wanted to reach out to touch. Thank you for sharing your talent!

  7. chelleisdiggin 07/06/2017

    Great photography Madeline. I love looking at the plants from your point of view.

  8. User avater
    treasuresmom 07/06/2017

    I agree with Meander - you certainly do have an artist eye. Beautiful photos!

  9. sheila_schultz 07/06/2017

    You certainly see the beauty of nature through the lens of your camera, Madeline. You're quite the talented artist already with the world at your fingertips! Thank you for letting us see a bit of what makes you happy.

  10. Coveside 07/06/2017

    You are developing quite an eye for composiition (rule of thirds), for depth of field, and for the subtle detail that many miss: the splinters of wood, the mountain laurel's tint. Thanks for sharing these.

  11. User avater
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 07/06/2017

    You've really got a good, artistic eye, Madeline. Thanks for sharing your art. I recognize the first photo as one of my favorite Coleus and I'm crazy about the last shot of the splintered wood and the soft focus on the background.

  12. VikkiVA 07/06/2017

    Wonderful pictures Madeline! What is the white flower with the starburst center? Vikki in VA

  13. LaurelEm 07/06/2017

    You have a wonderful eye with your camera. Keep up the good work, we may have the next Ansel Adams on our hands.

  14. User avater
    gringopeligroso 07/06/2017

    Ms. Patrick!
    Nice work! I too play with angles and different perspectives often lead to unexpected and sometimes spectacular results. For example, getting up close and personal with May Apple blooms , ( a wilde flower....I think y'all have them in your neck of the woods, too,) requires some serious belly flopping! But, it's a view most folk don't experience!
    Now that the photo labs are on our desktops instead at the film processing places, we can work some magic, ourselves! You might try rotating the 2nd picture 180° and see if'n you like that better. That would put the shadows at the bottom and the bud reaching for the sky.
    Might like that composition better... might not, depending upon the mood you're trying to convey. Either way, tho, it's a great macro! (I wish I had taken that one!)
    Love the modern-art/fractal quality of the opening shot! Chaotic, yet organized!! I can't decide which is my fave. I'm drawn to the last image with the wonderful playfulness of the depth of field. Reminds me of the wonderful split rail fences which were all about the W. Virginia/Virginia borderlands. (Don't know if that's what this is, but that's the memory you've conjured with that shot, in this olde hippy's mind!)
    I'm also drawn to the cactus portrait, as I'm experimenting with repetition in my studies, here. There was a post from Mr. Sifford a couple of days ago using Daylily macros and my fave there was the one frame with double blooms. (Altho all were spectacular!) Anyway, LOVE the repetition, or "echo", if'n you'ld prefer that term!!
    And, the Bromeliad flower!!! Wow!! But, then I love bromes!!
    You're on the right track, as others have testified! Show us some Summer shots later? Hope so!!
    OH, and you folks in New England do Autumn like nobody else!! (Hint, hint!!!)

  15. greengenes 07/06/2017

    Great eye, Madeline! There is so much to see out there! You are off to a running start! Wishing you the best in your life ahead! Have fun! And thank you for sharing with us! It helps us older ones to see things which are simple and beautiful again!

  16. User avater
    LindaonWhidbey 07/06/2017

    Hello Madeline, and thank you for these wonderful photos today. The garden is a great place to perfect your photographic skills, which you seem to have in abundance. Love that first photo with those pops of purple but my favorite is the last which has such a perfect contrast of soft and harsh. Keep up the good work. You are lucky to be learning in a day where you can instantly see your mistakes and successes. Glad you shared the successes with us.

  17. GrannyCC 07/06/2017

    Beautiful photos Madeline. You have shown us your world from a different and interesting perspective. Keep working at your craft you have a good eye!

  18. schatzi 07/06/2017

    You are a fine photographer. It is great to see a young person with a love of nature and a discerning eye. Keep up the good work and send in more pictures anytime - they are really a treat.

  19. Maggieat11 07/06/2017

    Madeline! These photos are lovely! The first is my fave but they are all so good. You certainly have an eye for what makes a good composition and I am delighted that you are so inspired by nature. You have a bright future ahead and I am sure we would all enjoy seeing more of your photography! (And maybe a shot of your 1785 home :-) !)

  20. mjh_36 07/06/2017

    Maddy's got skillz!!!!!!

  21. Cenepk10 07/07/2017

    She sure does !!!

  22. bsavage 07/07/2017

    Nice! I like (what I think are) the mushrooms, and the old wood (fence?) photos the best! Keep up the good work!

  23. user-7007940 07/08/2017

    Nice photos. I wish I could take photos as good as you!!

  24. lynnferda 07/10/2017

    Oh, my goodness, Girl! You've got an eye and quite a talent!

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