Digital Photography Live In-the-Field@US Botanic Garden

Our DPA instructor presented us with the challenge of editing dozens of his spectacular images of the property and the selection we made does not do justice to the wonder and splendor of Washington DC’s Botanic Gardens with an overwhelming array of floral, tree and plant subject matter in the various gardens, each peppered with charming winding pathways to add to your portfolio worthy images. On top of those photo ops you have architectural scenes available via the historic glass structure of the Conservatory and waterscapes with spouting fountains and limpid pools of water.

Your camera will be overjoyed at the saturated colors and variety of flower photos, and your instructor will help you focus on them in a number of different composition techniques whether a Leading Lines of splendid single colored blossoms for the viewers of your images to get lost in, or a Depth of Field technique to blur a background and focus on a single specimen. Focus on Macro photography to create a photographic parallel universe or go for a broad panoramic peppered with different colors, shapes and juxtapositions for results that create a metaphor of a happy little world where one might imagine hidden elves and other fanciful friends.

Learn the technique of contrasting color photography as well as blended colors which invite a viewer to endlessly gaze at an image that channels the old world created by the Impressionist painters of centuries ago. Fill your frame from edge to edge to allow your photos to bring you beyond the objects themselves to a study in vibrant colors and shapes no matter what the specific objects and plants may be.

As you meander with your instructor and group along winding soothing wooden walkways, you have the option of glorious orchids, cacti, ferns and other flora of every color, which seem to go on forever and ever. Beyond the splendid flowers, develop your shutter speed priority options with the water fountains, caught in stop action clarity or velvety smooth flow.

Then there is the waterscapes, colorful and lovely sculptures within the gardens, set off by oversized proportions, or an array of smaller sculptures nestled within the foliage with peaceful backdrops to create tranquil still lives. Even the ground coverings offer close ups for photographic abstract art as does the glass structure of the arboretum.

Make time for the United States Botanic Garden at 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC 20001.

Each Composition in the Field class begins with a talk with one of our experienced instructors, and then you and your fellow students take a stroll through one of a variety of photogenic locales (in any of the 20+ cities the DPA encapsulates). There is street photography, magnificent interiors, farmers markets, zoos, landscapes, and more, photos of which are included within. These photos are a mix of student and instructor images in many different venues and cities across the United States and Canada.

You will have fun in the three-hour session, learn to shoot strategically, get more interesting photos of the event, and walk away with a foundation to improve your photographs in the future, whether you’re traveling, or at a birthday party and everywhere in between.

Please note – if a class must be canceled due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control we will be happy to work with you to reschedule. If you should need to cancel and require a new class date, contact us. A $25 transfer fee will be imposed without a 3-day notice before the scheduled class.