It's All In The Tilt Of The Chin

As numerous as flowers in a garden, there's at least that many opinions on what comprises a perfect garden-flower-outdoor photograph.

Professional:  A professional must produce photos which have subject matter and quality good enough for someone to pay money to possess/use them.
           
Cataloging:  The criteria is a photo only good enough to document either the location and/or the basic physical characteristics of a plant/flower.

Documenting:  This involves the ability to have close-ups and clear accurate color.  It is used to show how the plant/flower looks in different seasons, times of day, locations, weather, maturity, etc.

Hybridizing:  Photos for this process need the same as "documenting" plus often have date stamps and may need to be clear enough to record the markers associated with each plant.

Landscapes:  Composition must be in harmony with the entire photo, not simply focused on one particular plant or flower.  This often provides a more rounded look at beds and the layout you may wish to achieve.

Art:  This involves micro scenes or fractions of plants/flowers which may not necessarily show off the plant as the primary interest of the photo.  The colors may be edited as-well-as distorted.  There may be computer aided editing which may insert, delete or alter the scene.

Competition:  Photos taken for competitive shows must first follow the rules of entry.  Most can not be edited.

Backdrop:  The garden or flower/foliage is used as a backdrop for people, animals, or insect photos.  Placement of the individual is key to a good shot.  Distractions from the subject should be considered prior to the shot.

Weather:  The vegitation is used as a frame or as perspective for the sky and weather.  Having the capability to photograph with low light allows a greater range of events to be used.    

Personal Enjoyment:  These photos can be a varied as the photographers.  A good camera is a must, but, not necessarily the best or most expensive. The ability to zoom or have additional magnification lens.  They may also include photos from other people's gardens, public places, and vacations.  The camera needs to be light enough to not be a burden, produce quality photos, and I prefer digital.  A computer and program that allows you to download and store to an external source.  A software program that allows editing is nice as you take more photos and use them in more ways.

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For an enjoyable day improving your photography skills:  The Galva Arts Council, P.O. Box 29, Galva IL 61434 will be sponsoring a photography class on Nov. 6, 2010 (Sat.) from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Taught by Trent Foltz, Geneseo professional commercial and Midwest landscape photographer.  Bring camera and be prepared to be out doors photographing barns.  $20 registration fee must be received by Nov. 1st to attend.  Call Roger Luft at 309-337-8559 for more information.  All levels of expertise welcome.  Lunch will be on your own.

This is a distorted shot of New Improved Blaze Rose

 Landscape photo of a hare frost.

 Documentation of the characteristics of the daylily.

       Foliage used as a backdrop.

And in the end, this says it well, "There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."  ~Ansel Adams (American Photographer 1902-1984)