Fling 2013 - San Francisco Botanical Garden

At the beginning of the 2nd day of the San Francisco Fling, we had the option of attending a morning class with photographer Saxon Holt...of course, I signed up!


Saxon spent a while talking about his technique to photography...what he looks for and how he approaches a subject. He said he's happy if he gets at least one usable photo a day...which makes me feel more optimistic!

Saxon took us to several stations, explaining how he would go about looking for a focal point and a framing device to create a compelling image.


After his presentation, he set us free to explore the gardens...and hopefully, try to put some of his good advice to work! Our "mission" was to get at least one good shot to post on his Facebook page, where he'd leave us feedback.

None of the plant collections called out to me, so I decided to just wander around for a while. Since it was super bright and sunny, I looked for plants that looked good backlit.


Of course, grasses always look good...but especially when backlit.

Plants with little hairs covering their stems are also pretty photogenic.


I love how these Salvia blooms just glow.


The papery petals of this Poppy looked like stained glass!

I wandered a little further, looking for little details, like this spiderweb.


Phlomis are always interesting photo subjects, with their papery bracts and interesting, tiered structure.


I loved these widely-arching and slightly pendulous grass stems.

Another favorite grass for backlighting, Deschampsia in the foreground on the left. Of course, Poppies provide and endless array of interest.


Love them! (BTW...this is the photo I submitted to Saxon.)

I'm so totally smitten by the hairs that cover Poppy stems and buds...they look amazing and surreal...the hairs on this poppy even had a faint red tinge to them


Seriously, when the light is bright anyway...just look for things that look good in that light!


It was already pretty warm, so I moved into a shady spot, where I was greeted by these gently mounding grasses (Festuca, probably).


I really dug the textural contrast here. I wish I knew what that one plant is...I could swear I saw them for sale at Annie's Annuals the previous day.


I'm not sure what this delightful umbel was.


I wandered a little further and was greeted by this dramatic silhouette...I think of spent Dierama blooms.


The sprinklers were going full-force while I ran past this area...I grabbed a quick shot of water-laden stems.


Another quick shot before the sprinklers returned to douse this area.

Heading back to the entrance where our group was gathering again, I noticed this lovely Salvia...soft pink, again, covered with tiny little light-catching hairs...and a persistent bird, intent on taking a bath!


Just as we headed out the front gates, I happened to notice that the sun was at just the perfect angle to illuminate this Melianthus leaf...setting it ablaze with color! I hope you enjoyed this brief romp through the Botanical Garden. I assure you, I scratched the surface...there is much more to be seen!