Dramatic Light at Sunset

A trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden yesterday, when the sunlight was drifting in practically sideways creating dramatic contrast, yielded some great black and white photos...

High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden

These were all made in the High Elevation House, part of the Fuqua Orchid Center...

High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The plants in the High Elevation House include orchids that grow at 6,000 to 10,000 feet elevation...

High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Three geographic regions are represented in the High Elevation House: the Andes Mountains; the flat, table-topped "tepui" mountains of Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia; and Mount Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo...

High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Next time you're playing tourist, have your camera at the ready just before sunset when the sunlight is coming in "sideways"...and enjoy making some dramatic photos!

Hydrangea, A Southern Landscaper's Staple

The hydrangea is synonymous with Southern landscapes, as are the magnolia, dogwood trees, azaleas, crepe myrtles, camellias,  and a very wide range of flowering bulbs. Truly, it seems that everyone I know has hydrangeas in their yards...they're in the backyard at my home.

Hydrangea at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Some of the most spectacular specimens are at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, with a breathtaking spring showing in the Southern Seasons Garden. You'll see them elsewhere in the Garden and you'll see a number of varieties.

Hydrangea at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Their color range is quite spectacular as well, ranging from white to more pinks than you've seen at every wedding ever put together, blues that often reflect the bright Georgia sky, and purples that delight the playful imaginations of kids of all ages.

Hydrangea at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Hydrangeas at the Garden can be seen in their full blooming glory as late as August—one of the perks of having enough space to display numerous species. 

Recommendation: Always bring your camera to the Atlanta Botanical Garden (to any attraction, as far as that goes, but especially to the Garden). With our incredibly long growing season, things at the Garden can change a lot in merely a week...sometimes even within a single day! Having your camera ready will help ensure you get to keep the memories you know you'll cherish.

...and the Argentinosaurus said, "Cheeeeeese!"

On a recent visit to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, just as I was leaving, one of the ticket-taking volunteers—noticing that I had been making quite a few photographs—pointed out the one spot in the Museum where a standard camera lens can fit practically the entirety of the 123-feet long Argentinosaurus in the Giants of the Mesozoic exhibition...that's a LOT of dinosaur bones!

Argentinosaurus, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

And it was quite nice of the volunteer to offer his insight. That photo was the icing on the cake of a great afternoon of photo-making. 

So, since he was so nice to share with me, let me share with you.

The spot is on the entrance level of the Museum, just past where the volunteers take you ticket upon entry. Proceed to the railing, overlooking the Great Hall, and just to the right, overlooking the first set of stairs..voila! You're now poised to make a photo that will amaze all your friends and family back home!

Being a docent myself at another Atlanta attraction, I love it when people ask about the best places to make photographs. Of course the real answer is "It depends", because everyone's taste and interests are different, but at least the suggestions are a starting point. 

My point is to not be shy about asking Museum staff or volunteers about great photo spots...go and make some amazing photos of your vacation!