Back in the day, photography was largely relegated to portraits and vacation memories. But with the advent of digital cameras and camera phones, documenting everyday experiences is commonplace.
UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener MaryBeth Kampman wrote about modern photography conventions for a column that appeared in the Marin Independent Journal over the weekend.
"People are unabashedly taking pictures everywhere — from restaurants to museums, street corners to elevators. Their pictures are of food, shadows, interesting patterns or juxtaposition of unusual objects. They document items they want to purchase in stores or take pictures of their cars in parking lots so they can find them again," Kampman wrote.
She suggests photography can also be a tool for the ardent gardener.
"Don't restrict yourself to beauty shots," Kampman suggested. "Use your pictures to document your garden experiences. I take at least two photos when taking a picture of a plant that has an identifying label — a beauty shot and a photo of the label. It's easy to forget the exact name of the photographed plant."
Also among her digital gardening ideas:
- Take pictures of watering systems, garden designs, hardscape or color combinations you admire
- Go to the garden supply store and take pictures of plants before you buy them
- Take pictures of plant afflictions and pests to send to a Master Gardener who can help diagnose and remedy the problem