We led a small group of Creative Eye members around Kew Botanical Gardens on 23 rd April this year. We took them on a tour of various parts of the gardens and glasshouses before having lunch and to rest our legs at the Orangery Restaurant. In the afternoon we continued our walk to the Temperate House, ending up at the Palm House before everyone went their separate ways. We all had a great day and agreed that Kew is a wonderful place to visit. There are numerous photo opportunities to be had, as you can see from this selection from a few of the participants, some of whom have made the following comments about their images and the visit.
David Jordan FRPS
Joan Jordan ARPS
Selected images from the day
Spikey - the soft texture of the flesh of this cactus contrasts with the physical presence of the spikes to make a strong composition with a tight crop expressing randomness but retaining a strong diagonal pattern.
David Rutter FRPS
Leaf - I was drawn to the soft light in the greenhouse lying across this leaf with the deep vivid green literally screaming to be photographed.
David Rutter FRPS
Abstract Reflections was taken at the ponds outside the School of Horticulture, and although it may appear to be manipulated it is, bar levels etc and cropping, straight from the camera, and i just love the shear abstract nature of the image.
Brian Titchiner
Palm House Hibiscus is of the Hibiscus seeking the light yet captive in the Palm House.
The day itself was a wonderful insight into David’s vast knowledge of IR work, and general all round observational skills of the opportunities for some outstanding photography, when I have visited Kew previously my efforts where mainly in B&W, but felt from my viewpoint colour was the order of the day. The day rounded off enjoying the late afternoon sunshine chatting to Joan whilst waiting for David to catch up with us. So to summarise the day - worth every minute, and that can only be down the good nature of both Joan and David coupled with their undoubted photographic knowledge.
One should also not forget to mention Rebecca Johnson who coordinates the walks and understands the need to get out and about with likeminded photographers, and enjoy both the banter, knowledge as not everything can be reached or achieved on Zoom.
Brian Titchiner
Amid such a profusion of plant beauty, it was difficult to choose where to point my lens - and indeed, which lens to point with!
Pale Heart of the Cactus (above) - I processed two versions of this image to emphasise the effect of the dark outer and pale inner (younger) leaves and overlaid one on the other. The thorns warn you to stay away, but the patterns on the unfurled leaves draws you in for a closer look. Only a spider could be comfortable living here!
Rebecca Johnson LRPS
Pattern of a Fern - The shelter of the Glasshouses at Kew gave us the chance to get close to some spectacular plants. The repeat pattern of this fern attracted me, and in processing I found that reducing the saturation made the image look almost like some sort of stencil, which I think suits the delicacy of the foliage.
Rebecca Johnson LRPS
Corsican Pine by Joan Jordan ARPS
Palm Patterns, by David Jordan FRPS
Succulent Spiral, by David Jordan FRPS
Three, by Gabriella Muttone
Three, by Gabriella Muttone