The new garden photography workshops at San Francisco Botanical Garden include a visit with a sectional gardener to help us appreciate what we are seeing.

The Mediterranean Garden on Heidelberg Hill – San Francisco Botanical Garden

The first of these workshops is coming up soon, May 18th, and will be in the newest section of the garden, the Mediterranean Garden on Heidelberg Hill with Jason Martinez.

For all these new series of classes we will meet early in the garden (7:30) and meet the horticulturist for a pep talk on the special nature that section before we begin the class.  The photography will concentrate on the plants, different ways to “see” them, and how they relate to the garden, followed by a group classroom critique of all our work.

Visitors walking in the Mediterranean Garden within San Francisco Botanical Garden

I have been watching Heidelberg Hill evolve from overgrown neglect under the towering Monterey Cypress trees to a garden of prominence in recent years.  Its prime location in the center of the botanic garden next to the Great Lawn has become a great demonstration of plants useful to home gardeners in summer-dry climates.

Papaver rhoeas (Flanders poppy) San Francisco Botanical Garden

The Flanders Poppies at the base of the hill should be in full bloom for the workshop.

Here, Isoplexis canariensis, Canary Island Foxglove, (and parent of the new garden sensation Digiplexis) is featured prominently.

Isoplexis canariensis Canary Island Foxglove, flowering in Mediterranean Garden within San Francisco Botanical Garden

A telephoto lens from higher on Heidelberg Hill looking down isolates it nicely.

Or here, the Isoplexis is seen from the bottom looking up, in context of the hill.

Isoplexis canariensis Canary Island Foxglove, San Francisco Botanical Garden

Surrounded on the hill by Sonchus palmensis, La Palma Sow Thistle, we get another way to appreciate the same plant.

Studying a plant from different angles, before taking its portrait, is how you learn to tell the story of what you see and what you think are its best features.

With the help the horticulturist who oversees the garden, and gentle oversight by your instructor, you will spend a fine morning becoming a better garden photographer.

Register May 18, 7:30 to 1:00 pm. $85.  Bring lunch