Photography Categories

Wildflowers

From roadside daisies to alpine asters, wildflowers thrive where order ends and wilderness begins. Images in this category celebrate spontaneity: seed heads swaying in wind, poppies carpeting an abandoned field, or flowers breaking through cracked pavement. Include context—distant hills or textured bark—to tell the story of survival without human help. Shoot at golden hour for warmth; use a wide aperture (f/2.8–f/4) to isolate fragile petals against dreamy backdrops.

Gardens

Garden photography marries art and architecture. Formal boxwood hedges, towering delphiniums, and manicured roses reveal our desire to choreograph nature. Capture symmetry, winding paths, and repeating color schemes to showcase design intent. Early‑morning light adds dew sparkle; late‑afternoon shadows accent layered plantings. Details matter—wrought‑iron trellises, weathered urns, or a gardener’s gloves beside a lush border. Keep ISO low (100–200) for vivid color fidelity.

Macro Blooms

Macro shots unveil hidden worlds where pollen resembles meteor showers and petal veins map alien landscapes. Use a 1:1 macro lens or extension tubes; a tripod helps maintain pinpoint focus. Side‑lighting reveals texture, and focus stacking produces edge‑to‑edge clarity. Subjects range from a dew drop refracting a rose to the spiraled heart of a sunflower. Viewers should feel they’re exploring a universe contained in one blossom.