Once again, the Boothbay Region Garden Club was able to take advantage of summer weather to come together outdoors on Aug. 12 for a robust monthly membership meeting under the shade of a big ole tree situated in the Boothbay Armillary Garden.

Programming challenges notwithstanding, long esteemed member and current webmaster, Kathleen Marty, treated the group to an idea filled program focused on “Growing Your Garden Photography Skills.”

Gardens and other nature filled outdoor spaces provide a wonderful opportunity for advancing one’s picture taking talents and Marty encouraged the group to keep a camera near whenever venturing into the garden whether it be to plant, weed or water or simply to sit a spell to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Gardens are full of surprises that sometimes beg immediate capture so having a fully charged battery can help the would-be photographer avoid the disappointment of missing the moment! Morning, sunrise, sunset, after a rain and cloudy days were touted as the best times to take pictures and one might have to get up and out early or linger at the fringes of daylight to catch the best shots. Though the growing season is short in Maine, the starkness of winter and the rich color palette of fall offer a breadth and depth of nature’s subjects not always available in climates of less well-defined seasons.

Marty also talked about the art and mechanics of taking good photos including the use of light and shadows, focusing on a shade garden or finding subjects that pop with color while zooming in or using a wide-angle approach.

Marty then suggested a great winter project! Plan your spring planting by reviewing your collection of summer garden photos keeping in mind what worked and what could use tweaking. Lay out a shade garden or choose a color palette based on plants that complemented one another. Or use your photos as a blueprint to reproduce the same lovely garden you had in 2020.

Whether you use a digital single lens reflex camera with interchangeable lenses or you depend solely on your iPhone for garden photos, the most important thing is to have fun as you hone your picture taking skills.

Watch the News Briefs section of this newspaper for information on next month’s meeting of the BRGC.