Squamish
Gardeners’ Club
General
Meeting
Carol Robson opened the meeting. She thanked the members who had weeded, and apologised for not using a blind copy when e-mailing. Garden shovels are available for purchase after the meeting, as are Garden Tour tickets.
Minutes: These were adopted as presented in the Newsletter: moved by Carol Raffaele, seconded by Nairn Stewart, motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: It was proposed by Eleanor Bowcock, seconded by Judy Crowston, that the report, as presented in the Newsletter, be accepted. Motion carried.
Correspondence: None.
However, notices had been passed out at the field trip that “Fashion,
Flowers and Tea” would take place on July 15th at the Petals and
Carol mentioned that Karen Chelswick, who has been key in organising the Garden Tour, is recovering from an operation. Carol will send her a card on behalf of the Club.
Programme: Nairn said that the next meeting is the Social, to be held at the BAG on July 16th. Next year’s programme will be fleshed out then. The November meeting will feature Brad Gelbert from Select Roses. The committee is still working on the September and October topics.
The July meeting will include a de-briefing on the Garden Tour. Members are asked to bring an hors d’oeuvre; drinks will be available for purchase.
Newsletter: No news.
Webpage: No news.
Glenda Begley and Nairn were thanked for providing the evening’s refreshments.
Brackendale Fall Fair: Nairn moved and Glenda seconded a motion that
we participate. Motion approved. A sign-up sheet is available for people to
look after the booth. The booth needs to
be booked by August 1st and will cost $25. A table and shelter will be provided. Set-up is from
Garden Tour: Eleanor distributed kits to those people
setting up at
Eleanor thanked
the volunteers, and said that someone was still needed for Mystic Mountain
Lodge from 1-3. A volunteer was also
needed in Valleycliffe to set up at
It will be necessary to keep track of the raffle tickets sold by category.
Garden owners will likely provide a table and chairs – check with Carol if in doubt.
Any other business: None
Programme: The meeting was then turned over to Nairn, who introduced the speaker, Ellen Grant, who gave a presentation: Down the Garden Path – Garden Photography.
Garden photographs are a way of sharing a garden with others in a non-intrusive manner. It helps focus on a garden, and provides a year-to-year record. It also allows one to be constructively critical. It is a good idea to take lots of pictures, from different angles, using different lighting, close ups and distance shots. Using a digital camera it is possible to erase shots that don’t work, and also to do some editing.
The best light is at sunrise and sunset, as there are no dark shadows. Cloudy days are also good, as shadows are soft.
Try to frame pictures with a natural frame, such as trees, or a fence, etc. Some people contrive a frame, e.g., with arbours. This focuses the eye and highlights a particular part of the garden. Be aware of the background.
Ellen divided her pictures into groups.
1. Plant portraits. Pictures of individual plants. Useful tricks include:
§ Looking at the beauty inside the plant.
§ Single flowers can be very attractive.
§ Try using the zoom.
§ Keep the background simple.
2. Groups of flowers.
§ Usually of one kind.
§ Odd numbers are most attractive.
§ Not too many.
§ Can include buds, insect, etc.
§ Include hardscape, such as fence, as contrast to softness and life of plant.
3. Two or more types of flowers.
§ Try to get contrast, e.g., dark/light, small/large, flower with leaf.
4. Landscapes.
§ Need a focal point.
§ Need perspective – can use pathways, e.g., to focus the eye.
§ Use people/animals to provide interest.
§ Don’t include a lot of sky, as the camera over-compensates for the light. Sky can overpower a picture.
5. Things other than plants.
§ Children and gardens fit well.
§ Pets, particularly cats, fit well in garden pictures.
§ Trees – note bark and moss.
§ Rocks can give character and strength to a picture.
§ Water – gives reflections, sense of calmness, replication.
§ Water is often dark – use as a background.
§ Garden tools – hint at people at work in garden.
§ Statues, arbours, pots.
§ A combination of hardscape, the human element and plants provides instant interest.
§ Props can give sense of story, e.g., book and glasses on bench, rake and bucket by garden gate.
§ Families: use bench or ladder as prop.
§ Brides: the best background is greenery.
Ellen then showed us some wonderful pictures, all taken in her garden.
Remember that Dave Colwell will put up sets of 10 pictures of members’ gardens on the website.