Summertime and the Roses are Pretty

I love seeing the possibilities of shooting the rose. There is the traditional shot. This requires putting a round rose into a rectangular format. I gravitate to taking part of the rose out of the frame and give the pic an interesting perspective. You can also include the sky to make the color of the rose pop.

AV Mode is my friend

I love using the aperture variance mode to highlight certain elements of the roses. It makes the pictures more interesting and more painterly.

Rose Garden Delight

This is a fun time of year to shoot pictures of roses. I use my Canon film camera and buy good old Kodak 400 S film and bang away. The rose gardens are in full bloom and it is the perfect time to walk around and get intoxicated with the parfum of the rose.

Sustaining Succulents

AGCC's Occupational Therapy department planned a succulent sale with the residents. The residents painted clay pots and repotted succulents from the Therapy Succulent Garden. The sale was a fun way to get residents involved with planting, pruning, cutting, and re planting succulents for container gardening. The money raised went to purchasing OT equipment for Arroyo Grande Care Center's Rehab. This is a fun way for OT patients to use their fine motor and cognitive skills in purposeful activities. Thanks to all the residents and staff at Arroyo Grande Care Center who made this sale successful. 

Happy Fathers Day

               

Today is Fathers Day. I have great memories of my Dad. He loved to tinker. He loved to garden. He loved getting his hands in the dirt. I woke up and prepared this mini shadow box for our AGCC succulent sale as a starter kit. My Dad enjoyed recycling small objects. My sister Anita stamped this box and I recycled it into a succulent starter kit. I guess the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Succulent Beauties

The first and third photo shows the epi (epiphyllum) cactus. I recently transplanted it and put it in a smaller pot. The pot broke during the planting, so I propped it on its side, because I enjoyed the angle of the potted plant. I love gardens with unusual design elements. In the middle photo, I have the potted  plant in an old Pyrex dish. The top photo has an abalone shell for drama.

Magical Succulents

I like to grow succulents. They are slow growing, but in time, if you are patient, they produce beautiful results. They look great in a variety of pots and placed near step stones and unusual yard art and or antiques. I also love the various varieties and colors in the smaller gardens. A perfect solution for small yards with container garden planting.