Submitted by Barbara DeGraves
We moved to Bowling Green eleven years ago and were fortunate
to find a house with a large acre yard. This barren empty yard without a
single tree became my natural landscaping palette. It has taken over a decade
of planting and nurturing trees, shrubs and flowers to fill the empty land, but
through that process I have found a more focused path for my nature photography.
During these years my interest and knowledge of the
relationship native plants have with the wildlife that depends upon them has
grown. I’ve become completely committed to the native plant movement and
helping to provide habitat for our diminishing pollinator and bird species. With
my art and gardening, I hope to communicate my fascination with the
butterflies, insects, birds and other animals that now make their homes in our
backyard.
While walking my dog around our yard, I enjoy studying the
color, shapes and textures of the plants in all the seasons. These unhurried
observations are my inspiration for finding beautiful tranquil photographic
compositions. After deciding which lens will work best, I usually shoot in the
morning or late afternoon when the light is soft. However, sometimes while I am
working in the yard, I might notice an interesting interaction between an
insect or bird with a plant. I will quickly grab my camera and take advantage
of the moment even if the weather or lighting is not ideal. After a refreshing
rain shower or snow fall, is an especially good time to photograph the flora
and fauna.
Other times some of my favorite images happen spontaneously,
for example, when I’m photographing a flower and an unexpected pollinator
appears in the scene. Or, when I’m looking for some attractive foliage and I notice
a bird across the yard building a nest or hunting for food in a tree. Then, I’ll
slowly move closer, start clicking and hope my camera settings are fast enough
for these fleeting action shots.
Most of my backyard photographs are small scenes and close-up
images. By cropping or experimenting with the angles, I can usually avoid
showing my neighbor’s houses, cars or driveways. Also, I’ve been refining my
outdoor macro photography skills while learning focus stacking.
Usually I edit only a few of my best images in Adobe
Lightroom and Photoshop. However, I save a large number of photos for future reference
and add keywords when I have time. I haven’t settled on one specific developing
style but like to experiment with some of the new presets in Lightroom. I enjoy
the symmetry of cropping in a 1x1 square ratio which works well for posting on
my Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/barbaradegraves/ Barbara
DeGraves Studio). Although, I will crop in a horizontal or vertical rectangle
if that enhances the composition or I plan to print the photograph for an
exhibit.
I hope my photography helps spark an interest in the amazing
biodiversity in our surrounding natural world and encourages people to look a
little closer at the living things just outside their door. Traveling and
hiking are still some of my favorite pastimes that provide fresh new sights. But,
having an outdoor studio always accessible, keeps me inspired. Additionally, it
has been very rewarding to know that our property with all its native plantings
has benefited the local ecosystems and my community. Everyone can add native
plants to their yard, patio containers or even a window sill and they may just
attract a new pollinating butterfly.
If you want to learn more about attracting butterflies and
birds to your yard, I recommend the book “Bringing Nature Home, How you Can
Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants” by Douglas W. Tallamy. Also, check out his
website called “Start a New Habitat, Homegrown National Park” at https://homegrownnationalpark.org/.