Backyard Nature Photography with a Purpose

 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/.