The Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont, Inc.
PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES
“Nourish and Inspire Yourself in Nature – Play Outside”
FGCV Theme 2023-2025
Our FGCV Photographers Group is open to all Vermont garden club members who would like to share your photographs with us. You can learn from each other.
The purpose of pursuing this venture is to:
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recognize garden club members’ talent
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promote the appreciation of photography
Our format for 2023-2025:
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There will be two display series for 2023-2024 and there will be two display series for 2024-2025
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There will be a designated time for entry into our theme display series.
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Our format is to have an overall theme for each series to give club members a purpose when taking photos and a reason to perhaps try something new.
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The Photography Committee will work to share a photo related to the theme to get you inspired.
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We hope you will get excited to submit your photos as they relate to the theme.
Garden Club Members are invited to:
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submit a photograph(s) during the twice-a-year display series
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see themes and entry details below
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submit photos via email or phone text
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photo(s)will not be returned
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the photos will be reviewed by the Photography Committee
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The review information returned to the entry club member will be a positive viewpoint and any critiquing on techniques relative to photography.
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Photos will be placed on the FGCV website.
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In each series, the following photographs will be acknowledged with a gift to the club member’s garden club in the following categories:
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Overall Best
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Honorable Mention
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Best Theme
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THEMES
2024-2025
October 2024
Theme – “Autumn Crisp Surprises” - a photo with brilliant changing fall colors &/or bountiful harvest
February 2025
Theme – “Beauty of Winter-Nature up Close” – a photo with winter images TBA
Previous Themes
October 2023
Theme – “Fall in its Glory” – a photo with yellow/orange in the photo
See the Winners
April 2024
Theme – “Spring Unfolds its Beauty” a photo with blue and green in the photo
Nature Themes
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Flowers – floral, tree, horticulture photography in any form
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Landscapes — photos that capture elements of nature, the natural features of land, sky and water. Photographs of scenery, such as farm fields, orchards and gardens, landscape with buildings.
DEADLINES
October 2024
“Autumn Crisp Surprises” – a photo with a brilliant changing fall colors &/or bountiful harvest
Open Date to submit - September 15 - October 31, 2024
Photography Details: Submit original-size photos
Submit Electronically: Doris Van Mullen (djvanmullen@gmail.com)
February 2025
“Beauty of Winter Nature up Close” – a photo with winter images TBA
Deadline: February 28, 2025
Photography Details: Submit original-size photos
Submit Electronically: Doris Van Mullen (djvanmullen@gmail.com)
TIPS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED:
Practice with your phone camera, take a photo of a single flower, close up. Samples below Carolyn Bates has taken on tours, in her garden, and in the Wheeler Park Gardens.
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You do not need to have the entire flower in the photo
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It is best to have even light on the flower instead of bright sunshine
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Look right at the flower from above or from the side
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Try several angles
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The hour at sunrise or sunset, on a cloudy day, a rainy day, will work well
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Try editing on your phone, try lots of different things
TIPS FROM KAREN VATNE:
Here are some things to think about while taking photos. Is there a focal point and is it in focus? Is there anything in the photo, e.g., in the background, that is detracting from the focal point? Do landscapes have a foreground, middle ground and background? Are the colors vibrant or are they washed out or too dark? Is there a good range between light and dark areas? Is the photo straight or crooked? Many photos can be improved by judicious cropping. Try taking photos from many different angles, in different lighting conditions, from different distances, and up close and closer still. Experiment and have fun!