Some gardeners are true artists. Their gardens possess the elements of good composition, the juxtaposition of colours that work well together and the placements of rich textures that play off one another. I never know a garden well until I have spent time photographing it. I believe this is because photography slows me down, forces me to examine objects more closely and to search for well-composed areas and interesting colour combinations.

For three summers I taught photography in Giverny, France. Giverny is a small village that was home to the famous impressionist artist Claude Monet in the late 1800s. His garden continues under the care of a Foundation and the town flourishes, as a result, to this day.

During my stay there, students of our school were able to enter the gardens to paint and photograph in the evening and on the one day per week that it is closed to the public. Some evenings, I was alone in the garden. This was a privilege that I will always cherish. When I am photographing alone, I am able to concentrate fully on my subject. My senses are free to explore and to savour the beauty. This is not possible if another person is present or if I must make conversation or as in the case of an instructor, cater entirely to students’ needs. Being alone in Monet’s garden was truly a special, private time.

The photographs included here are from Monet’s garden, my garden and friends'.

All images displayed at this web site are fully protected by copyright law.   They may not be reproduced or used in any form, or displayed in any digital format or on any web site without the express written authorization of Adrienne Herron.