2009-02-21

Life in the Garden Part 09: Photography and the Garden Show



Last weekend, I commented on the versatility of a 50 mm f/1.4 lens for a digital SLR camera. Later in the the week, I had a chance to put mine through its paces.

I didn't set out to do it. I just wanted to visit the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. It was the first time I've been to this show and it will be my last. After a two decade run, they decided to end the show after this year.

I went there to get some ideas for my garden, and see if there was any neat new products I needed. There were some interesting things in there, but fortunately not too many jumped out at me. I can come up with plenty of things to spend money on that I already know about. I don't need to find new ones.

About halfway through the show, I realized I was looking at a lot of small green houses that I could probably squeeze on my deck. I guess I kind want one of those now, but I'm not sure that's the best idea.

Most of the stuff at the show was focused on gardeners that have actual gardens. Who'd a thunk? There wasn't too much for containers, but I'm sure I can come up with something.

This is one of my favorite ideas from the show.


I have an old trunk I'm not using. I'll probably set some shelves up in there and add some containers. I like the idea of a Trunk of Basil.

By the way, who says plants have to go in the ground? Several vendors were showing plants on the roofs and sides of buildings. It's an old idea that is gaining more traction as "sustainable living" becomes more popular.



Most of the vendors were selling things on the floor. In that respect, the event was more like a well organized street fair than a trade show. A lot of people were buying things -- big things -- and then poking me with their purchases as they ambled about the convention center.

In addition to all the plants and garden stuff for sale, the show has a garden competition. Different companies and organizations put together display gardens to show what they can do.

The lights were low in this section of the hall, but I still got some interesting pictures because of that lens I mentioned earlier.



I was ready to move into these gardens myself and take a warm comforting nap right there. Alas, it was not to be. Damn security guards.

Regardless, I had a great time at the garden show. If you are interested in gardening, check out a show if they hold one in your area. They area wonderfully entertaining. Just leave the credit card at home.

Tomorrow I'll write more about the lens I used and what I learned about it.

3 comments:

Perky said...

I like the last pic. It looks so colorful & pretty! Good job with the pics :)

Cromely said...

@Perky: Thanks. They had a few that were really neat. Unfortunately, I don't think my landlord wants me driving things into the deck/room of my apartment. They're so funny about those things...

Unknown said...

great picture, you sure has a good sense of photography. What type of camera you use? I still trying to learn photography myself but I only got my old cybershot cam