570 - Azalea Garden
Today I took a trip to a universe of exceptional color.
It’s about that time of the month where I head to a local botanical garden. It’s like a refresh to my system. Shooting macro scenes until my fingers start bleeding. And then I walk away feeling like a new person.
I’m not even gonna say the metaphor here.
I decided to shoot a little place called Azalea Garden, which is actually named the Asticou Azalea Garden, but I didn’t feel like typing all that out.
Since there’s not much of an adventure here, I suppose I’ll give you a little history about the place. After all, with a name like that, something interesting has to be going on here.
Turns out a dude named Charles Savage bought the land with the intention of creating a garden, and decided to plant azalea plants everywhere. Since the garden was in a town called Asticou, it became known as the Asticou Azalea Garden. Go figure. I was hoping it was named after a crazy French guy or something.
Here’s the first staircase I encountered that I deemed photo worthy:
“Rainbow Road”
Taken with Sony a7rIII + Sony 24-105mm f/4 G
[ISO 2000 ~ 24mm ~ f/11 ~ 1/80s]
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See? I told you this place is a color dream. Just you wait.
As I walked around, more hues began to trickle into my reality like a melting rainbow. The red tones hit me the hardest. One of my favorite instances was this photo here:
“Rojo Infinity”
Taken with Sony a7rIII + Sony 24-105mm f/4 G
[ISO 2000 ~ 39mm ~ f/11 ~ 1/100s]
(Want a Print? Get one here.)
When I first glanced at the scene I couldn’t tell what was happening. But if you stare at it long enough you’ll figure it out.
I think red is my favorite color. Is that a red flag?
Eventually I stumbled upon a scene that contained the infamous azaleas. Apparently Charles Savage purposely planted them on the outskirts of the pond so that they’d reflect in the water. I like the way he thinks:
“Garden Clown”
Taken with Sony a7rIII + Sony 24-105mm f/4 G
[ISO 2000 ~ 63mm ~ f/9 ~ 1/125s]
(Want a Print? Get one here.)
Also that scene looks like a clown face. I’m not sure what that says about my psyche, but OK.
Here’s another fun fact about the place. The whole garden was inspired by traditional Japanese Gardens. Which seems to be a recurring theme throughout the entire United States. I can’t think of a single, well-known garden that doesn’t try to replicate this style. Why are the Japanese so good at gardens? I have no idea.
Sometimes I wonder what a truly American botanical garden would look like. Or a Guatemalan one, of that matter. Let’s get some originality around here.
What’s next?
Hmmm… Should I show you the Secret Bench or the Green Dementor? Let’s go with the Green Dementor. We’ll save the best for last:
“Green Dementor”
Taken with Sony a7rIII + Sony 24-105mm f/4 G
[ISO 1000 ~ 71mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/250s]
(Want a Print? Get one here.)
I don’t even know how to comment on that photo. It looks like arms to me.
But here’s the final photo, the magnum opus:
“Secret Passage”
Taken with Sony a7rIII + Sony 24-105mm f/4 G
[ISO 2000 ~ 33mm ~ f/7.1 ~ 1/125s]
(Want a Print? Get one here.)
Probably my favorite shot in the shoot. I love the full spectrum of color, coupled with the “rectangular” framing of the plants around the bench. Then the subtle statue in the back takes it to the next level.
Alright, well that’s my monthly dose of botanical for you.
In my next adventure I brave a monstrous storm on the beach. Stay tuned.
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