{"id":12335,"date":"2012-07-19T11:47:00","date_gmt":"2012-07-19T10:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amateurphotographer.co.uk\/uncategorized\/masterclass-with-tom-mackie-great-dixter-gardens-e-sussex-12335"},"modified":"2014-10-23T11:21:09","modified_gmt":"2014-10-23T10:21:09","slug":"masterclass-with-tom-mackie-great-dixter-gardens-e-sussex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/technique\/landscape_photography-technique\/masterclass-with-tom-mackie-great-dixter-gardens-e-sussex\/","title":{"rendered":"Masterclass with Tom Mackie – Great Dixter Gardens, E Sussex"},"content":{"rendered":"

photo by Heather Buckley<\/em><\/p>\n

We’ve all taken pictures in our gardens, but it’s probably safe to assume that few of us have gardens like those at Great Dixter, which runs to some four acres, is designed by a world-famous architect and boasts 18 topiary birds, a formal pool and a Tudor hall at its heart. Great Dixter Gardens, near Rye in East Sussex, is renowned for its fusion of English country-cottage style with the exotic and the experimental, and if it’s colour, texture and architectural features you’re after, there’s no better place to visit. The real gift of a wonderland like this is that it will inspire you to make the photographic most of what your own garden has to offer – colour, contrast and natural patterns.<\/p>\n

On a cool, damp June morning, Tom Mackie and five AP readers meet outside the gates at 8.30am for a quick run-through of what to expect from the day’s Masterclass. The gardens don’t open to the public until 11am, so that gives us plenty of time to go for undisturbed shots with Great Dixter House at their centre before the gardens fill up with people. However, the weather forecast isn’t promising, with monsoon-style rain due to set in at midday. So with the sky sullenly leaden, it’s unanimously agreed that we’ll take photographs until the heavens open, then head to the local pub for lunch, a debrief and a questions session with Tom.<\/p>\n

\u2018With any garden, it’s a good idea to get there before the public arrive and concentrate first on scene-setting shots where people might otherwise be in the frame,’ says Tom. \u2018But with the type of weather we’re facing, it really illustrates the importance of planning your shoot according to the quality of light available.’ <\/p>\n

<\/img>photo by Heather Buckley<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Tom says that if it’s sunny, you can happily go for those broader shots that will also capture the sky, but if it’s bright yet overcast, it’s better to go for closer-range shots. <\/p>\n

\u2018A grey sky in a frame will deaden a picture, but the type of light you get with it is perfect for flower photography,’ says Tom. \u2018It’s nice to see things with a fresh eye, so we’ll have a quick walk around to decide on our main wide scene-setting shots and go for them first, taking care to minimise the amount of grey sky in them. Then we’ll be taking a variety of plant portraits, using a reflector to fill in and keep the contrast as low as possible.’ <\/p>\n

Lastly, Tom suggests looking out for features such as pathways, topiary, fountains and benches. So with that last piece of advice, the readers venture into the lush gardens of Great Dixter with their cameras and tripods in hand.<\/p>\n

Your AP Master…<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/img>Tom Mackie<\/em>
\nA former contributor to AP’s Photo Insight series, Tom Mackie is one of the world’s leading photographers. He has spent many years as an architectural, industrial and landscape photographer, and has a penchant for panoramic photography. Tom has published several books and written numerous articles for photography magazines. He also lectures on photography and regularly holds workshops in the UK and abroad. ww.tommackie.com<\/p>\n

The AP readers..<\/strong>.
\n
\n<\/em><\/img>Heather Buckley<\/em>
\nHeather mainly shoots street photography. She uses a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 16-35mm, 8-15mm fisheye and 100mm macro lenses. \u2018I’ve learned something outside my comfort zone,’ she says.<\/p>\n

<\/img>Peter Goodman<\/em>
\nPeter enjoys macro and wildlife and uses a Nikon D7000 with 18-105mm and 70-200mm zoom lenses. \u2018I wanted to learn so much about composition and using filters,’ he says. <\/p>\n

<\/img>Chantal Clonsdale<\/em>
\nChantal enjoys street photography using her Canon EOS 400D with 10-22mm and 18-55mm zoom lenses. \u2018There’s nothing better than getting one-to-one advice from someone who’s so experienced,’ she says.<\/p>\n

<\/img>Philip Smith <\/em>
\nPhilip shoots landscapes with his Canon EOS 5D Mark II and 24-105mm lens. \u2018I’ve got lots of tips, including balancing the light and realising you don’t need the sun for great garden shots,’ he says.<\/p>\n

<\/img>John Warren<\/em>
\nJohn loves shooting natural history close-ups. Today’s he’s using a Canon EOS 5D with 16-35mm, 70-200mm and 100mm macro lenses. \u2018I’ve really enjoyed it a great deal,’ he says.<\/p>\n

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