Light is the magic in a garden. The most wonderful garden in the world can struggle to excite in rain and gloom. And spring and autumn do special light: because the sun is low, suddenly unexpected things are illuminated. Â And you can get dramatic shadows.
Shadows are not an aspect of gardens that are discussed much and I think it’s easy to walk round a garden not noticing them. So I’ve done some noticing …
And realised that you can play with shadows on purpose if you create the surface. We didn’t do that deliberately with the ruin, but we quickly noticed what a bonus we have when the leaves are off the trees and the sun shines. This is the  wall on the inside of the ruin in dull light:
No sun.
A wonderful flat, empty space for the sun to write on. Like this:
Add sun….
or like this:
Ivy trail….
Sweet?
Flat surfaces can arise unexpectedly. This happened when the sun shone, in a blue sky, through the trees on to the frozen surface of the Reflecting Pool:
Sun, blue sky – and ice.
Sometimes the shape of something is the source of a good shadow. This could have been better if I’d chosen my moment better, but it’s the shadow of our fence –
That’s not our field….
and, at the right hand side, of me. Taking photos of shadows brings up the problem of how to eliminate yourself from the picture. (Sometimes you can find a shadow bigger than yourself to hide in)
Hedges, topiary and clipping all create wonderful shadows –
Having had the meadow cut sharpens the shadows..
Man made structures make good shadows:
And that is Clematis ‘Veddw’ – it’s not in commerce, it’s our seedling.
But not all good shadows have to be sharp edged. I think that the light and the shadow in both these scenes adds a touch of joy to the pictures:
That’s periwinkle covering the Coppice floor…
and –
Those are the leaves of Camassias..
Though – it’s the fact of both the shadow and the light that creates the sparkle, I think.
Like this – it’s all a hymn to the returning sun, really:
You are giving Charles a run for his money! Lovely photographs. I have returned to this post several times to look at the final photo and imagine a comfy chair, a good book and a bottle of good wine. Perfect tranquility. And if I take a photo I try to avoid shadows (not just my own). A rethink of technique is on the cards.
Thanks John – and of course: yes that is the way to enjoy it.
Great idea for a post and some super pics, too. Your’re becoming a photographer!
Well, since you’re turning into a (possibly award winning) writer…..
I think I’ve identified what I don’t like about you Anne: more than anyone or anything else you make me want to continue gardening, and that at a time I’m trying to wean myself of it… đ
Your writing, your garden revive my jaded enthusiasm
But I’m the one who hates gardening….I am sorry if I drag you back to it when freedom beckons. Maybe we should run away together……
Great subject for a post, Anne! The shadows on the flat wall are fabulous.
Isn’t it a great subject!