Light is one of the keys to good garden photography. Nichols notes that early morning or late afternoon light often produces the most effective photos, especially in summer. When there are strong contrasts in the photo between light and dark, expose for either the highlight or the shadow. Use side lighting to emphasize depth and the 3- D aspect. The author deals with various aspects of lighting, such as for intense lighting, back lighting, frontal lighting, side lighting, and diffused lighting.
Most gardeners take photos of gardens when the flowers are blooming in spring and summer.
For these photos, think about framing flowering trees against a rich, blue sky or dark background such as dark clouds or tall evergreens. Use soft morning or evening side lighting to emphasize form and color. With so much in bloom in summer, consider shooting individual flowers or flower combinations, such as a bright red daylily set against a blue spruce background. Don't overlook water and vegetable gardens for subjects to photograph. Summer heat and sun may be too intense for the best photos, so try to shoot in early morning or late afternoon.