Photography takes flight

Connect with nature and your own creativity this Art in Nature Day at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. In collaboration with Campbelltown Art Centre and Macarthur Council, the Garden is hosting an afternoon of photography and painting courses with talented local artists on 22 September 2018.

Award-winning local nature photographer Glenn Smith visits the Garden almost every week and is more than happy to share his tips and tricks with those who attend his course.
 
For example, he’ll most likely begin at a favourite stand of gums near to the PlantBank. “The gum trees there are just full of hollows so there are always birds in and around, either looking out or defending their hollows,” Glenn says.
 
 “There are galahs, lorikeets, red-rumped grass parrots, and pardalotes – and because they usually stay in the one place near their hollows it makes for easier shots to start with.”

Glenn is interested in many types of photography including plant, mushrooms, landscape, and wildlife, and says the gardens are always diverse and full of opportunity.
 
“Running workshops in the gardens gives me the opportunity to share my photography knowledge with like-minded people and see people enjoy the garden in a different light,” he says.

Glenn’s course is for photography and nature lovers keen to explore some of the lesser known corners of the Garden.

In addition to Art in Nature Day, Glenn regularly takes photography workshops at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Find out more here. 

For those interested in macro photography, the Garden’s own Seed Scientist and Photographer, Nathan Emery, is taking a course focus on capturing the detail and texture of the natural world.
 
The photography classes are timed to coincide with the Macarthur Nature Photography Competition, which ends on 2 October.

Respected artists Blak Douglas and Anney Bounpraseuth will be hosting unique landscape painting and botanical drawing workshops inspired by the native plants at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
 
Participants will learn practical skills to represent the Campbelltown landscape before then being challenged to introduce design elements that overlay personal and cultural narratives into the landscape tradition.
   

All classes on Art in Nature Day will focus on creativity, connection with nature, and the unique elements of the Macarthur region.
 
Courses are priced from $10 and open to adults of all experience levels.
 
We would love for you to join us for Art in Nature on 22 September. For more information and to book your place for either painting or photography please click here.