Flower photography on the balcony
Up close to the plants! The fascinating world of plants and their visitors through the lens.
Online photography workshop
Flower photography on the balcony
The balcony is the photographic hotspot in the immediate vicinity. Unless you have your own garden, there is no better place to observe daily changes in the appearance of plants. Plant photography on the balcony is therefore a good way of documenting the flora and fauna in your immediate living environment and also helps you plan the next balcony season.
The enthusiastic gardener and nature photographer Helge Masch is happy to share his many experiences with you.
Known from
Plant photography on the balcony: a challenge?
Yes, and it is important to be aware of the challenges that this type of photography entails in order to obtain not only documentary, but also photographically and artistically good images.
Procedure of the two-part online workshop:
The first part is about the photographic equipment and the many possible settings. Aperture, ISO and exposure time form the exposure triangle and are essential for well-exposed photos. It is also about the phenomenon of depth of field. On the one hand, this changes with the choice of a different aperture, but also with the distance to the subject. These aspects may sound like photographer’s Latin at first, but they are explained in a way that is easy to understand, even for beginners with no prior knowledge. In the second part, questions arising from the practical exercises after the first part are answered. The discussion of your pictures, which were created from the „homework“ you received in the first part, will then become very concrete.
Available as a recording of the two live dates
Lighting conditions
One of the biggest problems when photographing plants on a balcony is the light. The light on a balcony is often very bright and direct, which can lead to harsh shadows and overexposure. To avoid this, you should try not to photograph your subjects during the bright midday sun. However, if it is only possible during this time, Helge introduces techniques to achieve good images even in full sun.
Background
Another factor that needs to be taken into account is the background. On a balcony, the background is often cluttered and can distract from the subject. To avoid this, a calm and neutral background should be chosen by changing the angle of view. If this is not successful, Helge provides tips and tricks in the workshop for mastering this task of image composition.
Composition
Composition is another important aspect of plant photography. Make sure that the plants and animals are prominently positioned in the picture. Interesting compositions can be created with different angles and perspectives.
Equipment
You don’t need any special equipment for plant photography on the balcony. A good compact or bridge camera with a menu for macro photography or a camera lens with a filter thread and corresponding macro filters are usually sufficient. However, if you want to achieve even better results, only a camera for interchangeable lenses in conjunction with a special macro lens will do. In any case, a tripod and a remote shutter release are helpful, but not essential.
Answers to your specific questions
Here you can get your questions answered by an expert in a way that even beginners can understand.
Online photography workshop on Birgit’s organic balcony
Flower photography on the balcony
The fascinating world of plants and their visitors through the lens
Experience nature with all your senses! See the world of plants with new eyes and develop your own creativity in photography. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, here you will find inspiration and the knowledge to improve your own green photographic vision and enjoy trying out new things.
The organizer
Hello, I am Birgit Schattling
Balcony ambassador with all her heart and conviction from Berlin City
My Vision is that more people are using their balconies and windowsills use — close to nature, to the Self-sufficiencyas Oases of peace and relaxation. For quality of life in edible cities, preservation of the biodiversity, Climate protection and Oases of well-being with exciting Nature experiences.
I can help you with the organic balcony project, Your own dream balcony and at the same time Encourage insects, birds and other animals.
Vita
Birgit Schattling initiated the Organic balcony movement in 2017. it helps (not only) City dwellers again More greenery and self-sufficiency into the cities. It gives practical instructions for Lush, joyful balcony oaseswhich is a boon for People, insects and animals are.
The Berlin balcony gardener, “Nature in the garden” ambassador, Author and Organizer of the 16 Online Organic Balcony Congresses to date Birgit Schattling is Media award winner 2018 of the German Horticultural Society 1822 e.V. In 2017 and 2019, she was responsible for the “European Award for Ecological Gardening” nominated. In 2017, she was awarded a prize in the Green League’s “Toxic-free gardening” competition. Special price for Gardening in the smallest of spaces.
She is a university-certified “Expert advisor for self-sufficiency with edible wild plants”. Ihr Hortus Bio-Balkon gehört zum „Hortus-Netzwerk. Vielfalt. Schönheit. Nutzen“. Sieben Jahre war sie Juror for the “Deutschland summt!” planting competition.
For the publishing house Gräfe und Unzer, she wrote the guidebook “My biotope on the balcony. Experience nature and harvest happiness in the middle of the city”. Published by Ulmer Verlag in the #machsustainable-series “My ingenious organic balcony. With great plant combos & DIY projects for more biodiversity and a tasty harvest”.
Questions & Answers
The photo workshop takes place live and online in the comfort of your own home. Afterwards, you can also watch the recording in the members’ area.
You have permanent access to the recording of the workshop via the protected Bio-Balkon member area. You will receive an email with the access data for the protected member area.
You have permanent access to the recording of the workshop via the protected Bio-Balkon member area.
You can ask your questions live and under the video.
It is a need and a matter close to my heart to “encourage” people to let their balconies, windowsills and terraces green and blossom and make them edible. The aspect of self-sufficiency in addition to promoting biodiversity is very important to me. I prefer to make my offers affordable so that many people can get started. Because I really want everyone to be able to afford to green their balcony and eat healthy food from it. It’s so easy, I’ll help you get started.
Then you can write to me directly on this page (click here) using the contact form or write to me directly at this e‑mail address: news@bio-balkon.de.
Comments from enthusiastic participants about Helge’s lectures for the organic balcony
Online photography workshop on Birgit’s organic balcony
The fascinating world of plants and their visitors through the lens. Lecture with opportunity to ask questions and understandable answers.
Flower photography on the balcony
Experience nature with all your senses! See the world of plants with new eyes and develop your own creativity in photography. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, here you will find inspiration and the knowledge to improve your own green photographic vision and enjoy trying out new things.
We invite you to the online photography workshop on Birgit’s organic balcony:
Hello, I’m Helge Masch
Gardener, nature photographer and knowledge mediator, with heart and camera in the garden and in nature. Let’s discover the beauty of nature.
I have always been fascinated by nature. With camera and rose scissors in hand, I have discovered the world of plants from many perspectives. As a gardener in the Hamburg Botanical Garden, in a tree nursery and as head of the special botanical garden in Wandsbek, and later as a lecturer, I have continuously deepened and passed on my knowledge of plants.
Today, I combine my passion for plants with my love of photography to offer you a unique connection to the green world. Whether you want to learn more about caring for your plants, improve your own photography skills or simply be inspired by the beauty of nature, you’ve come to the right place.
The fascinating world of plants through the lens
With my camera, I immerse myself in the fascinating world of plants. Every leaf, every flower, every fruit tells a unique story. As a gardener and photographer, I combine my knowledge of plants with my passion for photography to show you the beauty of nature in all its facets. Whether delicate petals or imposing treetops — my photographs show the plant world from a completely new perspective.
