Yesterday’s photoshoot took 12 hours. I was relieved to hear Bob was as tired as I was, at the end of the day. We parted ways at 6:45 pm, with a plan to meet at 6:30 am this morning. I was 5 minutes late-I was relieved he was not yet there. Three of the photographs requested were slated by the BHG Art Director to feature winter pots with lighting. This meant photoigraphs taken very early, or very late. Bob and I have been on deck both early and late. I was so sleepy this morning I forgot my camera-pardon this unfocused picture taken with my iphone. I was a little alarmed to see that the lighting in the pots trumped by the lighting from the sconces on the house. I had a feeling I would hear about this.
Sure enough, Bob was not happy about those hot lights. After some discussion, I asked him if he could unscrew the light bulbs in the lanterns. 6:30 am is no time to call an electrician. No doubt, my job was to help solve problems.
This winter pot features strings of mini lights, interrupted every so often by a light cover. A light cover? Years ago a company we bought from sold boxes of plastic spheres with an icy texture-designed to slip over a mini light. What a great idea- these globes of light are so beautiful in our dark season. We have never been able to source them again. When I retire, I may design and manufacture light covers-do they not look great?
I was relieved that Bob was able to do his work, once we dialed down the lumens from those lanterns. Of course the lights in the containers went off midway through the shoot. I disabled the timer long enough for him to get what he wanted. After the shoot concluded, we screwed every light bulb back in, and reset the timer.
He photographed the lights at the shop late in the day. These pictures of mine were taken at dawn the day before he arrived. I was ready 45 minutes before dawn to take some snapshots-this would help him plan. The corgis were unsettled by this change in routine-breakfast at 5:30 am-really?
I never have any need for an alarm clock. I am always up early. But I set an alarm on a little digital clock I have had almost 40 years. I wanted to be sure I was on time. Once I got to work, and had a second cup of coffee, I was happy to be there. The corgis quieted down, and rose to the moment. We have had so little in the way of winter weather, I was delighted for this particular moment in a place I have come to every day for 16 years. I have nature to thank for that. This particular moment.
Bob says he was pleased with his photographs of the lighting in the winter pots at the shop. He photographed from across the street. Really? Like I said, this was an educational trip.
Rob made this pair of winter sculptures for me every year. I never ask for them. I never make any suggestions. What he does is a gift-I treat them as such. They sit on top of a retaining wall at the end of my driveway. They are what I see when I leave home in the morning. They are what welcome me home at night. I took this snapshot of them this past December. They make me certain that there are certain seasonal elements in a landscape that truly do provide seasoning. I would not want to do without them. I take pains to make room for a little seasoning in every landscape I design. What landscape would not be better, given the fragrance from lavender, or rosemary, or basil? Winter pots provide a seasoning unlike any other-especially if you live in my zone.
Late in the day, or early in the morning, these pots light my way, and my heart.
Bob photographed them at 6:30 am the first day he was here. I was not privy to anything he did-I was completely absorbed with unfreezing the lock on the gates. He wanted the gates open. In retrospect, I understand this. Every garden should issue an invitation. An invitation to interact-an invitation to share. I did finally get the gates opened. What Bob photographed-I have no idea.
The first day of this shoot was day and night. I was great fun to be a part of that.