so gardens for us have always been a fascinating place to photograph whether
fascinating place to photograph whether
fascinating place to photograph whether by day or by night
by day or by night
by day or by night our goal is to create pictures that are
our goal is to create pictures that are
our goal is to create pictures that are clear and precise but that also are
clear and precise but that also are
clear and precise but that also are intuitive lyrical a name for poetry the
intuitive lyrical a name for poetry the
intuitive lyrical a name for poetry the night is so beautiful and strange and
night is so beautiful and strange and
night is so beautiful and strange and mysterious and what happens in a garden
mysterious and what happens in a garden
mysterious and what happens in a garden at night is nothing short of magical
tonight we want to talk a little about
tonight we want to talk a little about our personal projects and how they came
our personal projects and how they came
our personal projects and how they came to be and how they develop especially
to be and how they develop especially
to be and how they develop especially the story at National Geographic this
the story at National Geographic this
the story at National Geographic this image came from a New York Times
image came from a New York Times
image came from a New York Times assignment in 2001 trying to do a story
assignment in 2001 trying to do a story
assignment in 2001 trying to do a story on finding peace and Zen in this
on finding peace and Zen in this
on finding peace and Zen in this absolutely crazy hustle and bustle city
absolutely crazy hustle and bustle city
absolutely crazy hustle and bustle city of Tokyo toward the end of the trip the
of Tokyo toward the end of the trip the
of Tokyo toward the end of the trip the cherry blossoms started to bloom and we
cherry blossoms started to bloom and we
cherry blossoms started to bloom and we were just absolutely fascinated by the
were just absolutely fascinated by the
were just absolutely fascinated by the Japanese passion for this ephemeral time
Japanese passion for this ephemeral time
Japanese passion for this ephemeral time of cherry blossoms and the metaphor of
of cherry blossoms and the metaphor of
of cherry blossoms and the metaphor of that in their life even in the pouring
that in their life even in the pouring
that in their life even in the pouring rain people would come out at night for
rain people would come out at night for
rain people would come out at night for the illuminated cherry blossom festival
the illuminated cherry blossom festival
the illuminated cherry blossom festival so we just found that to be absolutely
so we just found that to be absolutely
so we just found that to be absolutely wonderful and this picture was the germ
wonderful and this picture was the germ
wonderful and this picture was the germ I think and the catalyst for our
I think and the catalyst for our
I think and the catalyst for our deciding to travel down that path to the
deciding to travel down that path to the
deciding to travel down that path to the midnight garden this first group of
midnight garden this first group of
midnight garden this first group of images is from old westbury gardens on
images is from old westbury gardens on
images is from old westbury gardens on Long Island in New York so why gardens
Long Island in New York so why gardens
Long Island in New York so why gardens at night I think maybe let’s start first
at night I think maybe let’s start first
at night I think maybe let’s start first with the concept of why gardens in our
with the concept of why gardens in our
with the concept of why gardens in our landscape work we’re interested in the
landscape work we’re interested in the
landscape work we’re interested in the forces of nature that sculpt the land
forces of nature that sculpt the land
forces of nature that sculpt the land and we’re also interested in the marks
and we’re also interested in the marks
and we’re also interested in the marks that humans leave behind both positive
that humans leave behind both positive
that humans leave behind both positive and negative so this project has to do
and negative so this project has to do
and negative so this project has to do with the age-old human impulse to create
with the age-old human impulse to create
with the age-old human impulse to create beautiful landscapes the garden after
beautiful landscapes the garden after
beautiful landscapes the garden after all is a little piece of paradise no
all is a little piece of paradise no
all is a little piece of paradise no matter how small a slice we were
matter how small a slice we were
matter how small a slice we were particularly inspired by the cultures of
particularly inspired by the cultures of
particularly inspired by the cultures of the Middle East and China and Japan and
the Middle East and China and Japan and
the Middle East and China and Japan and their approach to the nocturnal garden
their approach to the nocturnal garden
their approach to the nocturnal garden is one of refuge inspiration and poetry
is one of refuge inspiration and poetry
is one of refuge inspiration and poetry and creativity we decided to join them
and creativity we decided to join them
and creativity we decided to join them and take that leap into darkness in our
and take that leap into darkness in our
and take that leap into darkness in our research we found thousands of pictures
research we found thousands of pictures
research we found thousands of pictures of city’s parks landscapes all made at
of city’s parks landscapes all made at
of city’s parks landscapes all made at night and although we found written
night and although we found written
night and although we found written Frances to gardens at night there were
Frances to gardens at night there were
Frances to gardens at night there were precious few pictures we could not seem
precious few pictures we could not seem
precious few pictures we could not seem to find any pictures of gardens at night
to find any pictures of gardens at night
to find any pictures of gardens at night so it wasn’t just a leap into darkness
so it wasn’t just a leap into darkness
so it wasn’t just a leap into darkness we were about to take it was a leap into
we were about to take it was a leap into
we were about to take it was a leap into the void as well this is also from old
the void as well this is also from old
the void as well this is also from old westbury gardens I mean to state the
westbury gardens I mean to state the
westbury gardens I mean to state the obvious gardens look way different at
obvious gardens look way different at
obvious gardens look way different at night and that has a good deal to do
night and that has a good deal to do
night and that has a good deal to do with how our eyes function within our
with how our eyes function within our
with how our eyes function within our eyes our retinas that are composed of
eyes our retinas that are composed of
eyes our retinas that are composed of rods and cones at the center of the
rods and cones at the center of the
rods and cones at the center of the retina are the cones and that is how we
retina are the cones and that is how we
retina are the cones and that is how we perceive color but we need a certain
perceive color but we need a certain
perceive color but we need a certain amount of light to be able to see color
amount of light to be able to see color
amount of light to be able to see color for those cones to work around the outer
for those cones to work around the outer
for those cones to work around the outer edges of the retina are the rods and
edges of the retina are the rods and
edges of the retina are the rods and that is our light perception to put it
that is our light perception to put it
that is our light perception to put it out of their way if you’re an owl you
out of their way if you’re an owl you
out of their way if you’re an owl you have a lot of rods in your eyes and
have a lot of rods in your eyes and
have a lot of rods in your eyes and therefore you have terrific terrific
therefore you have terrific terrific
therefore you have terrific terrific night vision a colorblind person all
night vision a colorblind person all
night vision a colorblind person all they though they might have cones in
they though they might have cones in
they though they might have cones in their eyes those cones aren’t
their eyes those cones aren’t
their eyes those cones aren’t functioning and therefore they don’t
functioning and therefore they don’t
functioning and therefore they don’t perceive color the way we do a normal
perceive color the way we do a normal
perceive color the way we do a normal vision is so essentially in a garden at
vision is so essentially in a garden at
vision is so essentially in a garden at night were nearly colorblind this next
night were nearly colorblind this next
night were nearly colorblind this next series of images is from a garden called
series of images is from a garden called
series of images is from a garden called Lotus land which is in Montecito
Lotus land which is in Montecito
Lotus land which is in Montecito California near Santa Barbara and it’s
California near Santa Barbara and it’s
California near Santa Barbara and it’s actually the first garden that we
actually the first garden that we
actually the first garden that we photographed at night also we knew this
photographed at night also we knew this
photographed at night also we knew this garden had a very extensive collection
garden had a very extensive collection
garden had a very extensive collection of silvery succulents and some very
of silvery succulents and some very
of silvery succulents and some very interesting water features since it was
interesting water features since it was
interesting water features since it was our first garden we could only guess
our first garden we could only guess
our first garden we could only guess that this would be very ripe material
that this would be very ripe material
that this would be very ripe material for the moonlight the owner of Ghana
for the moonlight the owner of Ghana
for the moonlight the owner of Ghana vasca actually started out her career
vasca actually started out her career
vasca actually started out her career being an opera singer she didn’t have
being an opera singer she didn’t have
being an opera singer she didn’t have very much success with that because she
very much success with that because she
very much success with that because she had stage fright and she couldn’t keep
had stage fright and she couldn’t keep
had stage fright and she couldn’t keep it were a key not so good for opera but
it were a key not so good for opera but
it were a key not so good for opera but she did have a really great talent for
she did have a really great talent for
she did have a really great talent for marrying exponentially richer husbands
marrying exponentially richer husbands
marrying exponentially richer husbands which she did six times and but by the
which she did six times and but by the
which she did six times and but by the time number six rolled around she also
time number six rolled around she also
time number six rolled around she also had developed a passion for gardening
had developed a passion for gardening
had developed a passion for gardening she was a very eccentric person and she
she was a very eccentric person and she
she was a very eccentric person and she is quite excessive in her garden design
is quite excessive in her garden design
is quite excessive in her garden design so why have two golden barrel cactus
so why have two golden barrel cactus
so why have two golden barrel cactus when you can have two dozen she was
when you can have two dozen she was
when you can have two dozen she was about abundance so we got permission and
about abundance so we got permission and
about abundance so we got permission and to spend four consecutive nights at
to spend four consecutive nights at
to spend four consecutive nights at Lotus land and boy do we ever need all
Lotus land and boy do we ever need all
Lotus land and boy do we ever need all four of those nights just stumbling
four of those nights just stumbling
four of those nights just stumbling around in the dark learning the ropes
around in the dark learning the ropes
around in the dark learning the ropes and issues of how to make pictures this
and issues of how to make pictures this
and issues of how to make pictures this way for years I had been making
way for years I had been making
way for years I had been making landscape pictures and always had to
landscape pictures and always had to
landscape pictures and always had to translate the real world back into black
translate the real world back into black
translate the real world back into black and white I would previz it now for the
and white I would previz it now for the
and white I would previz it now for the first time what was before me was as I
first time what was before me was as I
first time what was before me was as I would see it later in a print I I would
would see it later in a print I I would
would see it later in a print I I would look through the viewfinder and see
look through the viewfinder and see
look through the viewfinder and see black and white pictures I was like a
black and white pictures I was like a
black and white pictures I was like a kid in a candy store now my eyes not be
kid in a candy store now my eyes not be
kid in a candy store now my eyes not be able might not be able to perceive color
able might not be able to perceive color
able might not be able to perceive color at night but with a very long exposure
at night but with a very long exposure
at night but with a very long exposure filmed this quite well recording it the
filmed this quite well recording it the
filmed this quite well recording it the sky is black right I always thought it
sky is black right I always thought it
sky is black right I always thought it was but what happens here film brings it
was but what happens here film brings it
was but what happens here film brings it back to deep blue I could not see any of
back to deep blue I could not see any of
back to deep blue I could not see any of those dark greens back there and the
those dark greens back there and the
those dark greens back there and the flower forget it I mean at best you
flower forget it I mean at best you
flower forget it I mean at best you might guess that there’s color in that
might guess that there’s color in that
might guess that there’s color in that flower but red is actually the first
flower but red is actually the first
flower but red is actually the first color to go at night so it was my turn
color to go at night so it was my turn
color to go at night so it was my turn to reimagine what this black and white
to reimagine what this black and white
to reimagine what this black and white world in front of me was going to look
world in front of me was going to look
world in front of me was going to look like in color in our reading about
like in color in our reading about
like in color in our reading about gardens at night had come across
gardens at night had come across
gardens at night had come across numerous references to how extraordinary
numerous references to how extraordinary
numerous references to how extraordinary the aromas of night-blooming flowers are
the aromas of night-blooming flowers are
the aromas of night-blooming flowers are that they’re absolutely intoxicating and
that they’re absolutely intoxicating and
that they’re absolutely intoxicating and until making this picture of the night
until making this picture of the night
until making this picture of the night blooming Saguaro at Lotus land I had
blooming Saguaro at Lotus land I had
blooming Saguaro at Lotus land I had never experienced it I mean the reason
never experienced it I mean the reason
never experienced it I mean the reason why these nighttime flowers are so
why these nighttime flowers are so
why these nighttime flowers are so fragrant is that the pollinators that
fragrant is that the pollinators that
fragrant is that the pollinators that they need to attract have very poor
they need to attract have very poor
they need to attract have very poor vision and they need to be lured to
vision and they need to be lured to
vision and they need to be lured to those blossoms by the scent
those blossoms by the scent
those blossoms by the scent every time we get permission to
every time we get permission to
every time we get permission to photograph a new garden we have a
photograph a new garden we have a
photograph a new garden we have a checklist that we go over with the
checklist that we go over with the
checklist that we go over with the director or the security people I mean
director or the security people I mean
director or the security people I mean we’re about to be locked in for the
we’re about to be locked in for the
we’re about to be locked in for the night and we have to make sure that
night and we have to make sure that
night and we have to make sure that we’ve accounted for everything so the
we’ve accounted for everything so the
we’ve accounted for everything so the list goes something like this how do we
list goes something like this how do we
list goes something like this how do we get out when we’re finished is there a
get out when we’re finished is there a
get out when we’re finished is there a bathroom open what’s the phone number of
bathroom open what’s the phone number of
bathroom open what’s the phone number of security are all the lights turned off
security are all the lights turned off
security are all the lights turned off and please do leave the fountains turned
and please do leave the fountains turned
and please do leave the fountains turned on when I was making this picture at
on when I was making this picture at
on when I was making this picture at Lotus land I had another camera set up
Lotus land I had another camera set up
Lotus land I had another camera set up on the great lawn and not long into that
on the great lawn and not long into that
on the great lawn and not long into that exposure and I heard this sound and I
exposure and I heard this sound and I
exposure and I heard this sound and I knew that there was something that we
knew that there was something that we
knew that there was something that we had forgotten to put on our checklist I
had forgotten to put on our checklist I
had forgotten to put on our checklist I had to run through a gauntlet of
had to run through a gauntlet of
had to run through a gauntlet of sprinklers to go rescue my camera this
sprinklers to go rescue my camera this
sprinklers to go rescue my camera this was november and what i can tell you is
was november and what i can tell you is
was november and what i can tell you is i don’t recommend taking outdoor showers
i don’t recommend taking outdoor showers
i don’t recommend taking outdoor showers on the pacific coast at 3am and you can
on the pacific coast at 3am and you can
on the pacific coast at 3am and you can be sure that please turn off the
be sure that please turn off the
be sure that please turn off the automated sprinkler systems went to the
automated sprinkler systems went to the
automated sprinkler systems went to the very top of our list this image was made
very top of our list this image was made
very top of our list this image was made on our last night at Lotus land and we
on our last night at Lotus land and we
on our last night at Lotus land and we you know we’re checking weather
you know we’re checking weather
you know we’re checking weather conditions and all of that but this
conditions and all of that but this
conditions and all of that but this unexpected fog rolled in from the
unexpected fog rolled in from the
unexpected fog rolled in from the Pacific Coast and both of us guest
Pacific Coast and both of us guest
Pacific Coast and both of us guest moonlight is beautiful enough on its own
moonlight is beautiful enough on its own
moonlight is beautiful enough on its own but when it’s refracted and diffused by
but when it’s refracted and diffused by
but when it’s refracted and diffused by fog it’s just really extraordinary and
fog it’s just really extraordinary and
fog it’s just really extraordinary and have to say this was one of the most
have to say this was one of the most
have to say this was one of the most magical moments and as quickly as it
magical moments and as quickly as it
magical moments and as quickly as it came in it was gone poof I think we each
came in it was gone poof I think we each
came in it was gone poof I think we each got one exposure so this next group is
got one exposure so this next group is
got one exposure so this next group is from the Huntington gardens and San
from the Huntington gardens and San
from the Huntington gardens and San Marino California it contains one of the
Marino California it contains one of the
Marino California it contains one of the world’s premier desert Gardens one of
world’s premier desert Gardens one of
world’s premier desert Gardens one of our favorites and what we learned from
our favorites and what we learned from
our favorites and what we learned from Lotus land was that silvery plants like
Lotus land was that silvery plants like
Lotus land was that silvery plants like this old man cactus look really really
this old man cactus look really really
this old man cactus look really really cool when
cool when
cool when catch the light of the full moon so if
catch the light of the full moon so if
catch the light of the full moon so if you’re really going to photograph only
you’re really going to photograph only
you’re really going to photograph only by the light of the full moon you have
by the light of the full moon you have
by the light of the full moon you have about four ideal nights out of the whole
about four ideal nights out of the whole
about four ideal nights out of the whole month to shoot that’s when the moon is
month to shoot that’s when the moon is
month to shoot that’s when the moon is brightest and if you get some miserable
brightest and if you get some miserable
brightest and if you get some miserable weather in those four nights you’re out
weather in those four nights you’re out
weather in those four nights you’re out of luck until the next month sometimes
of luck until the next month sometimes
of luck until the next month sometimes we do get a little help from artificial
we do get a little help from artificial
we do get a little help from artificial lighting when I was making this picture
lighting when I was making this picture
lighting when I was making this picture I was backed up against a greenhouse and
I was backed up against a greenhouse and
I was backed up against a greenhouse and there was some ambient light coming off
there was some ambient light coming off
there was some ambient light coming off it was dim but it’s creating a different
it was dim but it’s creating a different
it was dim but it’s creating a different kind of glow early on in the project we
kind of glow early on in the project we
kind of glow early on in the project we decided to not fight the issue of
decided to not fight the issue of
decided to not fight the issue of artificial light from streets or light
artificial light from streets or light
artificial light from streets or light pollution from cities but does to simply
pollution from cities but does to simply
pollution from cities but does to simply go with it this next group is from the
go with it this next group is from the
go with it this next group is from the sky ax which is in Miami Florida it’s
sky ax which is in Miami Florida it’s
sky ax which is in Miami Florida it’s the former winter estate of James
the former winter estate of James
the former winter estate of James Dearing this is a high walled secret
Dearing this is a high walled secret
Dearing this is a high walled secret garden which is very typical of an
garden which is very typical of an
garden which is very typical of an Italian garden secret gardens were meant
Italian garden secret gardens were meant
Italian garden secret gardens were meant to be private places for the family to
to be private places for the family to
to be private places for the family to retreat or for romantic trysts I think
retreat or for romantic trysts I think
retreat or for romantic trysts I think one of the gifts of photographing at
one of the gifts of photographing at
one of the gifts of photographing at night is that it’s a very meditative
night is that it’s a very meditative
night is that it’s a very meditative process you find yourself being removed
process you find yourself being removed
process you find yourself being removed from the day-to-day frenzy of life and
from the day-to-day frenzy of life and
from the day-to-day frenzy of life and deadlines and it really does make you
deadlines and it really does make you
deadlines and it really does make you slow down so we think the only people
slow down so we think the only people
slow down so we think the only people more patient than photographers are
more patient than photographers are
more patient than photographers are gardeners I mean we have no qualms about
gardeners I mean we have no qualms about
gardeners I mean we have no qualms about waiting eight hours for the light to be
waiting eight hours for the light to be
waiting eight hours for the light to be just right or going back to a place
just right or going back to a place
just right or going back to a place several times to make a better picture
several times to make a better picture
several times to make a better picture but I’ll be darned if I’ll ever have the
but I’ll be darned if I’ll ever have the
but I’ll be darned if I’ll ever have the patience to say wait 20 years to see if
patience to say wait 20 years to see if
patience to say wait 20 years to see if a tree looks good in that corner of the
a tree looks good in that corner of the
a tree looks good in that corner of the garden so we’ve been trumped this
garden so we’ve been trumped this
garden so we’ve been trumped this massive live oak trees on the grounds of
massive live oak trees on the grounds of
massive live oak trees on the grounds of Middleton Place which is just outside of
Middleton Place which is just outside of
Middleton Place which is just outside of Charleston South Carolina we wanted to
Charleston South Carolina we wanted to
Charleston South Carolina we wanted to photograph this particular garden
photograph this particular garden
photograph this particular garden because it’s the oldest landscape garden
because it’s the oldest landscape garden
because it’s the oldest landscape garden in America Henry Middleton began the
in America Henry Middleton began the
in America Henry Middleton began the creation in 1741 and it was the premier
creation in 1741 and it was the premier
creation in 1741 and it was the premier garden of the 13 colonies it fell into
garden of the 13 colonies it fell into
garden of the 13 colonies it fell into ruin after the Civil War but since all
ruin after the Civil War but since all
ruin after the Civil War but since all the original plans and planting notes
the original plans and planting notes
the original plans and planting notes had survived the gardens been restored
had survived the gardens been restored
had survived the gardens been restored so the director of Middleton Place gave
so the director of Middleton Place gave
so the director of Middleton Place gave us a daytime tour of the grounds and his
us a daytime tour of the grounds and his
us a daytime tour of the grounds and his parting words before he left us for our
parting words before he left us for our
parting words before he left us for our nighttime work was oh by the way there
nighttime work was oh by the way there
nighttime work was oh by the way there are ghosts here I got spooked by this
are ghosts here I got spooked by this
are ghosts here I got spooked by this the day before when we were scouting
the day before when we were scouting
the day before when we were scouting before him but there are four statues in
before him but there are four statues in
before him but there are four statues in this secret garden representing the four
this secret garden representing the four
this secret garden representing the four seasons this is ms winter at some point
seasons this is ms winter at some point
seasons this is ms winter at some point in my exposure my camera died my bet my
in my exposure my camera died my bet my
in my exposure my camera died my bet my camera battery died so to change the
camera battery died so to change the
camera battery died so to change the battery I had to put on my headlamp and
battery I had to put on my headlamp and
battery I had to put on my headlamp and believe it or not that died so now I
believe it or not that died so now I
believe it or not that died so now I walk over to the bench into my camera
walk over to the bench into my camera
walk over to the bench into my camera bags and I dig up my flashlight and I’m
bags and I dig up my flashlight and I’m
bags and I dig up my flashlight and I’m trying to hold it in my teeth and that
trying to hold it in my teeth and that
trying to hold it in my teeth and that battery dies so I’m really spooked by
battery dies so I’m really spooked by
battery dies so I’m really spooked by this lady right now she does not want
this lady right now she does not want
this lady right now she does not want her picture taken so next day it’s
her picture taken so next day it’s
her picture taken so next day it’s daytime broad daylight I see her again
daytime broad daylight I see her again
daytime broad daylight I see her again beautiful lights hitting her I’m about
beautiful lights hitting her I’m about
beautiful lights hitting her I’m about to take a picture and this biggest
to take a picture and this biggest
to take a picture and this biggest bumblebee that I had ever seen in my
bumblebee that I had ever seen in my
bumblebee that I had ever seen in my life comes flying straight in my face
life comes flying straight in my face
life comes flying straight in my face stops two inches from me and hovers and
stops two inches from me and hovers and
stops two inches from me and hovers and buzzes and I am so freaked out so I just
buzzes and I am so freaked out so I just
buzzes and I am so freaked out so I just look up finally at the statue and I say
look up finally at the statue and I say
look up finally at the statue and I say okay you win luckily for me that battery
okay you win luckily for me that battery
okay you win luckily for me that battery that died that first to get that first
that died that first to get that first
that died that first to get that first night I got just enough exposure under
night I got just enough exposure under
night I got just enough exposure under my belt to get this photograph here but
my belt to get this photograph here but
my belt to get this photograph here but I do believe in ghosts
when we went to this private garden in
when we went to this private garden in Bedford Hills New York you know we’ve
Bedford Hills New York you know we’ve
Bedford Hills New York you know we’ve done our research we knew what time the
done our research we knew what time the
done our research we knew what time the moon was rising we knew what time I was
moon was rising we knew what time I was
moon was rising we knew what time I was going to set but the weirdest thing
going to set but the weirdest thing
going to set but the weirdest thing happened that night when the moon should
happened that night when the moon should
happened that night when the moon should have been at the high point in the sky
have been at the high point in the sky
have been at the high point in the sky it was so low it wasn’t rising over the
it was so low it wasn’t rising over the
it was so low it wasn’t rising over the tree line so the next day we set about
tree line so the next day we set about
tree line so the next day we set about trying to figure out what exactly had
trying to figure out what exactly had
trying to figure out what exactly had happened you know we were making jokes
happened you know we were making jokes
happened you know we were making jokes that night what’s the moon so lazy it’s
that night what’s the moon so lazy it’s
that night what’s the moon so lazy it’s not going to rise up what’s going on
not going to rise up what’s going on
not going to rise up what’s going on here we learned something about the moon
here we learned something about the moon
here we learned something about the moon that it wobbles in its orbit and at that
that it wobbles in its orbit and at that
that it wobbles in its orbit and at that night we were experiencing what happens
night we were experiencing what happens
night we were experiencing what happens every 18.6 years it’s a low moon if you
every 18.6 years it’s a low moon if you
every 18.6 years it’s a low moon if you want to experience the next low mood
want to experience the next low mood
want to experience the next low mood it’s going to be in 2020 in the mean
it’s going to be in 2020 in the mean
it’s going to be in 2020 in the mean time to get this photograph I took out
time to get this photograph I took out
time to get this photograph I took out my trusty flashlight which is sometimes
my trusty flashlight which is sometimes
my trusty flashlight which is sometimes the next best thing to moonlight so with
the next best thing to moonlight so with
the next best thing to moonlight so with all the problems of wobbling moon’s
all the problems of wobbling moon’s
all the problems of wobbling moon’s attack sprinklers dew point mosquitoes
attack sprinklers dew point mosquitoes
attack sprinklers dew point mosquitoes you name it why do we do what we do and
you name it why do we do what we do and
you name it why do we do what we do and we think finally the answer is actually
we think finally the answer is actually
we think finally the answer is actually quite simple the night is so beautiful
quite simple the night is so beautiful
quite simple the night is so beautiful and strange and mysterious and what
and strange and mysterious and what
and strange and mysterious and what happens in a garden at night is nothing
happens in a garden at night is nothing
happens in a garden at night is nothing short of magical what we’re doing here
short of magical what we’re doing here
short of magical what we’re doing here in Claude Monet’s garden and Giovani
in Claude Monet’s garden and Giovani
in Claude Monet’s garden and Giovani France is we’ve turned a flashlight on
France is we’ve turned a flashlight on
France is we’ve turned a flashlight on to critically focus we rarely use auto
to critically focus we rarely use auto
to critically focus we rarely use auto focus when we’re photographing landscape
focus when we’re photographing landscape
focus when we’re photographing landscape but when it’s dark that feature doesn’t
but when it’s dark that feature doesn’t
but when it’s dark that feature doesn’t work anyway and after focusing the
work anyway and after focusing the
work anyway and after focusing the flashlight goes off and this is the
flashlight goes off and this is the
flashlight goes off and this is the famous japanese bridge that Claude Monet
famous japanese bridge that Claude Monet
famous japanese bridge that Claude Monet had constructed in his garden and
had constructed in his garden and
had constructed in his garden and Giovani the sole purpose of him creating
Giovani the sole purpose of him creating
Giovani the sole purpose of him creating and planting this garden was that it
and planting this garden was that it
and planting this garden was that it would be the subject of his
would be the subject of his
would be the subject of his impressionist paintings so it wasn’t
impressionist paintings so it wasn’t
impressionist paintings so it wasn’t following any kind of formal design
following any kind of formal design
following any kind of formal design scheme of gardens it was just this color
scheme of gardens it was just this color
scheme of gardens it was just this color I want here these flowers I went there
I want here these flowers I went there
I want here these flowers I went there and I
and I
and I lily pond this was one of the brief
lily pond this was one of the brief
lily pond this was one of the brief moments when the moon actually made an
moments when the moon actually made an
moments when the moon actually made an appearance at Giovanni it rained almost
appearance at Giovanni it rained almost
appearance at Giovanni it rained almost every night our French guide said this
every night our French guide said this
every night our French guide said this is most unusual June is usually such a
is most unusual June is usually such a
is most unusual June is usually such a dry month in choosing when to go to each
dry month in choosing when to go to each
dry month in choosing when to go to each garden it’s not just the nocturnal
garden it’s not just the nocturnal
garden it’s not just the nocturnal narrative that makes us decide you know
narrative that makes us decide you know
narrative that makes us decide you know it’s the blooms what’s going to be in
it’s the blooms what’s going to be in
it’s the blooms what’s going to be in bloom at any given moment and when is
bloom at any given moment and when is
bloom at any given moment and when is the greatest likelihood that we might
the greatest likelihood that we might
the greatest likelihood that we might get some clear nights but climate change
get some clear nights but climate change
get some clear nights but climate change is made counting on historic average is
is made counting on historic average is
is made counting on historic average is so incredibly unreliable you know as far
so incredibly unreliable you know as far
so incredibly unreliable you know as far as personal taste goes I’m not really a
as personal taste goes I’m not really a
as personal taste goes I’m not really a big fan of 17th century French formal
big fan of 17th century French formal
big fan of 17th century French formal gardens but the narrative that goes with
gardens but the narrative that goes with
gardens but the narrative that goes with this particular garden vola vie comme
this particular garden vola vie comme
this particular garden vola vie comme was just too compelling and we had to
was just too compelling and we had to
was just too compelling and we had to include it in our story Nicholas okay
include it in our story Nicholas okay
include it in our story Nicholas okay who built Vaux was Louis the fourteenth
who built Vaux was Louis the fourteenth
who built Vaux was Louis the fourteenth Minister of Finance he took five years
Minister of Finance he took five years
Minister of Finance he took five years to complete his Chateau and employed
to complete his Chateau and employed
to complete his Chateau and employed eighteen thousand workers to build the
eighteen thousand workers to build the
eighteen thousand workers to build the house and the garden and to unveil his
house and the garden and to unveil his
house and the garden and to unveil his new estate and garden to the king and
new estate and garden to the king and
new estate and garden to the king and the French Court who k decided to plan
the French Court who k decided to plan
the French Court who k decided to plan an elaborate evening fete and on that
an elaborate evening fete and on that
an elaborate evening fete and on that evening in August 1661 at the end of the
evening in August 1661 at the end of the
evening in August 1661 at the end of the fireworks the French Court erupted in
fireworks the French Court erupted in
fireworks the French Court erupted in applause Louis the fourteenth wasn’t
applause Louis the fourteenth wasn’t
applause Louis the fourteenth wasn’t used to having his court applaud
used to having his court applaud
used to having his court applaud somebody other than him and no doubt he
somebody other than him and no doubt he
somebody other than him and no doubt he was spending the evening wondering how
was spending the evening wondering how
was spending the evening wondering how his Minister of Finance could amass such
his Minister of Finance could amass such
his Minister of Finance could amass such a fortune to build this creation so 14
a fortune to build this creation so 14
a fortune to build this creation so 14 days after the event Louie the 14th have
days after the event Louie the 14th have
days after the event Louie the 14th have bouquet arrested and he spent the rest
bouquet arrested and he spent the rest
bouquet arrested and he spent the rest of his life in prison but with equal
of his life in prison but with equal
of his life in prison but with equal swiftness he hired for Kay’s garden
swiftness he hired for Kay’s garden
swiftness he hired for Kay’s garden designer Leonora
designer Leonora
designer Leonora and put him to work at versailles most
and put him to work at versailles most
and put him to work at versailles most people think that flowers need sunlight
people think that flowers need sunlight
people think that flowers need sunlight to open but for our story we started
to open but for our story we started
to open but for our story we started researching those that only bloom at
researching those that only bloom at
researching those that only bloom at night and we timed our trip to longwood
night and we timed our trip to longwood
night and we timed our trip to longwood gardens for mid-august because they have
gardens for mid-august because they have
gardens for mid-august because they have an invariant of tropical night blooming
an invariant of tropical night blooming
an invariant of tropical night blooming water lilies and that most likely at
water lilies and that most likely at
water lilies and that most likely at that time of year they would be opening
that time of year they would be opening
that time of year they would be opening this particular variety just blooms for
this particular variety just blooms for
this particular variety just blooms for two nights out of the year so when we
two nights out of the year so when we
two nights out of the year so when we arrived at longwood for our second night
arrived at longwood for our second night
arrived at longwood for our second night of photography the water lily specialist
of photography the water lily specialist
of photography the water lily specialist greeted us with the news that one of the
greeted us with the news that one of the
greeted us with the news that one of the blooms of the giant water platters would
blooms of the giant water platters would
blooms of the giant water platters would open that night hurry he said this baby
open that night hurry he said this baby
open that night hurry he said this baby doesn’t wait for moonlight to open so we
doesn’t wait for moonlight to open so we
doesn’t wait for moonlight to open so we scrambled and set up a picture our first
scrambled and set up a picture our first
scrambled and set up a picture our first exposure was made about 20 minutes
exposure was made about 20 minutes
exposure was made about 20 minutes actually before the sunset and the lily
actually before the sunset and the lily
actually before the sunset and the lily opened one minute later this is the
opened one minute later this is the
opened one minute later this is the Victoria longwood hybrid giant water
Victoria longwood hybrid giant water
Victoria longwood hybrid giant water platter that’s a mouthful and only opens
platter that’s a mouthful and only opens
platter that’s a mouthful and only opens one night a year and here it is
so we did manage to get back to Japan
so we did manage to get back to Japan the country that was really the catalyst
the country that was really the catalyst
the country that was really the catalyst for our beginning our project the
for our beginning our project the
for our beginning our project the evening viewing of cherry blossoms which
evening viewing of cherry blossoms which
evening viewing of cherry blossoms which generally happens in April was just such
generally happens in April was just such
generally happens in April was just such an important ritual it was just
an important ritual it was just
an important ritual it was just essential for us to photograph it for
essential for us to photograph it for
essential for us to photograph it for the story so we made this image on our
the story so we made this image on our
the story so we made this image on our last night on King Kyoto for over a
last night on King Kyoto for over a
last night on King Kyoto for over a thousand years they has been an annual
thousand years they has been an annual
thousand years they has been an annual cherry blossom festival at the hirano
cherry blossom festival at the hirano
cherry blossom festival at the hirano shrine the tradition of sakura has
shrine the tradition of sakura has
shrine the tradition of sakura has always been seen as a metaphor for life
always been seen as a metaphor for life
always been seen as a metaphor for life itself at moments luminous and beautiful
itself at moments luminous and beautiful
itself at moments luminous and beautiful yet always fleeting after our time in
yet always fleeting after our time in
yet always fleeting after our time in Kyoto we fully understood what the
Kyoto we fully understood what the
Kyoto we fully understood what the Japanese have been practicing for
Japanese have been practicing for
Japanese have been practicing for centuries and that is this that in our
centuries and that is this that in our
centuries and that is this that in our busy lives we need to make time to
busy lives we need to make time to
busy lives we need to make time to appreciate the ephemeral nature of life
appreciate the ephemeral nature of life
appreciate the ephemeral nature of life and that’s a good thought to leave you
and that’s a good thought to leave you
and that’s a good thought to leave you with tonight thank you
”
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