WORK BY LEADING GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHER ANDREA JONES TO FEATURE IN TRIO OF NEW BOOKS IN 2017

21/02/2017

Encouraging readers to observe and appreciate the full beauty of nature, plants and landscape is the common theme in three very different books this spring by leading garden photographer Andrea Jones.

Andrea wrote and illustrated ‘The Garden Photography Workshop’, to be published by Timber Press in March, in which she shares some trade secrets of how she cleverly captures the essence of beautiful gardens around the world on camera. She explains to readers basic photography skills and tips on using a range of camera equipment, covering everything from DSLRs to smartphones and accessories. 

Profiles of real gardens exemplify the most common problems a photographer can face, like harsh light, wet weather, and cramped spaces, along with advice and techniques for addressing specific concerns. We live in a photo-driven world, and this helpful guide is a complete tutorial for anyone who wants to fill their world with beautiful images of gardens and plants.

Andrea’s landscape photography features prominently in ‘Making for Home: A Tale of the Scottish Borders’, published by The Pimpernel Press in June. Alan Tait traces his journey from childhood imaginings to a tenement flat in Glasgow in the 1960s to the Moffat Valley, in the Scottish Borders, where he bought a remote farmhouse in the 1970s, since when he has overseen its restoration and renewal during four decades of continuing change. Andrea’s beautiful images capture the evocative southern upland scenery over sharply contrasting seasons.

In ‘Essential Pruning Techniques’, also published by Timber Press in March, Andrea helps to illustrate this practical reference book, written by the leading tree expert from the Royal Botanic Garden Kew, Tony Kirkham. Andrea’s photography entices readers to appreciate the natural shape of trees as well as explaining visually the best pruning methods and practices.

During 2017, Andrea will be hosting a series of weekend retreats offering guidance to those wanting to improve their own garden and nature photography skills. Based at Alton Albany Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast in Ayrshire, which is run by Andrea’s husband Alasdair, the retreats will take advantage of the abundance of photogenic natural subjects within easy reach of its doorstep. The weekends offer a taste of Scotland and a sociable escape with plenty of genial information sharing between like-minded folk. 

Matt Cross of ‘Wild About the Forest’ will be at hand to give his guided nature walks on each of the retreats and as the farm is so well placed on the western edge of the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, he will also be available to guide guests around the night sky when darkness falls. The residential retreats will include full accommodation and can be tailor made to suit small groups of between three to six people (depending on room sharing requirements). The full programme can be found at www.altonalbanyfarm.com.

Over the last 25 years, Andrea Jones has built an international reputation for her photographs of landscapes, gardens, and plants. Among other awards she was voted Photographer of the Year and Book Photographer of the Year by her peers in the Garden Media Guild. Her website is www.andreajones.co.uk .