Every picture tells a story, don’t it?

January 30, 2015


Poor grammar and all, Rod Stewart’s lyrics are in my head as I submit my entry for Gardening Gone Wild’s Picture This photo contest. Pro garden photographer Saxon Holt is judging, and he says he wants your best photo from 2014 that not only has “a strong composition that uses the entire frame” but “tells a story” about “something special” from last year.


My fall garden-visiting trip to NYC with my daughter immediately sprang to mind, so I perused my images and found three I particularly like. This one is from Wave Hill on a chilly, rainy morning (the day after leaving sunny, warm Austin), during which my daughter explored the garden with me. There she is at the far side of the pond, gazing at the gold, green, and copper scene, unknowingly providing a sense of scale for the dramatic yuccas along the hedge.


This one is from New York Botanical Garden, which we visited after the rain had let up. A meadow garden stopped us in our tracks, its matrix of asters, daisies, and grasses blooming in rich profusion, with gone-to-seed garlic chives adding clusters of tawny brown.


But the image I’m submitting for my entry is this one: my daughter walking ahead of me along the path (soon to grow up and make her own way in the world, as I’m all too aware), with an autumn leaf tucked into her messy bun — a moment that still touches my heart.

If you’ve never participated in a Picture This photo contest, I encourage you to do so. Gardening Gone Wild hosted a run of them for a few years, and they’ve just brought it back. You can learn a lot from Saxon’s comments, and it’s all in a spirit of friendly competition and sharing.

All material © 2006-2015 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

24 responses to “Every picture tells a story, don’t it?”

  1. peter schaar says:

    Pam, all three are superb photos, much better than anything of mine. As the father of two daughters I know exactly what you must be feeling, and I sympathize. Fortunately, as women in their early 50s they are two of my best friends. I would want them in my life even if they were not related to me. I think you will have the same experience. I certainly hope so.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      You are a lucky man, Peter. I know I will get through the transition of kids leaving home and there will be much to look forward to on the other side. For now though I’m trying to make the most of having one still at home and one here on school breaks. —Pam

  2. All great photos.
    How fun to have your daughter with you, on that trip.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      She made it so much more fun than it would have been otherwise, Linda. I’m glad she has an interest in travel and even gardens and isn’t sick of my company yet. —Pam

  3. TexasDeb says:

    So tender. Having that moment together means you’ve already won, of course.

    And thanks for the heads up about the Picture This feature coming back. I always used to enjoy looking at the photos submitted. I found some great blogs represented there.

  4. Peter/Outlaw says:

    You’ve chosen a great and very touching image for your entry!

  5. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    Good choice. I loved that picture too when I saw it. Still do. That first one is a beaut too.

  6. Kris P says:

    Your photos do so much more than show scenes and events, Pam – they evoke feeling. The photo you selected for submission is a perfect example.

  7. Jean says:

    Really nice pic and a good choice for the contest. Actually, they’re all nice though. I still haven’t even looked at my 2014 photos yet. Where to begin? I’m thinking my Mexico trip but there are very few garden-y shots that I took.

    It looks like you had a great time in NY. I still need to go back through your pics of that trip. I will do that soon!

    • Pam/Digging says:

      I couldn’t even look through all my 2014 photos, Jean — too many! I just focused on the NY trip, and that made it manageable. I look forward to seeing what you find from your Mexico trip. —Pam

  8. I like your choice, Pam, although all the pictures tell a story!

  9. paula says:

    Charming yet somehow poignant, your photo choice. I love that her bag is floral.

  10. Pam, how fabulous to be among Southern Living’s top blog picks! You deserve the recognition.

  11. This is such a lovely and tender post. The picture of your daughter tugs at my heart strings.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Laura, thank you. I’m sure she’d be mortified to know I was talking about her online, but it really is a moment that’s seared in my memory, and I’m glad I have the photo too. —Pam