Hillside Fern Project: Update Late June 2025
I’m still trying to figure out how to photograph the entire fern project. When I step back far enough to capture the entire scene, the ferns look too small and seem insignificant. However, if I move in closer, I can only focus on a few of them. In both cases, the hillside, which is relatively small but steep, doesn’t come through well in the photos.
This Japanese Painted Fern has thrived in this location, reaching a height of nearly three feet. Japanese Painted Ferns are distintive for stunning foliage, featuring intricate patterns of silver, green, and purple that add a unique touch to any garden at certain times of the year.
Overall, it has been a very good spring and early summer for the project, with warm temperatures and regular rainfall. However, extreme heat is due next week, and I may have to start watering. So far, I have only planted one new addition, a Boston Fern that was given to me as a gift. In the future, I’m considering adding some shade ground cover just above the upper line of ferns.
I love ferns. I was lucky to have inherited ferns when we moved to our house in MN. Of course, all the photos of those ferns have yet to be scanned!
I have always liked ferns, but this is my first chance to create a natural area for them. This small flat area and hillside were originally covered in poison ivy, so I removed it over the course of one winter. The following year, I began planting a few ferns at a time. Surprisingly, the poison ivy has not returned.
I think you are correct there are scenes we just can’t do justice to with a photo, they must be experience. Could be it will be multiple images that must be made. Well done and thanks for keeping us updated.
I’ll have to keep photographing parts and individual ferns. The lay of the land and the steepness of the hillside don’t translate well to photos or videos. This is a common issue that I’ve also noticed when watching YouTube outdoor adventure videos. Thanks, Monte!
Nice to see a fern update! One of these days I’ll try to follow your example, though our “hill” doesn’t look nearly as tidy. :) Plus, I don’t have nearly enough ferns yet in our “hill” area. I understand the dilemma in portrayals though. There’s a certain, not sure the right word, “richness” I guess in being close that is difficult to portray. Maybe a close focus wide angle? Haven’t tried it myself yet but would likely be something I’d play with.
It’s a slow process. This will be the third summer I’ve been at it. Yes, probably with a wide enough lens, I could capture the whole thing without having to be too far back, but as I mentioned to Monte above, the attributes of the hillside get lost in the translation. Currently, I don’t believe I have a wide enough lens that doesn’t exhibit some fisheye distortion. Hey, maybe an excuse for new equipment. Haha! Thanks, Mark.
or maybe a close panoramic done via phone camera?
I’ll have to try that.