Join our photography lessons at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, one of the most visually spectacular locations in the Digital Photo Academy's rotation of Atlanta shooting venues.
Founded after a proposal by Atlantans in 1973, the Atlanta Botanical Garden has grown into a magnificent 30-acre oasis at the edge of the city, offering residents and visitors an extraordinary refuge of natural beauty and botanical diversity. The garden is one of the premier public gardens in the American South.
The flowering plants here are extraordinarily detailed and varied, offering endless compositional possibilities. Practice using Depth of Field to isolate a single blossom in crisp focus while softening the background into a wash of color.
The garden supports a remarkable variety of fauna alongside its flora. Photograph a green tree frog camouflaged on a lily pad, or explore the more exotic amphibians and reptiles housed in the Fuqua Conservatory. Keep an eye out for the Red-tailed Hawks that make the garden their home and occasionally glide into the frame when you least expect it.
The sculptural installations throughout the grounds rotate throughout the year as visiting artists are featured, so no two visits ever look quite the same. Dynamic, often large-scale works offer strong compositional opportunities in a lush natural setting.
Water is one of photography's most versatile subjects. Learn to use a slow shutter speed to render moving water as a silky, ethereal flow, or switch to a fast shutter to freeze individual droplets in midair with crystalline sharpness.
Natural light in an outdoor garden setting shifts constantly. Learning to work in dappled shade and to recognize and use golden light when it appears are two of the most valuable skills a photographer can develop.
Meet your instructor at the waterfall and entrance sign, approximately 100 feet outside the ticket booths.
Weekend Admission:
Adult: $35
SAGE Parking Facility:
- Drop-off period (0 to 30 minutes): No charge
- 31 to 60 minutes: $2.00
- Each additional 30 minutes: $1.00
- Maximum daily rate: $15.00
Bring your camera or smartphone along with any gear you can comfortably carry. Ensure batteries are fully charged, and memory cards have sufficient space. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Each Composition in the Field class opens with a briefing from an experienced DPA instructor, followed by a guided walk through one or more of more than 20 photogenic locations across the cities in our network. You'll encounter opportunities for street photography, architectural shooting, farmers' markets, zoo subjects, landscapes, and much more. Sample images are drawn from both student and instructor work at venues across the United States and Canada.
You will have a great time, sharpen your strategic approach to image-making, and leave with practical skills you can apply immediately, whether you're documenting a family event, exploring a new city, or simply walking through your own neighborhood.
Please note: If a class must be canceled due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control, we will gladly work with you to reschedule. If you need to cancel and require a different class date, contact us. A $25 transfer fee applies when notice is given fewer than three days before the scheduled class.
