Photographing Wild Garlic - Top Tips

The alarm goes off at 3:30 AM. With a deep sigh and a hefty dose of enthusiasm, I roll out of bed. It's promising to be a special day.

Little sleep—but the excitement of exploring the hill forests of Limburg in search of wild garlic makes up for everything. The day before, Dominik (@majewski_fotografie) and I obsessively checked various weather maps, hoping for the perfect combination of mist and sunlight.

Mist opportunities are relatively scarce this spring, so I cherished the hope that this morning would be favorable to us. After a brief consultation via the app, we decide to take the gamble.

Potential Mist Setup in South Limburg 

I grab my camera and consider which lenses to bring. The wide-angle lens seems most suitable for capturing the lush environment, but I also decide to pack my mid-range zoom lens and telephoto lens just in case. (A fallow deer among the wild garlic—that would be cool!)

A sturdy tripod and plenty of food and drinks are, of course, indispensable, as is waterproof clothing to protect me from the wetness typical of the location at this time of year.

Upon arrival, it seems the mist is letting us down. We had hoped for a mysterious atmosphere, with sunbeams breaking through the haze as the sun rose above the Limburg hills. But as it goes in nature, you don't always have control over the conditions. Nevertheless, we don't let ourselves be discouraged. With hope in our hearts and cameras at the ready, we set off, determined to make the best of what the day has to offer.

 

Not the mist we had hoped for

 

As soon as we enter the forest, the scent of wild garlic envelops us immediately. It's a special mix of garlic and spring that tingles my senses and makes me even more enthusiastic in this enchanting environment.

In the twilight, our search for the wild garlic begins, which hides among the trees and shrubs.

After walking for a while, we finally stumble upon the spot that makes our photographic hearts beat faster. Here, amid the rolling landscape of the Limburg forests, endless stretches of wild garlic unfold before us. It's as if we've discovered a hidden treasure.

 

 

With a feeling of excitement and wonder, we wander through the wild garlic, searching for the perfect angle, the perfect composition.

And then, just at the moment we settle down to start our work, the sun finally breaks through the clouds. The golden light transforms the wild garlic into a sea of shimmering white flowers that beautifully contrast with the green leaves. It's a magical moment.

Although we didn't get the misty atmosphere and sunbeams we had hoped for, we still manage to take a photo that captures the beauty and serenity of this special place. A successful morning!

The sunlight still gives a nice atmosphere

 

Tips for Photographing Wild Garlic

Photographing wild garlic requires patience and attention to detail. It's important to take the time to find a good composition, using the natural lines and patterns to create an engaging image. Here are a few handy tips to get the most out of your wild garlic adventure:

Location, Location, Location: Wild garlic thrives mainly in the forests of South Limburg and the Ardennes, but you can also find it in dune-rich areas and even as a stinzen plant elsewhere in the Netherlands and Belgium. A good understanding of the location and the right season will help you find this plant in all its glory.

Use Your Nose: It may be surprising, but your nose can be your best tool in finding wild garlic. The characteristic onion-like smell is hard to miss and can help you track down this plant among the foliage.

Light and Shadow: Depending on the weather and the environment, you can experiment with different lighting conditions. On a sunny day, you can play with the contrasts between sunny and shaded spots in the forest. On cloudy days, you avoid strong light differences and can capture the wild garlic in even lighting.

Avoid Overexposure: When photographing white flowers like wild garlic in full sun, overexposure is a common problem. Adjust your exposure to prevent the flowers from losing details due to overexposure.

Windless Conditions Are Your Friend: Wild garlic is sensitive to wind, and it's tricky to take sharp photos when the flowers are swaying back and forth. Preferably choose a windless day to minimize vibrations and take sharper shots.

Focus Stacking: Wild garlic is known for growing in dense clusters, which can result in a large difference in distance between the foreground and background. By applying focus stacking—taking multiple photos with different focus points and then merging them into one image—you ensure that all parts of your photo are sharp, from foreground to background. A tripod and little wind are, of course, indispensable with this technique.

Experiment with Macro Photography: The unique appearance of wild garlic with its spherical umbels offers countless possibilities for macro photography. Play with different aperture values to manipulate depth of field and experiment with compositions to determine the aesthetics of your photos. A macro lens is ideal, but you can also experiment with a telephoto lens for similar results. Use a tripod to minimize vibrations, especially in low-light conditions.

Compositions for Wild Garlic Photography: Use natural elements such as objects in the foreground, natural lines and patterns, and even mist to give your photos extra impact. A foreground interest, such as an interesting tree trunk or a single flower in the foreground, adds depth to your photos and helps the viewer feel more immersed in the image. Natural lines and patterns, like the winding paths through the forest, can give a sense of movement and direction to your photos, making them visually more interesting. Mist can add a sense of mystery and atmosphere to your photos, giving them a dreamy and enchanting quality. Experiment with different compositions and see what works best for the story you want to tell with your wild garlic photos.