BEFORE

AFTER

Summer winds down


How Asters Enchant Native Pollinators (and Tips for Capturing Their Splendor)

As summer’s warmth begins to fade and early autumn graces the land, many garden flowers have already danced their final waltz. Yet, asters emerge, a splendid gift for native pollinators. If you’ve ever marveled at these delicate, star-shaped blossoms, you may have observed the flurry of bees, butterflies, and even moths that flit about them. There’s a magical reason for this!

The Importance of Asters for Pollinators

Asters hold a vital role in nurturing native pollinators, especially when other sources of sustenance dwindle. As late summer melds into early fall, these resilient blooms burst forth just as many others fade away. Here’s why pollinators are drawn to them:

  1. Late-Season Nectar and Pollen: As many pollinators prepare for winter's embrace, asters offer a crucial last bounty of nectar and pollen. Bees, in particular, depend on these blooms to build their fat stores for hibernation, while migratory butterflies like the Monarch pause for a much-needed feast on their arduous journey south.
  2. Diverse Species for Varied Pollinators: With over 180 species of asters, a splendid variety exists for nearly every type of pollinator. Smaller bees may favor the more delicate blooms, while larger butterflies and moths are drawn to the grander varieties.
  3. Host Plant for Butterfly Larvae: Certain butterfly species, such as the Pearl Crescent, lay their eggs upon asters, ensuring the continuation of their lineage. This imbues asters with a profound significance as a lifeline for these vital insects!

By planting asters in your garden, you’re not only infusing it with vibrant color but also crafting a sumptuous banquet for native pollinators at a time when sustenance becomes scarce. We let many asters go to seed and they liberally spread throughout the garden. Tip! Learn what your varieties look like as young plants so you can pull any strays that encroach beyond your designated area.

Tips for Capturing Asters in All Their Glory

If you’ve ever endeavored to photograph asters, you may know they can be a touch elusive. Their petite, delicate petals and vivid hues deserve to be immortalized in their full splendor, but their star-like shape and tiny size can make them a bit chaotic to shoot. Here are some enchanting tips to help you seize breathtaking shots:

  1. Use a Flash for Enhanced Detail: While natural light is lovely, asters often bloom in softer, dimmer conditions and have so many tiny details that are hard to catch at wide-open apertures. To truly showcase their intricate details, consider using a flash—especially during the early morning or late in the day. A fill flash can illuminate the finer textures of the petals and centers without overwhelming them. Adjust the intensity of your flash for a more natural appearance. When you use a macro lens, the minimum depth of field is often higher than with traditional telephoto lenses. I often choose an aperture of f8 or deeper and that still makes the background fall off into blur.

Pro tip: To soften the flash's harshness, employ a diffuser or bounce the light off a white surface, gently enveloping your subject. I bounce my flash into a 24 inch umbrella which has a diffusion panel up front. I use THIS HANDLE to help me hold my FJ80 Flash. I use this umbrella and umbrella diffuser.

  1. Focus on Pollinators: Asters are frequently visited by pollinators, so keep an eye out for bees, butterflies, or other delightful insects in the vicinity. Utilize a fast shutter speed to freeze their movements, and don’t hesitate to get up close! Macro photography brings out the magic in asters and their tiny companions.
  2. Harness Gradient Layers in Photoshop to Direct Attention: After capturing that perfect moment, enhance it in post-processing. A subtle gradient layer in Photoshop can gently guide the viewer's eye toward your image’s focal point. For instance, if you wish to illuminate the vibrant center of the aster or a butterfly resting upon it, apply a gradient that softly lightens the edges while keeping focus on the area between gradients. I like to color my gradients with a color chosen from the image. In this case, I chose a soft purple for my gradients in this image.
  3. Here’s how: In Photoshop, select the gradient tool and choose a gradient. Use the wheel to place the gradient and pull it with the cursor until it is in the place you want. Be sure to add a layer mask and softly remove extra color from the gradient in areas you wish to lessen the effect.
  4. Capture the Essence of the Season: Asters often bloom alongside grasses, seed heads, and other autumnal flora. Frame your shots with elements that highlight the season's transition. Incorporating the golden hues of fall foliage or the shimmering dew on the asters’ petals adds a rich sense of time and place to your imagery.

Though asters appear delicate, they are formidable allies in the quest to support pollinators. By nurturing them in your garden, you extend the season for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. And when it comes to capturing their beauty, a few thoughtful techniques can reveal their true splendor.

So, the next time you wander through your garden, take a moment to snap a few enchanting photos of these late-blooming beauties, all while appreciating the vital role they play in the ecosystem. After all, who can resist the allure of such splendid blooms?

Learn more with my FREE FLORAL PHOTO COURSE!