Eden Project for photos?

DB_SamX

DB_SamX

DB_SamX

Soldato
Joined
17 Feb 2006
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Winchester
I'm going there on Friday afternoon for my first visit. I'm also hoping for decent photo opportunities; the only pictures I have been extremely happy with over the last 6 months have only been that of flowers using my 50mm lens, so I expect to find plenty there.

Any tips/advice/experience of going there, esp. photo taking?

I also have my kit D40 lens and a Sigma 50-150 f/2.8. Might end up using the latter for the AF but it's a beast to have round the neck for a long time.
 
Derek W said:
The humidity might cause a bit of an issue inside the domes :eek:
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No more than when you're shooting the the tropics. My advice would be to bring your camera kit in and have a wonder around, before taking it out to shoot. Maybe sit down for a cuppa coffee inside the dome whilst leaving your camera and lens out for about 20mins, your lens will definitely mist up as the outside temperature is a lot cooler.

It's no different from a long shoot out in a cold and then come back into a warm room.
 
Depending on the weather outside the domes are nice too around the gardens plus you have a giant wasp and junk/waste robot to capture :D. I got some great shots with a old kodak compact before I got my DSLR. Make sure you have plenty of memory free before you go as SD/CF cards are extortionate their
 
I went at the end of last summer with the g/f and offspring.

It was a horrible rainy day, with poor light. No outside shots were possible for us, and the light was relatively dim inside too. Humidity is a massive issue for the first 20 minutes or so, but then clears up. Definitely do NOT change lenses during these 20 minutes!

The visitors were generally good, and seemed to appreciate someone trying to take a proper photo and would give you space and time, within reason. Don't forget though that like most attractions they are basically channeling a high volume of people through a single pathway, so if you want to shoot across the trail, you will inevitably have people blundering in front of you.

The first dome (to the left when you enter) is the warmest, and you'll have no problems in the others. I found a few decent flowers etc, but that isn't really my thing and lots of plants within reach look like they've been handled a lot. I'd be really interested in seeing what you take - when I got back home I didn't even bother to process my shots as they weren't great.

Two things to note. Firstly - there are great coconut and banana smoothies on the exit to the domes, and secondly next door, there is a fantastic pimpled egg sculpture indoors. Perfect for some low light moody shots.

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I took some good shots with my compact before i had my DSLR. The gardens are vast at Eden. If the weather is good enough you could get some nice shots there if you like taking pictures of flowers. The Rainforest Biome is very humid and something to watch out for with regards to your camera. The easiest place to take pictures would be the Mediterranean Biome as its much more spread out (not as humid!) and there will be less chance of people getting into your shots! My only regret was that i didn't get a great picture of the whole Eden site which is possible to get as soon as you have paid to go in - we went on a very overcast day and the place was jam packed with people which made taking the pictures a bit more difficult. I would be interested in seeing your pictures too - enjoy!
 
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Post some shots please when you are back. I have been a couple of times before, but am also going again in a couple of weeks, so would like to get an idea of what its like 'flower' wise. We are a bit out of season at the moment; so anything outside the biomes may not be doing so well.

Lens will fog up immediately going into the domes. As previously said leave lens cap off when you go in and just float around until it calms down.
 
Went there in Nov, not much happening due to out of season, great cider though ;)

Got these shots, went for a kind of 'crysis' look going on, use the humidity to your advantage for some effects, and then wait for it clear for normal shots :)

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Some of mine.. not the best quality but will give you an idea

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REally wish I had my DSLR back then :(
 
martinturner said:
Post some shots please when you are back. I have been a couple of times before, but am also going again in a couple of weeks, so would like to get an idea of what its like 'flower' wise. We are a bit out of season at the moment; so anything outside the biomes may not be doing so well.

Lens will fog up immediately going into the domes. As previously said leave lens cap off when you go in and just float around until it calms down.
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Not reviewed my photos yet, but will add a few soon.

Overall:

Awesome and inspiring place, yet I was disappointed but not really their fault.
There are next to no flowers outside (and inside). It's just not the season for it. Due to the recent snow, all new bulbs/shoots have actually wilted as well. So, in that sense, I wouldn't expect any sort of colour other than green anbd brown for another few weeks.

Med dome is fine - no fogging. Some exotic plants, but nothing exceptional. Having said that, I am sure there are others who could make the most mundane plant look good on a photo.

The restaurant and seating area linking the 2 domes is at normal room temp so when you go in, there is no fogging. But when you step in the tropical dome, the humidity and temp just hits you and within seconds, my camera and lenses got wet. All I wanted to do was move as fast as I could so just one picture taken there. I didn't really want to hang around waiting for my lens to clear up (was gettign dark)

Ice rink looks great indoors. Lots of other photo opportunities for the more descerning eye.
 
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