January Field Trip to New York Botanical Garden
We’re kicking off the new year with a warm, colorful winter escape! Join us for a photography field trip to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. The Haupt Conservatory is the perfect place to shoot in January—expect tropical plants, dramatic light, textures, reflections, train show and plenty of macro opportunities.
The Holiday Train Show: We’ll be visiting during the final days of the famous Holiday Train Show, featuring model trains traveling through miniature cityscapes made entirely of plant parts!
📅 Event Details
- Date: Saturday, Jan 10, 2026
- Meet-up Time: 9:00 AM
- Location: Exit 2 Commuter Lot (I-84), across from Trader Joe’s.
- We will carpool from here. It is approximately a 1-hour drive.
- Skill Level: All welcome! From beginners to pros.
🎟️ Tickets & Parking
- Cost: Tickets are approx. $35–$39 | Parking is approx. $22 per car.
- Important: Purchase admission tickets that include the Holiday Train Show using timed entry.
- Action Required: Please purchase your tickets in advance via the NYBG.org website for a 10:45 AM entry.
🎒 What to Bring
- Lenses: A generic “walk-around” zoom (e.g., 24-70mm, 24-105 …) is great for the train show and landscapes. A macro lens may be handy for the conservatory details.
- Tripod: Tripods are not allowed inside the Conservatory.
- Backpack Rule: You are allowed to bring a backpack, but while inside the Conservatory, you must wear it on your front to avoid knocking over plants or blocking narrow paths.
- Clothing: Dress in layers! It will be tropical and humid inside the conservatory but freezing outside. You will want to peel off layers to avoid fogging up your viewfinder.
- Polarizer: Handy for cutting glare on the pond and glass surfaces.
📝Attendees Sign-Up Sheet
Please let us know if you are attending! We need an accurate headcount to help coordinate carpooling from the Exit 2 lot.
📝 Sign Up here for Field Trip to New York Botanical Garden
📸 NYBG Photo Challenge
We’ll have an optional scavenger hunt to spark creativity. Try to capture these specific prompts!
🍃 Macro / Close-Up
- A leaf with an unexpected pattern
- A water droplet reflecting something
- A plant texture that looks otherworldly
🌗 Light & Shadow
- A silhouette created by backlight in the Conservatory
- Dramatic shadow patterns
- A sunburst through leaves or glass
🎨 Color & Shape
- Complementary colors in a single composition
- A flower portrait with creamy bokeh
- A repeating shape or pattern
Reflections & Transparency
- A pond reflection of something overhead
- Light bending through glass or water
- A reflection that looks like an abstract painting
📐 Creative Composition
- A perfectly symmetrical scene
- A strong leading line
- A low-angle shot that transforms the ordinary
🌟 Bonus: The Botanical Portrait and The Surprise Find.
Download the Printable PDF Challenge List Here
Hope you’ll join us for a warm, green, photography-filled day!
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