MY TEACHING JOURNEY – Page 4 – Critical Research Journal

Top tips for a visit to a botanic garden…

The photography students and I are visiting the University Botanic Garden this Friday… Some of these tips won’t be feasible for us, but here we go…

Plan Your Visit: Visit the garden at different times of the day to understand the lighting conditions. Early morning or late afternoon provides soft, natural light that enhances colours and reduces harsh shadows.
Research and Explore: Familiarise yourself with the garden layout and notable plants. Knowing where to find unique or rare species can help you plan your shots effectively.
Use a Tripod: A tripod ensures stability, especially in low light conditions or when shooting macro photography. It helps maintain sharpness and allows for longer exposures.
Macro Lens for Close-ups: Use a macro lens to capture the intricate details of flowers and plants. This lens allows you to get close and highlight textures and patterns that might be missed with a standard lens.
Vary Your Perspectives: Experiment with different angles and perspectives. Shoot from ground level to capture the height and structure of plants or from above to show patterns and arrangements.
Pay Attention to Backgrounds: Ensure that the background complements the subject. A cluttered or distracting background can take away from the beauty of the plant. Use a shallow depth of field to blur the background and make your subject stand out.
Use Natural Light: Avoid using flash as it can create unnatural highlights and shadows. Natural light enhances the colours and details of plants, making your photos look more vibrant.
Focus on Composition: Apply basic composition rules like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry to create balanced and engaging photographs. Look for natural frames like branches or leaves to add depth to your images.
Capture the Seasonal Changes: Botanical gardens change with the seasons. Capture the same location at different times of the year to show the variety and beauty of seasonal transformations.
Respect the Environment: Be mindful of the garden’s rules and avoid disturbing the plants. Stick to designated paths and avoid touching or damaging the plants while setting up your shots.
Incorporate Wildlife: Many botanical gardens are home to birds, insects, and other wildlife. Including these creatures in your photos can add life and interest to your images. Be patient and ready to capture these moments when they occur.
Utilise Reflections and Water Features: Water features like ponds, fountains, or even morning dew can add a unique element to your photographs. Use reflections in water to create symmetry or add a different dimension to your shots.
Post-Processing Techniques: After your shoot, use photo editing software to enhance your images. Adjusting the brightness, contrast, and saturation can help bring out the colours and details. Be mindful not to over-process your photos; aim for a natural look that stays true to what you saw.
Capture the Human Element: Including people in your shots can provide a sense of scale and context. Whether it’s a gardener at work, visitors exploring, or a close-up of hands interacting with plants, the human element can add storytelling depth to your images.
Experiment with Filters and Lenses: Use polarising filters to reduce glare and enhance the colours of the foliage. Try different lenses, such as a wide-angle lens to capture expansive garden scenes or a telephoto lens to isolate distant subjects and compress perspectives.

You may have seen this post: Things coaches and counsellors notice… – Critical Research Journal | Graham Wilson (tobelikethis.org)

As part of our training, we tend to use a lot of ‘triad’ sessions. One person is the client, a second is the helper and the third is the observer. The roles are rotated during a session so that each person takes part in the three roles.

Initially, observation can be quite hard, but progressively more and more details come to attention. Here are some key aspects an observer might look for during such a session:

Application of Coaching Techniques: The observer assesses how well the trainee applies coaching techniques such as active listening, powerful questioning, and goal-setting. It’s important to see how these techniques are integrated into the session to facilitate the client’s self-awareness and growth (Stober & Grant, 2006).
Adherence to a Coaching Structure: Observing whether the trainee follows a structured approach to the session, which includes setting an agenda, maintaining focus on the client’s goals, and ensuring a clear closure, is crucial. This structure is vital for effective coaching outcomes (Rogers, 2012).
Handling of Feedback: The observer looks at how the trainee gives and receives feedback. Effective feedback is crucial for helping clients progress towards their goals and for the trainee’s own improvement (Williams & Davis, 2007).
Emotional Intelligence: The observer evaluates the trainee’s emotional intelligence, particularly their ability to manage personal emotions and understand the emotions of others. This capability is fundamental in creating a safe, supportive, and empathetic coaching environment (Green, Oades, & Grant, 2006).
Ethical Conduct: Ensuring that the trainee adheres to ethical guidelines set by relevant coaching bodies is essential. This includes maintaining confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, and respecting the client’s autonomy (Passmore & Fillery-Travis, 2011).
Use of Self-Awareness in Coaching: Observers should look for evidence of self-awareness in trainees. This includes how well trainees understand their own biases and how these might affect their coaching practice. A good coach should be aware of their own limitations and how their experiences influence their coaching style (Kauffman & Scoular, 2004).
Client Engagement: Observing the client’s engagement can provide indirect feedback on the trainee’s effectiveness. A client who is actively participating and demonstrating positive changes is often a sign of effective coaching (Whitworth, Kimsey-House, & Sandahl, 2007).
Flexibility and Adaptability: The ability to adapt coaching techniques to suit different clients and situations is a valuable skill for a coach. Observers should note how well trainees adjust their approach based on the client’s reactions and feedback during the session (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983).

These observations help in providing constructive feedback to the trainee, aiding in their development as effective coaches.

References

Green, S., Oades, L. G., & Grant, A. M. (2006). Coaching psychology manual. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Kauffman, C., & Scoular, A. (2004). Toward a positive psychology of executive coaching. In P. A. Linley & S. Joseph (Eds.), Positive psychology in practice (pp. 287-302). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Passmore, J., & Fillery-Travis, A. (2011). A critical review of executive coaching research: a decade of progress and what’s to come. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 4(2), 70-88.
Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390-395.
Rogers, J. (2012). Coaching skills: A handbook. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.
Stober, D. R., & Grant, A. M. (Eds.). (2006). Evidence based coaching handbook: Putting best practices to work for your clients. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Whitworth, L., Kimsey-House, H., & Sandahl, P. (2007). Co-active coaching: New skills for coaching people toward success in work and life. Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black Publishing.
Williams, P., & Davis, D. C. (2007). Therapist as life coach: Transforming your practice. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.

[Written and illustrated with the help of Scholar GPT and Dall-E.]