On October 31, 2024, the Photography and Advanced 3-D Design classes went on the annual field trip to Longwood Gardens. Located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, the over 1,100 sprawling acres of Longwood is one of the world’s premier horticultural display and conservational garden.
The garden was the creation of Pierre du Pont. Pierre was an industrialist, conservationist, farmer, designer, impresario, and philanthropist. A Lover of both the arts and gardening, he wanted the space to bring joy and inspiration through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. In July 1906, he purchased the Perce Family farm where we would begin work on The Flower Garden Walk; one of the most popular elements to the present day. In 1946, the government gave approval for Longwood to operate as a public garden with tax-exempt status, “for the sole use of the public for the purposes of exhibition, instruction, education, and enjoyment.” It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 10, 1972. The garden continues to expand and evolve.
Mrs. Katheryn Humphrey has been doing this field trip for at least 10 years. “It’s a perfect place for students to apply what they learned about composition,” explained Humphrey. “There’s an array of subject matters; having something for everyone. And everything that Longwood Garden is, is based on the principles of design and elements of art.”
The field trip allows for the beginner photographers to have their first real experience with a photoshoot with the knowledge of how to take an artistic photograph. “I love the attention to detail,” voiced Humphrey, “how it inspires creativity and inspiration, and the Venettes of artistic creations.”
It also allows for the more advanced photographers to get interesting assignments. Inspired by Bruce Munro’s art exhibit at Longwood, “Time and Place”, the students focused on a single landscape. Then they will creat an abstract made using dots from the emphasized colors.
For the 3-D design students, there are lots of sculptures and architecture to take reference to.
There is plenty to see. There are the flower gardens, three award-winning treehouses, water fountains with organized shows, the Green Wall- a wall of greenery that covers the entrance to the bathroom in the Conservatory-, the Grotto, a haunted Italian water garden, and so much more. “I like the flowers; they’re very vibrant,” remarked Scarlett Heslin, an advanced photography student. “I love seeing people enjoy the beauty of nature,” revealed Ava Hughes, another advanced photography student. Mitch McEvoy, an advanced photography and AP 3-D design student, professed that they love the, “articulated artistry.”
The Longwood Gardens field trip is a highlight of the Photography course. For people interested in taking Photography, they can talk to their school counselor or Mrs. Humphrey in C322.