Photographing Giverny, France

I have 2 famous artist that I have always imagined how it would be if I would have had a chance to meet them. The first one is Pablo Picasso, for his 3 dimensional perception of the world and the second one would be Claude Monet for his distorted view.


This past spring, by total accident, I was able to realize a childhood dream. While driving through the country side of France, I saw a sign pointing to Giverny. It was totally unplanned, but I have had the opportunity to spend about 2 hours exploring and photographing The Giverny Gardens.

Image 1 - Claude Monet's gardens and house in Giverny

I experienced an overload of emotions when I walked to Monet's large studio, now converted into a gift shop. It was anticipation and excitement. I knew that just out of the studio door his world would open up before my eyes.

Image 2 - Monet's world unfolding before me

Spring is definitely the right time to visit this site. Also, try to arrive really late in the afternoon, about 2 to 3 hours before closing time. This way, he majority of the tourist buses that come from Paris will have left and if you are really patient you will be able to register this amazing location without anyone around.


Take your time to walk around every corner of the gardens, and leave enough time for the inside of the house. Where you will see lots of his originals in addition to the asian art work that has inspired the water gardens. 

Image 3 - Water garden

Image 4 - Japanese Bridge

The property is large and requires constant up-keeping. There are gardeners throughout the property maintaining the natural beauty of nature that Monet has shaped for his artwork.

Image 5 - Gardener of Giverny

 The entire property is a feast for the senses! The pollen trickles your nose, the colours and shapes marvel your eyes, the textures invite your hands for a caress, and the birds and frogs are so loud that everyone around quiets down to them. For a taste of the garden, you will have to wait until you exit. No food or beverages allowed at location. :)


While I walked around the pond, the frogs serenaded me. It was a magical moment, about 1 to 2 minutes that the world stood still, just a lovely croaking symphony.

Image 6 - Different areas of the Water Garden

Image 7 - The plethora of colours surrounding the pond

Image 8 - Let your senses guide you through the garden

 For me, it was as if Monet was walking me through the gardens. I could sense his presence, close my eyes and see him getting his inspiration from each flower and drop of water in the area. I started to look at the scenery through his eyes, remembering some of his most famous paintings. Photographing the site was as if I was trying to reproduce his work. The rowing boats at a corner, the view of and from the japanese ridge, the water lilies, well, just about everything! 

Image 9 - Rowing boats

Image 10 - View from the Japanese Bridge

Image 11 - Flowers, flowers, and more beautiful flowers!

I decided to incorporate some techniques in camera and off camera to reproduce Monet's distorted brush strokes. In camera, I have used camera movement with a low shutter speed, off camera, I created some orthon by blurring one layer and sharpening another. The results are different than just simple images of the gardens, they have a Monet's flavour in it.

Image 12 - Camera movement to reproduce Monet's brush stroke

Image 13 - Orthon of Water Garden

Image 14 - Orthon of house garden

 All of these experience would not have been possible if it wasn't for my wonderful boyfriend, who has offered to stay outside the garden with our dog on a 28 degree celcius weather. Thank you so much for allowing my dream come true! Love you!

Image 15 - Monet's house and gardens in Giverny - a dream come true