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In the age of the instant makeover, Norfolk gardens seem to me to be about gardening with patience.

It's about sowing seeds, planting, watering, hoeing and harvesting.

Gardening this way takes time rather than money, and many of the smaller plots I visit are owned by hard-working, 'ordinary' people who have started with a bare canvas and whose gardens have evolved.

They have gradually grown from seed and by swapping cuttings with friends.

It is the plants who are the stars in our gardens here, and we are lucky to have such a rich seam of gardening experience available to us.

So how do we capture these wonderful images on camera?

First, walk around your garden looking for new viewpoints.

Instead of standing on the lawn or patio, try going behind, or even into the middle of a border and photographing through it.

Tulips 'Purple Prince'

If your subject is low-growing, get down there with it. It may make your knees ache, but it's worth it.

Don't take pictures in bright sunlight. They'll show too much contrast: the light colours will be washed out while the shadows will turn black.

For the best light, try getting up really early to catch the sunrise, or wait until early evening when the light is soft and the shadows are warm.

'Garden' your pictures. In real life your eye filters out the odd deadhead or weed - in a photograph they leap out at you like a sore thumb!

For close-ups of plants, try to fill the frame with your subject. Cut out any unnecessary background and keep what's left as uncluttered as possible.

Experiment with shutter speeds when photographing water. A fast shutter will freeze droplets, while a slow one will give a flowing effect.

Invest in a tripod. Not only does it hold the camera steadier than you can, it also slows you down and makes you look more carefully at your subject and how you frame it.

Garden records

If you are keeping a photographic record of your garden, try photographing different features separately for greater impact. Pond, pergola, patio - each is worth a picture.

Aster novi-belgii 'Patricia Ballard'

Photograph the garden through the seasons - you'll be surprised how much the scene changes during the year.

Or make a point of photographing it on the same dates each year and comparing notes. If, like me, you are gradually renovating an overgrown garden, take before and after pictures of each stage.

They'll cheer you up when it all feels like a losing battle!

My favourite garden aspects

I have been privileged to photograph many beautiful gardens across the county and, as a keen but inexperienced gardener myself, I have learnt about practical techniques and have been inspired by wonderful garden design and spectacular planting.

I really enjoy my visits, and in particular, the friendships I have built over the years with many garden owners.

Gardeners are, without exception, a remarkably friendly bunch - it must be something to do with being in contact with Mother Earth.