The Art of Choosing and Taking the Best Photos

The best Greenside paintings usually begin with a photo that captures both the player and the place. A great golf photo doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to hold a moment from the round.

Here are a few types of photos that tend to translate beautifully into watercolor:

The Shot

A player in motion — a tee shot, an approach, or a follow-through — with the course opening out in front of them.

Often the best images show the golfer small in the environment, with the course doing much of the storytelling.

The Signature Hole

Photos taken on iconic holes — the coastline at Bandon, the dunes at Pinehurst, the cliffs at Pebble Beach — often make especially meaningful paintings.

These images capture both the golfer and the character of the course.

The Golf Trip

Many of the most meaningful Greenside paintings come from golf trips.

A round with friends, a sunset tee time, or a quiet moment late in the day can become a lasting memory of the place and the experience.

The Green Moment

A player walking toward the flag, reading a putt, or standing beside the cup can create a quiet scene that translates beautifully into watercolor.