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The best place to take pictures of orchids is at a botanical garden. Local fairs are also great, as they display many different kinds of orchids and it is fun to see which ones are judged blue-ribbon worthy. Some cities have orchid societies that put on excellent orchid shows and plant sales. Typically, I ask a lot of questions and have learned a lot about caring for orchids this way. To use good photography etiquette, it is always best to ask for permission to take photos first. I explain that I plan to sell my photos and ask if that is okay. Usually, I get a resounding "sure". Recently, my husband and I took a trip to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. The greenhouse was simply stunning, with giddy photographers (me included) walking around with huge smiles on their faces.
I learned from a short video upon entering the gardens, that orchids are epiphytes. Apparently, Selby gardens has the largest collection in the country. Epiphytes are plants that grow on another plant without harming it. They receive their nutrients from the air and rain. Some other examples of epiphytes are ferns, mosses, lichens and bromeliads. Below is a picture of a bromeliad and Spanish Moss fountain that you will find at Selby. I love this idea and hope to replicate it some day. This would look great in front of my house!
Click HERE to see my Orchids Gallery on Fine Art America.
Click HERE to see other orchid artwork on Fine Art America.
I hope to go back to Selby Gardens soon, to take more photos and to visit their wonderful gift shop. It is almost as beautiful as the gardens themselves!
For information on art classes, photography classes, botany classes, etc, check out Selby.org.
To learn more about orchids, check out the American Orchid Society.
If anyone has the name of a good orchid identifier book, I would really appreciate the information.
Thank you!
Carol
