In an effort to chase away the dullness of another gray winter day, I traveled yesterday with some friends to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, VA to see a spectacular display of orchids.
There was an amazing variety of orchids of all sizes and color, displayed in several areas of a large indoor glass conservatory. I know very little about orchids, but my eyes were especially drawn to a variety called Lady’s Slippers that are in the sub-family Cypripedioideae. According to Wikipedia, orchids of this type are characterized by slipper-shaped pouches that traps insects so they are forced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit pollen, thus fertilizing the flower.
Here is a front view of a green-and-yellow Lady’s Slipper. Although the orchids were amazingly beautiful, it was often difficult to get good backgrounds for images of the flowers, because of visual clutter. I dealt with the issue by using my macro lens and concentrating on small elements of individual flowers.
My friend and photography mentor, Cindy Dyer, however, was better prepared for this by carrying along a piece of white cardboard to help isolate the flowers and simplify the background. (You should check out her blog for beautiful photos of orchids and other flowers and insects).
The second and third images, which provide a side view of the Lady’s Slipper, were taken with a few seconds of each other, one with the existing background and one using Cindy’s white cardboard. In many ways, I like the look of the white background—it reminds me a little of a botanical print, but it is definitely unnatural.
Which version of the side view do you prefer?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
While the white cardboard brings out the darker colors, especially the ‘hairs’ on the petals and stem, I like the 3rd photo best, providing that dark background with the white petals.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Most of the time I prefer the 3rd photo too, but–as you pointed out–each of the two views has pluses.
The biologist in me liked Photo 1 because I can kinda peer into the slipper sack. However, aesthetics win on Photo 3.
Yes, that white cardboard sharpens the flower image, but I actually prefer the natural vegetation background.
You’ve hit upon the essential dilemma, Sue. Is is better keep a natural background? I am used to photographing flowers outdoors, and the ideal situation is to be able to have a beautiful blurred green background. The image that I took with the white background one of the few that I took with that approach, but I thought it would be good to see what others thought. (Tomorrow I’ll post a few more orchid photos with more color–and no white background).
All these pictures are superb! 🙂
Difficult choice! The white background really puts the flower in focus, it looks like a picture in an orchid encyclopedia. But I think I like the last one most, because it looks natural and the background colours compliment the orchid very well. Nice shots, Mike! all of them 🙂
Thanks, Calee. I think the majority of folks like the last image better. It was really enjoyable to be surrounded by so much color at the orchid exhibit, but I will be happier when I can see those colors outdoors.
I like the last photo more than the one with the white background but I can see how that background would be very useful in certain situations. I think I might use a soft gray or even black though.The white looks too much like snow to me and it’s doubtful that an orchid would ever bloom in the snow.
I prefer the natural background.. it shows the color of the orchid better.
Oh my, oh my! I prefer the natural background. The white background one looks like a mounted speciman.