My love for orchids probably started with my parents. Mum loved growing them and we used to have a shade house built off the veranda that had lots hanging in air. Dad used to point them out as we walked the bush together. I was amazed that he could even see them. I’d stop to admire them too. I learnt a few of the common names of them from him.
So it’s become a bit of an obsession. It even started before I really got into flowers and gardens too. When I worked for TAFE, I’d be stationed somewhere in the stunning Blue Mountains bush with a radio to monitor my students and luckily a camera to entertain myself. Now I work hard at being at a place in orchid season.
My goal soon became the creation of a monochrome series of these beautiful and often missed flowers.
Last year that was Western Australia. I spent time at four different locations during their peek. Stunning. I was able to double my collection of native orchids photographed in situ. The depth and breadth of the ones to photograph in Western Australia is virtually overwhelming.
If you love photographing orchids, then a trip to Western Australia is definitely on your to do list.
I have three different offerings over there this year. One to Esperance where I will return to the arboretum just to photograph the orchids, and the most beautiful beaches in the world, according to Christian Fletcher. One to Cape Naturaliste, and a third to explore abstracts in Perth, where we will play in the rich gardens in the city over the weekend. These all combine classroom sessions and shoots, so they are both a workshop and tour combined.
Donkey Ear Orchid, Cape Naturaliste, Western Australia. Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2020.