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Cypripedium candidum


Cypripedium candidum
Photo Information
Copyright: John Denk (jpdenk) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 265 W: 1 N: 396] (1076)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1977-05-15
Categories: Flowers
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-02-20 9:10
Viewed: 638
Points: 11
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Cypripedium candidum, the Small White Lady Slipper orchid, a rare, little beauty now VERY rare in the Chicago area. This beautiful little orchid lives in wet, alkaline soils such as calcareous fens and prairie that has a thin layer of moist soil over limestone pebbles. These habitats are disappearing here as the urban sprawl gobbles up all the surrounding natural areas that aren't under protection. The location where this photo was made is now an Illinois State Nature Preserve, so they are protected, although I have no idea how many of these orchids are left there, as I haven't visited the site in many, many years. At the time that I took this photo, there were hundreds of blooming plants in an area of perhaps 3 acres. I hope to visit there this coming May to try photographing them again.

The species is found over a wide range in northeastern North America, and may be locally abundant in some areas where their habitat is still undisturbed but overall it is a rare species. Another problem is that plant poachers often dig them up in a fruitless effort to grow it in their gardens, or to sell to orchid fanciers. Here in Illinois, it is officially a Threatened species.

This is an old photo from back when I was just starting out in nature photography. I didn't have a proper macro lens, so this was taken with my ancient Nikkor-S 50mm lens and an extension tube of some sort on my Nikkormat FT2 body.

This photo was made in mid-May, 1977, Ektachrome 64 film. Shutter speed and f/stop were not recorded, although it's obvious that I should have used a smaller f/stop, as the depth of field isn't very good. Camera was hand-held, no flash. The slide was scanned using an Epson 4870 Pro scanner.
boreocypriensis, Ena, Ishi, zulfu, mesquens, nirmalroberts has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To nirmalroberts: Thank youjpdenk 1 05-16 08:25
To mesquens: Cropped versionjpdenk 1 03-04 19:54
To mesquens: Thanksjpdenk 1 03-03 12:20
To zulfu: Thanks to everyonejpdenk 1 02-21 19:38
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello my dear friend John

An excelent close-up of this beautiful flower with wonderful details, nice DOV, POV and framing friend!
TFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 61 N: 570] (2341)
  • [2008-02-20 10:50]

Hi John,
Beautiful shot!
Nicely composed!
Reagrds
Ena

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 103 W: 0 N: 500] (1896)
  • [2008-02-20 12:18]

Such beauties! Lovely picture despite its age...

TFS!

Ishi

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-02-21 3:04]
  • [+]

Hi John

Wonderful capture of this beautiful flower. TFS. Greetings,
Mehmet

Hi John,
Amazing shot, beautiful Cypredium.
Unfortunately only one flower is sharp. A PPS, croping this flower would solved the problem.
very good Note.
TFS,
Raimundo

Hi John,
Lovely orchid flower.
Such an old picture but still in perfect condition.
I like the original version more than the WorkShop version.
Thanks for sharing.
- Nirmal

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