Photographing Hibiscus

in Garden Focus by Britt — August 6, 2010 at 12:51 pm | 0 comments

I am finding that I have many favorite blooms now that I am on a more intimate basis with flowers around town. More often than not I like them for very different reasons. Hibiscus blooms are one of my all time favorite to photograph, for example.

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

They have so many parts that can be explored . Each one is unique and full of detail.

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

Due to the delicacy of their petals, you can photograph them sunlit from behind and still get great color. They almost look like x-rays.

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

They also are fascinating in nearly every stage of their development. Even the buds have lovely veins which surge out from buds. Once open the structural use of them becomes clear. Each vein acts like a mast that helps stiffen its part of petal’s great sail.

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

Such a large bloom lends itself to isolation within the image. You can photograph just the parts you want or the relationship between two parts.

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

The best part about these blooms is that they are big, bold and beautiful.

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

They are also full of tremendous delicacy and yet heavy with tangible detail throughout.

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

You can find them at nearly every major garden. I found this one (above) at Vizcaya in Miami, Florida. The one below was from a visit to Fairchild Botanical Gardens, also located in Miami.

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

Norfolk Botanical Garden in Virginia proudly display these lovely orange blossoms in their conservatory.

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

I also keep an eye out for them when visiting other destinations. This one below from my last trip to Disney World. Their flowers were just stunning!

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

Longwood, one of my favorite gardens has an entire section of it’s greenhouses devoted to more species of Hibiscus than I could count!

Hibiscus © Britt Conley

You don’t always have to catch them in full display. Sometimes there a beauty to one thats fallen from the weight of the rain. You never know what you’ll find when photographing Hibiscus. Maybe that’s why I love them so.