ummmm..., hi

[charley]

Newbie to Orchids, posts in general, and this specific post, (so bear with me,) but i decided I should get on the train with the rest of you as I cannot seem to stop buying Orchids to replace the ones I kill (see Einstein's definition of insanity.) I am a photographer (wet, silver) who, while shooting numerous plants for a project, decided to shoot a couple of Orchids in flower, in Black and White. I still shoot them, when I can afford to buy flowering ones, but I also am trying to grow more. In my hunt for a "special" look, I discovered some of the Dracula species. Still enthralled, but ignorant of almost everything (about Dracula Orchids I mean.)
Anyway, Hi out there, to all of you Orchid lovers! Glad I found such a friendly and supportive (as far as I know) group. I live in the upper midwest - dry in winter, ultra humid and hot in summer. Anyway look forward to speaking with many of you. Gotta go shovel the snow.

[Ross]

OK, so... lots of questions! First.. Welcome to the best and foremost Orchid Board anywhere! Second, as a fellow photog, ask away on tecyhnique. I mostly started buying orchids so I could add them to my collection of images! Since then it has migrated to a passion of plants in general (that doesn't make sense, does it?) My underlying reason to buy new orchids is to record the images. Anyway, here ya on the snow (we got inches today).

[sjMagoo]

Oh yeah - I can relate to the snow demands. But, hey, it makes the place we live in green and beautiful.

Upper Mid-West....North Dakota? Minn?

Welcome to Orchid Board !!!!

welcome !

[cb977]

Hi Charley

You've definitely found the right place and yes...we really are a friendly and supportive group

[terrestrial_man]

Welcome to THE BOARD, Charley!

[Tindomul]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!! Glad you came to us. With me, I first started keeping frogs, their enclosures look better with plants, then I decided to try an orchid or two, which quickly turned into an orchid or 50! Photography (digital ) is my third hobby, as in it celebrates the other two. Any photography tips appreciated!

[CodiMN]

Glad you're here Charley! I have found this site really helpful and I am finding that just about everyone here has gone through a lot of the same situations that I am with my orchids.
Everyone knows a lot and is really helpful! It's neat to know too that there are sooooo many different kinds of orchids to get involved with too.
Have fun,
Carolyn (CodiMN)

[Toddybear]

Welcome Charley...I am also into photography....my Nikon Coolpic 8800 has fantastic macro capabilities...excellent for orchids (and flowers in general).

[charley]

Part of the reason for getting into Orchids was a trip my wife and I took to, you guessed it, Oregon and Washington. The upper NW looks to be the place to grow them in my yard as weeds! You guys and your cool humidity. Anyway, I (and the wife and dog and cats) are stuck here in Omaha, winter humidity around 1%, with very few options as far as buying Orchids, so I resort to the Web. Any advice on buying over the internet is greatly appreciated, especially if you know of a great source for Draculas, which seems to be the direction I am going.

[charley]

You folks in Michigan get a whole lot more snow than us, I know, as 1. I am from Chicago and, 2. I have friends in Ann Arbor. Anyway, I am stuck here in Omaha with my wife (wait, that didn't sound right...) and our dog and the current two, or four, cats (I lose track.) As far as the photog, I shoot 99% black and white film. My next project is to shoot Orchids, close ups and full plants, with a giant press camera, negative size 14 inches x 17 inches. I am enthralled with the forms and shapes and tones that the plants, especially the flowers, express. As you can probably guess, it all comes down to lighting, and of course finding plants in good flower and with undisturbed fronds etc... I generally shoot with continuous lighting instead of flash, only because it is so much easier to see the final effect. So, what are you doing with the photog?