Macro Photography of Slipper Orchids

A few days ago, I was contacted by a friend whom I’ve known all along to be an avid flower and antique furniture collector. At her residence the latter is more evident (she’s always got food so I could find no reason to hang out at the patio). Some 5 years back, she was given an orchid plant as a gift and she’s looked after it every since and very recently the fruit of her labour has given her a surprisingly rare and gorgeous species of Slipper Orchids. Let’s just call her Evelyn (the owner, not the flower) who carefully transported her specimen to my studio last night to have the intricate details captured beyond what the human eye can see.

In my research leading up to the photo shoot, I learnt a thing or two about Orchids that they are possibly the largest family of flowering plants with species estimated to range from 15,000 to 30,000. Of these, one particular group has captured the interests of scientists and horticulturalists and it’s the Slipper Orchids (name comes from the slipper-shaped lip of the flowers). These orchids are further grouped into 5 distinctive groups: Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Cypripedium, Mexipedium and Selenipedium orchids. At the time of writing, my knowledge of this beautifully detailed flower is limited to its appearance.

The Slipper Orchids © Jan Shim Photography