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Plant Talk

Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Matt Newman

Morning Eye Candy: Happy St. Pat’s!

Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on March 17 2013, by Matt Newman

Decided to go askew with my choice of green today, ’cause why not? The Garden is open on this fine St. Patrick’s Day, as is The Orchid Show. Feel free to stop by! And to all our evening revelers, may your Guinness pours be perfect and your trips home safe.

Sarracenia alata

Sarracenia alata — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

This Weekend: Green on Green

Posted in Around the Garden, Programs and Events on March 15 2013, by Matt Newman

The NYBG WeekendWhat’s the best way to layer green on green, with a sprinkle of green to top it off? For most of you, the answer’s a short trip north! Pay a visit to The New York Botanical Garden this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, stop off to see the lush tropical displays of The Orchid Show in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and revel in a bit of early spring growth. That’s more living color than you’ve probably seen all winter. And it’s as full a holiday weekend as you’re likely to find before you’re pints deep in Sunday night’s grass-colored beer.

From the Perennial Garden to the Grand Allée lawns, signs of spring’s arrival sneak into view, bucking this end-of-the-week cold spell with bright crocus blossoms and a smattering of technicolor irises. Look for those along the Seasonal Walk if you’re so inclined. Meanwhile, the Orchid Show is well into its element with a thousands-strong collection of exotic blooms draping the Conservatory walkways. Actually, Tumblr‘s official Storyboard crew filmed a recent feature on the show–more importantly, the enthusiastic people and behind-the-scenes efforts that make it possible. I’m biased, sure, but it’s so worth three minutes of your time.

So before you set out to test your constitution with more stout, whiskey, and corned beef than you’ll otherwise eat all year, set aside an afternoon for reflection in the city’s finest natural escape.

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Camera Obscura in the Forest

Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on March 13 2013, by Matt Newman

Joel Kroin photographyIt’s a delicate patina that defines Joel Kroin’s photographs. Each black and white image takes on the small specks, blurs, and aberrations of antique film–not far off from how they first appeared when the method was developed in the mid-19th century. Known as camera obscura, or the pinhole camera, Joel has fashioned his own devices from various containers and hand-operated shutters, finding the technique still well-suited to capturing near untouched wilderness. Say, for example, the largest old growth forest in New York City.

Kroin’s work varies with the seasons, of course. Not all landscapes fit the bill for such a time-consuming process. Stately summer trees rounded with foliage make for difficult subjects in a medium which values contrast–too many leaves, too much movement. But the inherent stillness of a winter wood, with its sharp network of barren branches, makes all the difference. Here is where Kroin’s pinhole expertise comes into its own.

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