Pogonia ophioglossoides- Rose Pogonia 1931

This photograph of Rose Pogonia orchids was made by Edwin Hale Lincoln, though the exact date remains unknown. It's a close-up, almost like a portrait, with the flowers stretching, yearning to be seen, standing against the blankness of the background. Looking at this image, I imagine Lincoln, carefully setting up his equipment, patiently waiting for the right light, trying to capture the delicacy and resilience of these flowers. It’s like a painter trying to capture a fleeting moment, the way light hits a surface, the subtle gradations of color. I can almost feel the texture of the paper, the way the light catches the silver. There’s something so intimate about a photograph like this, a sense of connection between the artist and the subject. I think of other artists like Georgia O'Keeffe who captured the essence of flowers. This feels like part of that ongoing conversation, where artists inspire each other to see the world in new ways. It invites us to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.