Local Shutterbug Captures Orchids' Beauty in new Exhibit, "The Color of Light," August 4-31 at AOS August 3, 2008

Anthony Merone can’t really explain what possessed him to devote countless hours of spare time to photographing orchids in the botanical garden and greenhouse of the American Orchid Society.

The former sports photographer and Deerfield Beach resident said in all he took close to 10,000 photographs over about three years, returning again and again to capture stunning color and detail.

“All I know is what I see looks beautiful to me,” said Merone, who will present 38 of the images in an exhibit, “The Color of Light,” on display in the AOS atrium August 4-31. A reception, featuring refreshments and an opportunity to speak with the artist, is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on August 7. All displayed works will be for sale, as will additional prints available in the gift shop. During the reception, the AOS garden will be open to the public without an admission fee, and the AOS gift shop will offer 20 percent off all items, except artwork.

Merone first became interested in orchids after sitting in on a class taught by fine art photographer Vincent Versace at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre in Delray Beach, where students happened to be working on photos of orchids.

“I couldn’t believe how beautiful they were,” said Merone, who soon thereafter visited the 3.5-acre AOS gardens. “I took my first trip to AOS and got hooked.”

Inspired by the color, beauty and diversity of the flowers, Merone said he avoids the common black and white images of orchids many photographers take and strives to work with contrast and light to preserve their true colors. It’s not easy, however.

“Some of them are just colors you can’t reproduce,” he said. “They are almost like their own little world. They are just incredible. They have faces. I shot these orange flowers, and they looked like little lions.” Merone’s enthusiasm comes across in his art, said Valerie Smith, director of special events and community relations for AOS. Smith approached the photographer and asked to see his work after he became a fixture around the gardens.

“Anthony has an excellent eye for capturing the beauty of an orchid,” Smith said. “It’s not easy to take a photo of an orchid – often there are leaves in the way, and some are facing upward or downward.”

Smith said the exhibit, which is free and open to the public, fits well with AOS’ mission of conveying the beauty of tropical plants and trees. Merone said he hopes folks will come away from the exhibit with an appreciation for the sheer beauty of nature.

“Come and see something beautiful that the Earth produces,” he said.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY: Headquartered in Delray Beach, the American Orchid Society (AOS) is home to botanical gardens, an atrium/greenhouse adorned with blooming orchids that change continuously, the Orchid Emporium gift shop, reference library/archives, and a staff dedicated to orchid education through classes, lectures and programs.

With nearly 18,000 members around the world, the AOS is one of the largest special-interest horticultural organizations in the world. The AOS Visitors Center and Botanical Garden has also become a popular site for corporate meetings and special events, such as weddings and private parties. The AOS facility and gardens are open to the public daily from 10am until 4:30pm. Regular admissions are $10 for adults and free for children under 12. Seniors 65 and older receive $1 off admission. The AOS Botanical Garden is located at 16700 AOS Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33446. For more information, please call 561-404-2000 or visit www.aos.org.

AOS Open House for South Florida Residents

August 2–8 All Palm Beach County residents enjoy the AOS Garden free of charge, every day of the week, the first week of August.

August 9–15 All Broward County residents enjoy the AOS Garden free of charge, every day of the week, the second week of August.

August 16–22 All Miami-Dade County residents enjoy the AOS Garden free of charge, every day of the week, the third week in August.

August 23–29 All Martin County, St. Lucie County, and Indian River County residents enjoy the AOS Garden free of charge, every day of the week, fourth week of August.