Photomontages of our 2016 Tall Bearded Irises

by Dawn Mumford

'Dazzling Gold' D. C. Anderson, 1977, 'Broadway' Keith  Keppel, 1979,  'Showcase' Schreiner's, 1973

'Orange Titan' J. T. Aitken, 2007, 'All My Dreams' Paul Black, 2009, 'Winning Hand' Joseph Ghio, 2011,'Barbara My Love' William Maryott, 1998, and 'Orangutan Orange' Brad Kasperek 2009 

I was a commercial artist in a past life (before marriage) and have always understood "Collages" to be pasted and glued objects fixed to a background to make a somewhat new abstract design. So strictly speaking what I make is really a "Photomontage" because it is digital pasting of similar objects together to make a new photo. The software I use calls it a collage but that isn't correct. It may be called collage because of the evolution of the English language. But back in my day it would be called a photomontage.

'Purple Pepper' D. C. Nearpass, 1986, 'Syrian Hills' Schreiner's, 2012, and 'Global Crossing' Robert Van Liere, 2011

This year I took pictures every day of the many irises that opened that day.  The pictures above were taken May 13, 2016.  Then I made montages of them.  I find these montages to be good in many ways.

1.  The montage is taken on the day the blooms open so it records bloom date.

2. I try to group the photos for the montage in colors that could later be used to plan iris beds.  
3. I know that I can use these irises in a single bed because I know they open at the same time.   

'Sea Of Joy' Schreiner's, 1985, 'Decadence' Barry Blyth, 2011, 'Gypsy Lord' Keith Keppel, 2005, 'Showcase' Schreiner's 1973, and 'Tumalo Sunset' Schreiner's  2009. 

This montage shows colors opposite each other on the color wheel so that is called a complimentary color scheme.  Using colors that are across each other in the color wheel will give you maximum contrast because orange will make the purple look darker and vica versa.  

'Master Touch' Schreiner's, 1980, 'Sea Power' Keith Keppel, 1998, 'St. Louis Blues' Schreiner's, 1979, 'Crowned Heads' Keith Keppel, 1996, and 'Snowmound' Schreiner's, 1976

This montage was taken May 31, 2016.   Sometimes some of my irises put out more than one open bloom at a time.  I love the effect. The visual appeal is dramatic. The one trouble is that they will all close together as well. This color scheme is called Analogous meaning they are colors close to each other on the color wheel. 

'Gay Parasol' Schreiner's, 1973, 'Polka' Thomas Johnson, 2009, 'Eagle's Flight' Schreiner's, 1985,'Elizabethan Age' Lowell Baumunk 2005

These flowers bloomed on May 14.  I guess you could say thy all are in one color family (red violet) but they are all subtly different or dramatically different. Again, I think a bed with these colors in it would be pretty. If you wanted more contrast you could add a yellow or an orange or pink.     

'Queen In Calico' James Gibson, 1979 'Vizier' Joseph Ghio, 1997, 'Fashion Diva'  Thomas Johnson, 2009, 'Romantic Gentleman' Barry Blyth, 2002, and 'Grand Classic' Richard Tasco, 2007

Arranging these photos together in a montage shows the slight difference in color of all these red wine colored irises.

'Modern Classic' F. Knocke, 1975, 'Highland Lord' Richard Tasco, 2009, 'Pledge Allegiance' Schreiner's, 1983, 'By Dawn's Early Light' Robert Van Liere, 2013, 'Blutique' Virginia Messick, 1998

There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of purples and blues in the iris world but that doesn't mean that they look the same.  The picture above shows some of the differences. 

'Sea Power' Keith Keppel, 1998, 'Grecian Sea' Anton Mego by Bruce Filardi, 2008, 'Slovak Prince' Anton Mego, 2002, 'Conjuration' Monty Byers, 1988, 'Skywalker' Schreiner's, 1996, 'Like Wow' Schreiner's, 2012

More blues and purples taken May 26, 2016. An interesting note about 'Conjuration', it is at least 50" tall here in our garden.    

'Salzburg Echo' Schreiner's, 2009, 'Overjoyed' Joseph Gatty by Keith Keppel, 1993, 'Expose' Joseph Ghio, 2003 

I don't have a lot of yellows but I love the ones that I have.  

'Batik' (Border Bearded) Allan Ensminger, 1985, 'Millennium Falcon' Brad Kasperek, 1998, 'Kinkajou Shrew' Brad Kasperek, 1999, 'Ocelot'z Lot' (Border Bearded) Brad Kasperek, 2012, 'Blutique' Virginia Messick, 1998, and 'Tiger Honey' Brad Kasperek, 1993,

I have started collecting "Broken Color" iris like those pictured above.  I find them fascinating.  I now have about 29 of them. 

There are many software programs that you can use to make collages or more correctly photomontages.  The one I use is no longer available but a search on line reveals lots and lots of programs that work. Smilebox and Shutterfly both have one.  

I have found collages or photomontages to be extremely useful as explained previously in this blog. Give them a try. Let me know if you do them and which software you have. How well does it work and how easy is it to use? If you comment on this article it will let others know what other software is out there and tell me and others who read this blog about it.      

TALL BEARDED IRIS - A NEW PERSPECTIVE

BY DAWN MUMFORD

It finally dawned on me (pun intended) that I had been limiting myself by taking pictures that look similar to iris vendor catalog shots.

The pictures in vendor catalogs generally show you a close-up looking at the middle of a fall or looking between two falls. This is a good way to show us the primary characteristics and coloring of the iris so that we know what we are buying.

But why continue to take pictures as if I am a vendor when I am not? I am not going to publish a catalog or send out a brochure. I can have more freedom, options and artistic ability if I take a variety of different poses from different distances.

'Elizabethan Age'  Lowell Baumunk, 2005

This photograph has four open blooms, a different perspective, and several buds as well as several blurred clumps in the background making for an interesting color combination and artistic composition.  'Elizabethan Age' is so stately and loves to bloom with its identical quadruplets.

'Be Original' - Joseph Ghio, 2008 & 'Versailles'  Keith Keppel, 2006          

In contrast, I took these pictures in the traditional "catalog pose". I love them both and think it's a great way to photograph each bloom, but the purpose of this article is to explore other perspectives as you will see below.

   

'Prague'  Thomas Johnson, 2004

Notice in this photograph I am capturing two blooms at once as well as two flanking buds. This was 'Prague's' second year blooming in our garden and I especially enjoyed peeking at the underlining of the falls.

'Victoria Falls'  Schreiner, 1977

'Victoria Falls' makes a wonderful splash of blue when photographed from eight feet away. As long as you have no heavy winds, you will love this flower.

'Mink Pink'  Brad Kasperek, 2011
 'Winning Hand' Joseph Ghio, 2011

Foreground has 'Mink Pink' by Brad Kasperek and in the distance 'Winning Hand'. I believe this picture is more enjoyable because of the combination of flowers.

'English Charm'  Barry Blyth, 1989

I was pleasantly surprised by the blend of colors from our maiden bloom of this flower. This iris has flowers tipped every which way but they are "charming".

'Drama Queen'  Keith Keppel, 2002

'Drama Queen' never takes a bad photograph. I deliberately sharpened the focus on the front flower and blurred the one behind. To me, this makes the picture more artistically pleasing.

'Romantic Gentleman'  Barry Blyth, 2002

'Romantic Gentleman' was also a maiden bloom this year. I would have taken more pictures of this iris with it's lovely color and branching, however, this bloom is particularly susceptible to white spots from rain and we had a lot of rain during its bloom period.

Don't forget to take some far away shots and even some panoramic ones. I can't think of a better way of showing the garden setting. Another advantage is the weeds don't show as much.

'St. Louis Blues'  Schreiner,  1979

'St. Louis Blues' is fairly old but look at the contrasting beards, the branching. and the rich blue color.

'Happenstance' Keith Keppel, 2000

This image has one image superimposed on top of the other. I think it adds novelty.

'Shouting Match' Keith Keppel, 2013

This was a maiden boom and I appreciate one in front of the other.

'Eye for Style' Barry Blyth, 2006

This pretty bloom branches itself beautifully as if competing for attention.

Do you find yourself producing photos that conform to the conventions of the iris catalogs? Try some different angles and see how you like the results. Let me know your results or better yet publish them or send me a copy. Have fun and experiment a little with some new perspectives.

"Talking Irises" TALL BEARDED IRISES 2016--A banner year

By Susanne Holland Spicker

'LIMERANCE' Blyth 2009 -This first-time bloomer has huge, ruffled falls and wonderful veining

The tall bearded iris bloom here in the top of Utah in the 2016 season was one of the best in recent memory. I had several varieties that bloomed for the first time in the garden, so, as you can imagine, I was excited to get up early and hurry outside to see what was new in the iris beds--it was better than Christmas morning!  

(Back to front) 'LOUISA'S SONG' (Blyth 2000), 'FEATURE ATTRACTION' 

(Schreiner 1994), 'ARISTOCRACY' (Keppel 2006), 'SOUTHERN MORNING' (Metler 2011), 
'EXTRAVAGANT' (Hamblen 1984), 'PARISIAN DAWN' (Keppel 2006),
'WEDDING BELLE' (Keppel 2007), 'EVER AFTER' (Keppel 1986)

I'd like to thank the many hybridizers for their stunning flowers. Their irises have given beauty, lifted spirits, and been a source of enjoyment to so many of us iris lovers over the years, and I appreciate their time and efforts in making the world a more beautiful place. Thank you!

'LENTEN PRAYER' (Schreiner 1998) My favorite iris in this shade--Huge, velvety blooms!

I'm sharing some of my pet blooms from one of my favorite beds. I love this color palette, with rich lavender, purple, rose, soft pink and shrimp shades. It wasn't hard to coordinate a bed of these shades, as there are a host of irises to choose from in these colors. Pictured is a sampling of some of my favorite irises as I walk through the bed. These are ones I especially love.

(Left to Right) 'APHRODISIAC' (Schreiner 1986), 'MAGHAREE' Blyth 1986),

 'BOLD EXPRESSION' (Ernst 2003), 'PURPLE SERENADE' (Schreiner 2005)

'DANDY CANDY' (Ernst 2001) The unique coloring of this iris makes it a visitor's favorite!

'OXFORD COUNTESS' (Blyth 2007) This huge, magnificent bloom takes your breath away!

(Forefront) 'PLANNED TREASURE' (Burger 1985), 'CENTER ICE' (Ghio 2010),  'GITANO' (Keppel 2007), 'FLORENTINE SILK' (Keppel 2005),

 'MIDNIGHT REVELRY' Schreiner 2005)

'FLORENTINE SILK' (Keppel 2005) A well-deserved award winner. Very reliable and prolific and one of my favorites in these colors

'DARING DECEPTION' (Johnson 2012) This iris stands out in the garden. Wow!

'ROMANTIC GENTLEMAN' (Blyth 2002) A clump of this is stunning!

'LOUISA'S SONG' (Blyth 2000) Always perfect blooms on sturdy stems

'PHOTOGENIC' (Ghio 2006) Aptly named, this iris is a favorite to photograph

'Kitty Kay' (Keppel 2002) Perfection! 

'CENTER ICE' (Ghio 2010) This first-time bloomer had an especially long flower life. Gorgeous blooms!

'ZANDRIA' (Nebeker 1996) I love the colors on this beauty--the beard is striking!

'PLUM PRETTY WHISKERS' (Spoon 2003) I got this because of an iris friend--and it didn't disappoint.  Beautiful!

'EYE FOR STYLE' (Blyth 2006) Outstanding color on this huge beauty! I love the shade it fades to over time, as shown in this photo

'MING LORD' ( Blyth 2006) With beautiful, velvety falls and bright beard--excellent!

'PERSIAN BERRY' (Gaulter 1977) Another favorite I got because of an iris friend. The soft shades and markings on the haft of this beautiful iris are unique. Thanks, Renee!

'FANCY STUFF' (Brown 2001) If you love lace, this is for you. Beautiful in every way! Opens up nicely.

'ELIZABETHAN AGE' (Baumunk 2005) This iris is a long bloomer. Lovely!

Some of these may be new to you; others I'm sure are on your list of favorites, too. 

What were some of your favorite blooms this year? Was it a good year iris season in your area?  I'd love to hear from you!