Chicago Botanic Garden Spring 2020

34 chicagobotanic.org Nymphaeaceae/Waterlily Abstract photograph by Linda Goldsher Linda Goldsher got a taste of photogra- phy when she rst took a class at the Garden, and she didn’t stop at just one. “ ey were all just so good. I’m having a blast.” Techniques she learned, like slowing the shutter speed while moving the camera, helped her gain an even deeper appreciation. “You’re capturing a moment in time and that moment is never going to be there again, which I love,” she said. The Guest painting by Lyndsay Murphree Strolling around the Garden is a favorite activity of Lyndsay Murphree, who nds calm and inspiration in natural surround- ings. “ ere’s some- thing about being outside—you just feel better,” she said. A self-taught artist, Murphree was ready to learn di erent techniques to strengthen her skill set. “I’m at the Garden constantly taking walks and I love being out in nature. When I found out that they had a pro- gram for botanical illustration, it was perfect—the two things that I love,” she said. Firethorn Bonsai illustration by Susan Towne For Susan Towne, botanical illustration is more than just producing beautiful pictures. “ e observation, the produc- tion of the image itself, and the little marks that you make on paper—that is a very contemplative, meditative expe- rience,” she said. “I grew to enjoy that process.” Towne says the ability to share what you nd with others is an added bonus. “When I look at a tiny ower, like a ower that has stripes on the very inside—that’s a hidden treasure for us to nd. If I wind up portraying that, I have now given that gift to somebody else.” Dash to Spider Island photograph by Linda Dooley Making the transition from lm photography to digital can be tricky. But Linda Dooley felt ready to take the leap when she found digital photography classes at the Garden. “I started taking classes at the Garden four years ago and with every class, I gain several pearls of wisdom.” Trying new methods she learned in class, Dooley took a stab at capturing motion. “ is is the rst time I tried to capture motion. It turned out to be the best picture I took all year.” Learn more Develop your skills with world-class instructors, meet like-minded enthusiasts, and explore the creative process with photography or botanical arts classes at the Regenstein School. Your work could be part of next year’s exhibitions. chicagobotanic.org/education From page 32