The Photographer has an Agenda!

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The photos of albicans and Florintina on the back cover of ROOTS have sparked comment on intent. What was the reason for showing such a just-open bloom of albicans? Why not select a more mature, more typical appearing blossom?
....As the photographer responsible for the shot, I can assure you there was 'malice aforethought'! It would have helped if some explanation accompanied the In Retrospect back cover pictures, but they generally stand on merit sans benefit of words.
....albicans has long fascinated me with one aspect of its appearance when freshly opening. It regularly shows a geometrically perfect triangle or better described 'roof peak' shape in its upper standards. I see this shape in some other cultivars, but never to the extent and frequency that albicans displays it. Other descriptors may serve to point the way towards identifying an unknown clump as albicans, however for me, the absolute clincher is observing a newly opened bloom and seeing the typical roof peak shape.
....Figure 1 shows the shot of albicans used in the In Retrospect feature of Fall 1992, ROOTS.
....Figure 2 is a reproduction of the bloom of white form of albicans, (a) plate XXXV in The Genus Iris, W.R. Dykes, 1913.
....Figure 3 shows a mature bloom of albicans.
....The photo used in ROOTS illustrated one characteristic of albicans exaggerated to the maximum extent possible with specimens available when the photo was taken. The object of the photo was to illustrate the conical standards as clearly as possible. The tucked standards were an unfortunate side effect of selecting a bloom which showed the 'roof-effect' at maximum.
....

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

 Figure 1
I. albicans -- just open

 Figure 2
The Genus Iris -- Plate XXXV

 Figure 3
I. albicans -- mature flower
....You may expect flower pictures will be slanted towards illustrating the point that the person behind the camera holds as a goal. This will be achieved as well as possible within the limits of the photographers skill and the available material. The degree of 'slant' or agenda is often in direct proportion to the skill of the photographer. If you have not previously seen the Josh Westrich/Ben Hager annotated photo essay, THE IRIS, the rainbow flower, 1989, I strongly recommend a review of this book. It is one of the best illustrations of a photographer's 'different vision.' I find that it often conflicts with experienced irisarians concept of how a flower should be properly depicted.
....A second concern when photographing an iris is choosing between two opposing views on how the flower should be shown. Should the photo illustrate the most typical bloom that can be obtained -- well focused, well composed, a straight-on, no frills clinical shot, evenly illuminated in mid-morning to mid-afternoon diffused light? Or, should an iris be shown to best possible advantage, flattering lighting, forgiving angle, the one perfect bloom available on the clump? Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the same iris -- figure 4 shows a typical flower of that cultivar, figure 5 is a 'glamour shot' -- the most flattering depiction of that iris variety the photographers skill and equipment could produce.
....A number of irisarians have observed that the glamour or catalog shot is misleading and does not show what can be expected from a variety. It has also been mentioned that the catalog shot tends to give older iris a 'sameness' that is not evident when the warts and flaws are shown. In many cases, particularly with iris photos used in ROOTS, a cultivar has been photographed in several gardens over a three or four year period and the best shot selected.
....A photographer will normally wish to provide the very best images that skill, material, equipment, location and subject will allow. How a subject should be rendered is a decision slanted towards the majority of the intended viewers. We have not had dialog on this subject in HIPS. Your opinions are invited.

 figure 4
Mme. Henri Cayeux -- Warts and all ...back

  figure 5
Mme. Henri Cayeux -- Best Possible ...back

 This is 'Real Life' warts and all. No effort is taken to clean up, groom or select a good bloom. This 'just as it is' philosophy can be seen in the Random House Book of Perennials by Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix.

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 This is a Glamour Queen shot. The most perfect bloom, at the peak of its existance is chosen. Lighting, camera angle and composition are all carefully chosen to show this flower 'better than life.'

Also known as a Catalog Photo.