Ellen Hoverkamp

FROM MY NEIGHBOR’S GARDEN…

April 13 – June 20, 2012

Opening Reception and Book Signing Event

Friday,  April 13, 2012

5:00 to 8:30 pm

As part of the FLORA Spring Exhibition

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Presentation and Demonstration 

Saturday, April 14, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

(Click here for details and registration)

 

Photography documents the ephemeral. Throughout history, photographic processes have uniquely served the photographer’s intention. Ellen Hoverkamp has used the flatbed scanner as a camera since 1997, preferring the dramatic, detailed, three-dimensional look resulting from scanning objects at high resolution. She usually brings plant cuttings and objects from nature to her studio for imaging but she has on occasion set up her equipment on location, scanning plants picked “straight from the garden.”

Items may be propped up or weighted down or need to be suspended to rest gently on the glass platen of her Epson 10000XL Graphic Arts Flatbed Scanner. Making several passes of the scanner at low resolution, Ellen experiments with and builds the image composition, making adjustments in the scanner software settings. It usually takes an hour or two for this phase of the process. Then using Photoshop, she works to adjust color, tone and sharpness, digitally retouching lint, haze and pollen from the image. Ellen prints and presents photographs using archival media.

“I have been inspired by Victorian botanical illustration, particularly “Language Of Flowers” bouquets, prints and drawings of collections and Dutch and Flemish still life painting. For the book, “Natural Companions,” I collaborated with Author Ken Druse to design botanical photographs formatted specifically to illustrate particular essays to serve the gardener. I have always sought to bring honor to the efforts of gardeners in the depiction of selected plants, preserving visual souvenirs of a particular moment in the garden. Probably the most rewarding aspect of this project has been my dependence on others for natural materials to scan. I am invited to visit the gardens and farms of my friends, neighbors and family, to pick their sustainably grown plants, and vegetables for my work. Membership in a local farm market is another treasured resource. I have been given feathers and eggs. Nest and shell collections have been lent. I am very grateful for the sense of community built over the years with so many generous gardeners and farmers, all of us guardians of nature’s beauty.”

Fine art prints signed by the Artist are available in various sizes as well as note cards and signed copies of her  book “Natural Companions: The Garden Lover’s Guide to Plant Combinations”  in collaboration with Ken Druse and published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang / 2012. For all inquiries contact Floreantprojects@gmail.com