Robert Terrebonne exhibit 2008

Walking in a garden often evokes a sense of wonder, especially when the garden contains exotic plants, such as a tropical garden, for example. The garden visitor will see a beautiful flower which is unfamiliar and think, or say, “I wonder what that is.”

Oftentimes, when a flower or plant is especially striking, the sense of wonder goes beyond this literal meaning of wonder as intellectual curiosity and evokes emotional responses like admiration, marvel and amazement.

In “A Garden of Wonder” photographer Robert Terrebonne captures the sense of wonder in both meanings of the word. Some of his photos, such as those of the tulip ginger and the orchid tree from tropical gardens on Maui, might elicit the “I-wonder-what-that-is response.” But he uses his photographic skills and his creative vision to go beyond the literal to the deeper meanings of wonder.

He accomplishes this by photographing not just in exotic tropical gardens, but also in local gardens with familiar everyday plants, such as tulips, irises, and camellias. Using a macro lens and carefully controlling focus and exposure, he captures images of the familiar items in a garden--flowers, leaves, and insects--in photos that resemble abstract paintings and that evoke a sense of wonder in all of its meanings.

Robert Terrebonne has been photographing gardens and other natural areas in California and Hawaii for many years. He has won many awards and exhibited in juried shows in both Maui and the Bay area. Like most photographers today he works in a digital format from camera to computer to printer. Currently his work is on exhibit at the Main Gallery in Redwood City, CA.