An orangery or orangerie was a building in the grounds of fashionable residences from the 17th to the 19th centuries and given a classicising architectural form. The orangery was similar to a greenhouse or conservatory. The name reflects the original use of the building as a place where citrus trees[1] were often wintered in tubs under cover, surviving through harsh frosts. The orangery provided a luxurious extension of the normal range and season of woody plants, extending the protection which had long been afforded by the warmth offered from a masonry fruit wall.[2] A century after the use for orange and lime trees had been established, other varieties of tender plants, shrubs and exotic plants also came to be housed in the orangery, which often gained a stove for the upkeep of these delicate plants in the cold winters of northern Europe. As imported citrus fruit, pineapples and other tender fruit became generally available and much cheaper, orangeries were used more for tender ornamental plants.

As to the photography technique, to some extent that depends on what sort of camera you have. I achieve the results in different ways with the two cameras that I have. The effect is not possible with all cameras.

Not being the best at photography/needing more practice and education, perhaps you can teach me how to get objects in the forefront to focus if there’s more backlighting behind them than in the room, such as a window, some day? I tried it yesterday and let’s just say none of those attempts are the ones that ended up on my blog today

Just in case, Andrew’s dropping by.