John’s Photography Blog  2016                           February 4, 2016

We are having a great winter here in the Phoenix area.  Cool but not too cold, a rain storm moving through once in a while with a day or two before and after with beautiful clouds.  Who could ask for more?

I had an Iris bloom in early January and I shot it with black background.   Also had some roses still blooming this month so I shot them as well. Shown below.

Here’s an address to look at some more photos for your inspiration By Coleen J. Miniuk Sperry, an exceptional photographer and teacher living in the East Valley. www.cms-photo.com/   I’ve had the  pleasure to have heard her speak several times and have attended seminars with her in Moab and here in Phoenix.  She has several books and e-Books out.  In the site go to Galleries/The Natural World/Flora

I am so excited and expectant of a great Arizona Wild Flower Show coming up starting this month.  The rains have been timely and sufficient and as the weather warms, the desert will blossom.  I was in the White Tanks on Sunday afternoon as the storm was approaching the East Valley.  I saw my first spring bloom of a small Brittlebush in a pocket area.  Not much of a bush, but the first I have seen.  I have predicted February 15^th but it will be sooner than that.  Get ready!!

So, to get ready for the wild flowers we need to go through our gear and think about the kind of photography we will be doing.  It’s not all macro photography but we certainly can do some macro.  Here’s are my suggestions of equipment to take on the wild flower outings.

Camera(s) and extra batteries

Wide angle zoom lens

Telephoto zoom lens

50 mm f 1.8 lens

105 mm f 2.8 macro lens

Extention tubes or Diopter filters

Tripod(s)

Cable release (or electronic shutter release)

Lens cloth(s)

Sensor cleaning kit.

Knee Pads (or garden kneeling pad)

Polarizer

Graduated ND filter

Reflector and diffuser

External Flash  and extra batteries

 ( learn to use it off-camera)

Poster boards of various colors for background

Hoodman Loop(if you have one)

Photo vest (if you have one)

Plamp (can make from 2 clamps and a length of solid wire)

Backpack or Camera bag to carry all that stuff

Water and snacks, sun screen and bug repellent

Camp Chair

If rain threatens:

Large Umbrells

Personal rain gear

Garbage bag(s)

Hat

Camera rain cover

Hand towel(s)

I was driving along the access road to  101 Loop this afternoon, 2/4/16 and saw this: