I’m still in euphoria from touring the vast tulips fields of Holland recently. As my jet-lag fades, the memories of color intensifies. The word stunning doesn’t even touch the beauty of vast patches of vibrant tulip reds, yellows, and pinks and the blues of the intensely aromatic hyacinths.

The lowlands were on display in their glory. Men walked the fields, inspecting for mutations and viruses, and hand-cutting tulips for sale. The bulb growers behead their lovely flowers to enrich the bulb for the next season. Beautiful flowers lay in repose, between rows, cut down in their prime for the sake of future generations.

Swans were nesting throughout the area, awaiting their young. The many varieties of ducks had won the race for hatching their young early. They were already afloat with a train of ducklings in tow.

The Aalsmeer Flower Auction, that is larger than 100 football fields, was a buzz with flowers being purchased for worldwide use, promptly directed to the airport for transport, after their purchase. Tourists can walk a high walkway above this grand canyon of flowers, witnessing the commerce of the floral business. The aroma of flowers here is overwhelming. Only the frugal Dutch would think of charging tourists to view them at work.

The Keukenhof Gardens, which is only open for two months, was manicured for millions of visitors. Ten miles of paths meet visitors with the most astounding varieties of flowers, and exquisite landscaping. Old folks, blanketed in wheelchairs, were in abundance with a multitude of strollers and baby carriages. Gardens are for the young and the old. Most visitors brandished a camera, capturing the colors and grandeur of spring.

You may not be headed to Holland’s tulips, or even Holland, Michigan’s tulip show, but I bet you have a fine garden in your area. Here are some ideas for flower and garden photography.

1 – Try a wide angle lens to show the full scale of a large garden.

2 – Try macro close-ups of the flower and its’ details. Perhaps a bee or butterfly will perch on a petal for you. Patience is key.

3 – When possible, use a tripod. Avoid a windy day, as delicate petals will refuse to pose steadily for the camera.

4 – Get down on your knees or carry a stool for low views,

5 – Be wary of distracting backgrounds. If you can’t crop them out, perhaps you can modify your aperture to throw a troubling background out of focus.

As spring rushes into our life, with its promise of new beginnings, try to find a little time to visit the tranquility of a garden and get that camera of yours cranking.

Please visit my web site at www.suebloom.com.