Well, I feel like a slacker. A couple of weeks ago I offered to answer questions, and then never got back to them. And there were a lot less than I thought there would be, so I have no excuse. Anyhow, here we go :)
Michele asked:
1) What was the best resource for you in really learning/improving with your macro photography? Probably the best resource that truly got me interested in macro photography is a woman named Anna Diederich. She took me under her wing and answered all the mudane questions I had when first staring out. She is an enormously talented photographer, and I'll always be grateful to her for her help and mentorship.
The other thing that helped me a lot was a macro class I took at Betterphoto.com
2) What tripod do you have, would you recommend it?I use a Bogen tripod that I've had for probably 8 years or so. I have no idea what the model is, and it's probably discontinued now anyhow. But this thing is a workhorse, and I would highly recommend Bogen/Manfrotto tripods and heads.
That said, I hardly use my tripod. The Nikon 105mm macro lens has vibration reduction, which is a lifesaver for me. I enjoy the freedom of shooting without a tripod much more than shooting with one. However, if I was shooting super-duper macros like so many people do, I definitely would use it!
3) What or who inspires you?That's a tough one to get specific on. I look at other people's work and it inspires me, plain and simple. Also, I put on my glasses (getting older stinks) and really look at the details closely, and that inspires me to try and capture what I see.
4) Where do you find all the unique amazing flowers you shoot?In our garden, in our neighborhood, in the parks and botanical gardens, in a planter next to a business, in a vacant lot. The thing with macro is, you can isolate and find little bits of beauty to photograph everywhere you look! Also, I buy flowers frequently, and while I enjoy having them in the house, more often than not when I'm selecting them, I'm thinking about how they might photograph!
I am the slowest typist in the world, so tomorrow I'll answer Heather's questions :)
Also, Pat, you asked me yesterday if we went to the Lavender farms while out in Sequim. Of course we did! However, it was very breezy, so I hardly did any macro shooting :( Maybe next year...
Here's one I managed to get in focus:
Purple Haze farm (isn't that a great name for a Lavender Farm) rents out the 3 bedroom house on their property (the picture I posted yesterday that B took). I would love to get a few photographers together and rent it out for a couple of nights and be able to shoot at sunrise and sunset to one's heart's content! Or, drag my extended family out there for some R&R next summer.....hmmm, I wonder if I could talk my mom, and my sister and her family to get away ;) It really is idyllic!