It is a great time of year for colorful backyard photography. Chances are you can do this kind of thing with almost any camera you own. Many zoom lenses for DSLRs now have a macro setting for shooting close-ups. Standard lenses, such as the one used for this Fuchsia picture, can become macro lenses by attaching a close-up filter to the front of the lens. Of course, if budget permits, macro lenses can be purchased for any interchangeable lens camera today.  These open up a whole world of sometimes unnoticed small things close to home. This is what I have always enjoyed about macro photography. It can be done without taking trips to exotic places. There are many exotic small things in our own backyards. Do you have questions, or suggestions? Contact me at dansphotophile@hotmail.com.

The title of this new blog signifies a fondness for photography. It is a combination of the word for light, photo, and the word for love or fondness, phile. Both are from Greek roots. It is like the word bibliophile, a person who is fond of books. So where do we begin? In a new blog about photography it might seem natural to begin with a discussion of equipment. We will get to discussions of equipment but not at first. If you are reading this you have some interest in photography. Perhaps you are an active enthusiast, or maybe just a casual shooter. Maybe you wish you knew more, or have wanted to get started doing more photography. So where do you start? How do you improve? The answer is ever so simple. You improve by doing, as with any other skill set. So the first piece of advice I offer is to get whatever equipment you have and go take pictures. See what interests you, and what grabs your attention.  Years ago I used to take every Monday off and usually go out someplace to take pictures. Due to my interest in nature photography I tried to get an early start. Many a morning I lay in bed after the alarm rang thinking about whether I would get up or not. Perhaps it would be a waste of time, I thought. If I go out, I might not get any good pictures. So the arguments went. But the answer I developed went like this:  If I get up and go out I might get some good pictures. If I stay in bed I certainly will not get any pictures. So get up and find out what you can get.
I want to hear from you. What would you like to see in this blog? What questions do you have about photography? Your responses will enrich this blog.  Send me your thoughts at dansphotophile@hotmail.com.