Saxon Holt

“Why, when stabilization is built into many cameras and lenses, is a tripod so important ?” asked a student at a recent workshop. I always ask my students to bring tripods to our photography workshops and stabilization is not the main reason.  It is true that a good tripod will provide a rock solid, steady[...]

A garden photograph is not simply a landscape photo taken in a garden.  It should communicate something about gardening, something that enlarges the viewer’s understanding and appreciation of gardens. This photo of fresh emerging, nearly chartreuse foliage of Rhododendron hyperythrum is a fine landscape photo, a nice leaf pattern with a sense of vibrant young leaves unfolding,[...]

It’s wildflower season !  Grab you camera (and tripod), some sturdy shoes, sunblock , a bottle of water, and go study what is unfolding in nature.  The miracles become all the more fantastic by examining the wonder in the details. A macro lens is essential for studying nature close up.  It will allow close focusing[...]

I was recently commissioned to photograph a very special magnolia in a very special, private garden.  The resulting photo was to be a surprise gift, but with a limited budget, I only had access to the garden during a single afternoon when the owner was away. It is the job of the professional to make[...]