Finding Beauty in the Details: My Macro Photography Adventure at the Desert Botanical Garden
There's something magical about stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring new creative territories. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending a macro photography class at the Desert Botanical Garden with the incredible Amy Horn, a retired photography professor from Northern Arizona University. The experience reminded me why I fell in love with photography in the first place.
The spring bloom at the Desert Botanical Gardens
Feeding My Creative Soul
As photographers, it's easy to fall into patterns and routines. We find our niche, develop our style, and sometimes forget to explore beyond those boundaries. But I've discovered that creating art—especially in areas where I don't normally work—keeps me excited about photography and truly feeds my soul.
Macro photography requires a different way of seeing. It asks you to slow down, to notice the intricate details that often go unappreciated. The desert's treasures reveal themselves differently through a macro lens—every spine, petal, and texture becomes a universe of its own.
There’s nothing like studying a flower up close to still your mind and open your heart to new ways of seeing the world.
Blooming Wonders
The timing couldn't have been more perfect for our class. The cacti were in full bloom, offering a spectacular display of vibrant colors against their rugged textures. We spent hours capturing the delicate balance between the sharp protective spines and the soft, ephemeral flowers—a beautiful metaphor for life in the desert.
There are thousands of orchids blooming at the Desert Botanical Garden’s orchid exhibit.
As an extra treat, we were able to explore the current orchid exhibit at the garden. The exotic shapes and colors of these intricate flowers provided another dimension to our macro practice. Moving from desert natives to cultivated tropical specimens offered a fascinating study in contrasts and similarities.
I could have spent all day with just the orchids!
I’m just beginning to explore the world of macro photography. I am still learning about focus stacking and layering a series of carefully focused images together to create stunning works of art. But that’s where the fun is—learning something completely new in a field I have been passionate about for most of my life.
To learn more about the Desert Botanical Garden’s orchid exhibit, see below.
Community of Creators
This enriching experience was made possible through the Arizona Professional Photographers Association (AzPPA), an organization I'm proud to have served as past president and continue to support as a current member. AzPPA consistently creates opportunities for photographers to grow their skills and connect with fellow artists who share their passion.
This stunning beauty was one of many…
Visit These Inspiring Places
If you're looking to spark your own creativity or simply experience the beauty of the desert, I highly recommend visiting:
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 941-1225
www.dbg.org
Join AzPPA for a meeting, the first one is free to attend:
Arizona Professional Photographers Association
www.arizonappa.com
Contact: https://arizonappa.com/form.php?form_id=13
Amy Horn