Overview
Join Mike Reid in the Skagit Valley tulip fields for a two-day, tulip macro workshop focused on painterly bokeh, color, and lens character. This is not a wide-angle “landscape rows” workshop — we’ll be working close, exploring buds, petals, layers of color, and shallow depth of field to create expressive fine-art images.
We schedule our shooting blocks for early mornings and late evenings, when the light is best and the crowds are thinnest. You’ll learn how to work handheld among the flowers, using fast primes and extension tubes to create soft, glowing, dreamlike tulip photos that stand out from the usual postcard views.
What You’ll Learn
- Handheld tulip macro technique — moving with the flowers, not against them
- Creating painterly bokeh and layered color fields in the tulip rows
- Using fast primes and classic lenses (Zeiss, Contax, Minolta, Canon 85L) for character
- Working with extension tubes for close-focus, intimate compositions
- Finding clean backgrounds and separation in busy fields
- How to shoot in breezy conditions and still get dreamy images
- Subtle post-processing for glow, color depth, and mood
Sample Images
FAQ
Is this a landscape workshop?
No — this workshop is all about tulip macro and painterly close-ups, not
wide shots of the entire fields. We’ll be working within the rows, focusing on buds, petals,
and shallow depth of field.
What time of day do we shoot?
We meet for morning sessions around sunrise and
evening sessions near sunset, when the light is soft and the crowds are lightest.
Do I need a macro lens?
A dedicated macro lens is great but not required — fast primes with extension tubes
work beautifully for this style.
What should I wear?
Fields can be muddy in April. Please bring waterproof boots and clothes you don’t
mind kneeling or sitting in. Optional knee pads or a small ground pad can be helpful.
Will there be post-processing?
Yes — we’ll include a short review and editing session to discuss color, contrast, and keeping that
painterly feel.