NEW!  Early Spring Desert Wildflowers
April 2-4, 2010
Come and join me for a wonderful time photographing early desert wildflowers.  These brilliant beauties produce some of the most vivid color displays in nature and early spring brings a burst like a flowering rainbow.  Early spring time in the hot deserts of the American Southwest offers an ideal time for creative photography with pleasant weather and abundant sunshine.  After the rains of fall and winter, desert wildflowers emerge early to complete their cycle before the intense heat of late spring and summer.  The variety of wildflower types, colors, forms, and sizes makes for some enjoyable close-up as well as textural and landscape photography.

While most cactus bloom during the day, several species including the Saguaro flower at night.  The night blooming cactus here belong to the Cereus group with their mostly pale and white flowers withering during the day after opening.  These amazing beautiful cactus depend on bats and moths for nocturnal pollination. 

The day-blooming cactus primarily depend on bees for pollination.  These have colorful flowers ranging from bright yellow to brilliant magenta, crimson, pink, orange, or scarlet.  In addition, we will be able to photograph many members of the pea family such as Palo Verde and Mesquite.  There will be many daisy type flowers, poppies, evening primroses, and  Mariposa lilies.

In oases of the Sonoran Desert, the most biologically diverse of the North American deserts, we will enjoy superb desert photography opportunities.  Here spring time comes early and intensely.  The early season bursts with rich variety in true oasis fashion with sparkling wildflowers of myriad colors.  Join me where desert wildflowers offer many memorable photographs in an environment noted for brutal conditions most of the year.  All of this in my 3-day spectacular photography workshop.

I limit workshops to small instructional groups too offer every participant the richest possible experience.

We will consider preparation, subject selection, visualization, composition for expression, special attention to close-up technique and useful equipment.  Available natural light will be emphasized.  We will also study the photographic process from a general naturalist perspective and environmental sensitivity.  Important to the photographic process is a sense of passion and fun.  Participants are encouraged to engage the subject for a personal exploration to reflect their emotional response in each image and enjoy the total experience of field photography.

About the Instructor
As a life-long westerner, Marv Poulson, instructor and naturalist, has photographed extensively throughout the 11 western states during his four decade photographic career. His intimate knowledge of the nature, natural light, western seasons, and locations gives Marv rare photographic instincts. His award-winning images have gained recognition in a variety of local and national publications, with many images held in both private and corporate collections nation-wide. Marv’s affable nature, love for the outdoors and passion for photography translate into easy-going interaction between with every participant and a sincere interest in providing a positive, fun and educational experience for all involved.

Location Information
Join Marv Poulson in Early Spring time (April 2-4, 2010) as the desert wakes to meet early spring with a burst of brilliant and delightful wildflowers.  The heart of the Sonoran Desert will be our emphasis with rich diversity in south central Arizona.  The range of the Giant Saguaro cactus defines the area we know as the Sonoran Desert.  The geography here extends to a bit north of Phoenix, Arizona to much or north central Mexico.  We will concentrate our photographic adventure in the midst of Arizona's Sonoran Desert.

The terrain is rugged with broad valleys punctuated with craggy mountains creating a very diverse landscape with many habitat types where a myriad wildflower types flourish.  We will find cactus of many forms, including the abundant prickly pear cactus and many branching cholla to the massive and tall Saguaro.

Join Marv Poulson in early spring (April 2-4, 2010) to delve into part of this area for a visual treat and memorable vacation-style workshop for great wildflower photography in some of Americas grandest natural desert gardens.

The workshop area in south-central Arizona.