There are 3 good reasons that I take so many pictures of the Tulip Festival each year:
1. Tulips are incredibly colorful!
2. They are very close by!
3. The mountains are still covered with snow!
So, here is a sampling of my favorite images of the Tulips (and Daffodils!) from this year!
Focus stacking is a technique used to ensure that every part of an image is sharply in focus. What you are doing is to combine several images taken over a number of different focusing distances.
The main steps are:
1. Capture of a multi-focus sequence of images
2. Process the RAW files to ready them for merging
3. Align the image sequence
4. Merging the aligned images into a final product
I read about this technique a few weeks ago and for some reason did not get around to giving it a try until today. I was out this morning checking out the daffodil fields and remembered to get the image sequence captured.
the post-processing was easy and the result stunning as to clarity and focus! This is a technique I will be using on every photo shoot I do from now on!
If you’ve never heard about this technique, look it up and give it a try! I am not going to write up here how to do it, there are already many good instructions and write ups, including videos on line detailing how to do it.
Here is the result of today’s work.
This first shot is one of the multi focus set, un-modified.
Here is the final, merged image.
The clarity and depth are really something!
These are a few images from last evening’s sunset. Overlooking Skagit Valley, things are starting to get green!
March has arrived and it’s not too long now (hopefully!) until it gets a little warmer and the flowers start to arrive.
Rows of Reds, Reflected
This months issue of NW Travel Mag with one of my images on the cover!
I live in Skagit County, named after the Skagit Indians and Skagit River) in the NW corner of Washington State. And among its other striking features such as the North Cascades and Puget Sound we have the Tulip Festival every April. 
Yellows at sunset
I understand that outside of Holland there are more tulips grown here than anywhere. The valley floor has a wide expanse of fertile, flat farmland and near the towns of Mount Vernon and La Conner there are fields and fields of bright tulips. 
Infinite Pinks
Each year the bloom times change, but generally its mid April when they are at their height of color.
This is a web site that has a link for a map showing exactly where the fields are and when they are abloom.
Rows and people
Every Saturday and Sunday the roads are crammed with cars forming long lines. This is not a good time to come! If you do come on the weekend make sure to arrive for either sunrise or sunset. I am often out for the sunrise and the fields are bright a crisp, a few workers and photographers are there, and that’s about it.
Weekdays are the best, plan to arrive about 5 or 6. The tulipy stores are closed and the manicured gardens. But the huge expansive fields are alive with the hue of low light and alive with vibrance!
Yellowy mud!
Make sure to dress for mud, and bring your tripod and polarizer!
Reds and a dramatic sky
If you decide to make the trip for a sunrise or sunset and want a tour guide, make sure to let me know! I am always happy to have company!
These images are from 2012. I recently revisited these images with new found skills using Photoshop Camera RAW.
If you are not capturing your images as RAW, you really should start! Even of you don’t have PS or know how to use it, some day you may…and when that day comes and you see all that you can do you will be most happy that you have your “old” images stored somewhere as RAW files… 
Here are the original files of the images above.
Reflections can add greatly to any photograph. There is something striking about reflections, they add depth, color, scale, texture and sort of pull you into the image.
Mount Shuksan
Cypress Island
One item you’ll need to capture reflections is a polarizer. Try to position yourself at a 45 degree to the light for best results and as you rotate the polarizer you’ll see the reflection pop out. Be prepared to get low, maybe on your belly to get the shot!
Pond along Reiter Road
Boats along Samish Bay
I am always on the hunt for any size body of water.
Balloon reflected in a artificial “pond”
Sunset Through an Open Window
Small puddles work great!
Liberty Bell from Washington Pass Overlook along the North Cascades Highway
The water does not have to be clear!
Tulips Reflected
Mud Puddle Reflection
Even wet surfaces can create wonderful reflections.
Reflections in Sand
Everytime you see any standing water, try for a reflection!
Amphitheater Mountain Reflected, Pasayten Wilderness
Squalicum Bay
Sunset and Muddy Water
There are many barns here in Skagit County, here are a few images from my neck of the woods…
I am blessed, being so close to the Skagit Valley tulip fields (not to mention the North Cascades and a whole host of other marvelous places…)
I am reviewing more than 40 photo shoots from this year, eight of which were visits to the flower fields. Here is a sampling of this years best images. 
These boats are deserted, moored and docked along a small inlet from Samish Bay, part of Puget Sound in Skagit County, Washington. 
Sauk Mountain rises more than 5,000 feet about the lower reaches of Skagit Valley. It’s nearness to the North Cascades Highway makes it a popular day hike. All of the times I’ve been there before its been partly couldy at best but I saw enough to know that it would afford great views at sunset. So, on Thursday I made my way up and captured these images of the sweet light over the Skagit River and valley…
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 