I use a macro lens with the flash for my close up shots. I normally shoot in the manual mode at around f/9-f/13. When the sun is high which is the worst time of day for taking shooting I go up f/20 sometimes. I also use the telephoto lens for the blurred back grounds. I shoot with both Nikon and Canon. I have the Canon 60D and the older XTi. I pair the Canons with the 100mm macro and the 70-200f/4 lens. When I really want a nice shot with the background totally blurred, I will use the Canon 135mmf2.0, which is a professional portrait lens. With the Nikons I use a 60mm macro and the 70-300 telephoto lens.
I get the best shots early in the morning and late evening. I get up a bit earlier during the daylily bloom season to catch my early morning openers before the sun fade the colors...which usually happens by the time I get home from the office.
