great contribution, Betty.
I have devised an expensive.... LOL.... method for dealing with the pics in the bright sun. On my iris I have pretty much abandoned the bright sun or even moderate sun for pics. I prefer to shoot on cloudy days but the bloom doesn't always open on a cloudy day. When a bloom is just right on a sunny day I use a diffuser that I have fashioned from an old picture frame (other things would work) with a piece of a Walmart bag stapled across it. It blocks the garish shadows and bright spots very nicely and yet lets plenty of light thru for a good exposure. About a 11x14 size frame is good and get the slimmest one you can find so it is easy to hold with one hand while you shoot with the other. You can use a tripod too if you're not like me, too busy or too lazy. LOL. These diffusers can be purchased from photo supply sites as well, but the homemade one works just fine.
