chezzyr

Thanks, didn't know my bogan clod hoppers would make such a nice prop eta: the red/pink areas are obviously reflections from the shoes, the blue is sky

Took these about half hour ago 1) Butterfly grab shot, red brick house background. Shutter speed 1/160, f 3.5, iso 200 2) Reflections in wheel. My sub $10 croc look-a-likes reflected in the Corvette's wheel. Shutter 1/200, f 5, iso 200 3) Holes in the fence. First time I had noticed. Shutter 1/160, f5, iso 200

Are we allowed to use 'old' images? (ie taken outside the challenge period)

Throw a public holiday in (today) and that could delay things even more.

Overcast but bright here yesterday, I went and hung out with some birdos for a couple hours in the early arvo (which is a time I would normally avoid if I could). The conditions were actually ideal for photographing crakes/waders - I wasn't photographing birds in the sky :rolleyes:

I use the screen capture method alot these days - simply find it quicker than resizing the 'big' file. But yes there are always several ways to skin a cat it seems

I just use/used a colourful soccer ball set up on a plastic chair and put the camera on a table. You don't 'need' a tripod if you have a table you can use I was going to post up some soccer ball samples but they must be on another drive and I am heading out today.

Kirislin, How long have you had the camera/lenses? How much general photography are you doing with them? (I take it you photograph other things and not just "tricky" subjects like running dogs and eagles in the distance). I have suggested this before and wondering if you tried it yet. Actually finding a stationary subject eg in your backyard, setting the camera on a sturdy surface (or tripod) and try taking photos of that subject at various focal lengths and various f stops. This, in my opinion, tests the lens out and sees what f stops and focal length it "prefers". Various things could be going on....examples: -camera shake (your hands/breathing) - the lens could be soft at the extreme end eg 300mm (have you tried it at 250mm, 280mm etc instead??) - the lens could be 'soft' at 5.6 - not getting the actual subject in focus (the eagle one you cropped looks ok/better apart from the silhouetting whereas to me the others don't look in focus?)

I was going to say it looks like its doing a pretty good job

Ripley: to throw a spanner in the works I think I prefer the colour of the 'auto' Owl. It seems cleaner/clearer but that is probably an optical illusion. I didn't get out today, lazy one catching up after my trip. Might just hang out here for a while and see what people have been up to.

To answer your question, I would concentrate on the high res (print) version and when I am happy with THAT simply make a 'screen capture' of it and hey presto there is my web version of it. Obviously you will have to trim and possibly sharpen slightly.

I agree with prefering overcast to strong sunlight for some subjects. However if you are like me and like to get out birding/wildlife watching on weekends I hate white/grey skies and tend to avoid it these days. Its 'drab' where I am in Melbourne at the moment but I might head out this arvo to have a play. eta: are you talking about dog photography or what subjects today?

My dog isn't food motivated so she would just come wandering over to me and leave the roast chicken/hot dog/cheese where it is

edited

As long as you are happy you are heading in the right direction! Not an easy subject I think - one is trying to concentrate on settings and light, focus and multiple moving dogs all at the same time.

Basically I don't want to do ANYTHING that will make me lose the passion. (I have been known to sleep with my camera, that must be passion LOL) I think everyone has got to find their own 'place'. For me its not about ingesting truckloads of information but enjoying the experience 'out there', mostly alone, sometimes with others.

I was self taught, I don't like getting bogged down with books and too much information. I read very few mags (I find alot of local mags are more about in depth photoshop techniques - runs away screaming). Some training in design/layout helped me get more out of my photography (post processing, preparing for publication etc) but really I just like getting out and taking pictures and not worrying about the rules or fads. The latest greatest programs are wasted on me simply because they are overkill.

Oh, I didn't know that about Quikshop. My only experience with them is they couldn't give me a straight answer about whether they had something in stock.

I *think* this was 1.8

Once??? That is shocking. If you don't love it you better give it to Kirislin (ok I better go read your excuses)

If you want more stuff in focus you need to aim for a small/er aperture in your settings (which is the bigger numbers). The kit lens could also be letting you down.

Ruthless: was it you that got a 1.8 from KJA or am I confused? If so, how is it going?

Tahna is drowning in a sea of bokeh and I am not getting much stuff done!

Yeah but I think Vickie shoots Nikon?? So I am only trying to give Canon examples Ruthless Don't confuse the poor woman! (fredmiranda can be a very useful site, good link)

I know one local guy who may be able to beat DD etc but his prices jump around like yoyos too. Camera House website are saying $145. Not sure what Croydon camera house charge for same thing.