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rabster

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Posts posted by rabster

  1. Morning to you Rabs ????? did I comment on the woody? :)

     

    :doh::lol:

     

    My mistake, I meant Ayjay.

     

    So you also get Woody's in your garden <_< , that ain't fair. I'll have a dabble with you pic Den, but my photoshoppery skills are fairly limited.

     

    We've got heavy snow here today, the cat chanced a quick jaunt down the garden, but soon turned around & came back in.

     

    Say hello to Pebbles, our one eared, one eyed 18 year old puds.

     

    pebbles_1203c.jpg

  2. I can see what you mean, I think my eyes must have been tired last night cos it looked alright then. I've used auto-balance features in the past and they've always seemed to make things too dark, but here's the last pic auto-balanced:-

     

    Morning Den.

     

    At the risk of turning this into the Woody Woodpecker show, do you think your image looks a little better by adding a tad of unsharp mask, check out the white spots on the wing for instance.

     

    gscutfiltered6yw.jpg

     

    BTW - You lucky bugger getting Woodpeckers in your garden. The only greater spotteds we get are Starlings - which are definitely spotted in greater numbers than anything else! :(

  3. Lovely sharp pic Rabster, great depth of field too. Can I ask what lenses you use to get so close to them?

     

    Steve...:)

     

    Cheers Steve.

     

    The pretty much permanent fixture on my camera is a Minolta AF 75-300mm, which came as part of the package when I bought my KM 5D. I'd love to get my hands on a Sigma 170-500mm to get just that bit closer, but pricewise they're out of my reach. As a compromise I've just bought a 2x converter off Ebay, although I think I'll need good light to use it as you lose a couple of f-stops.

     

    As for my camera settings - I'm only a few months down the line with my dslr so these details may sound very basic/patronising to many of you, but in case they're of any use to anyone I'll add them anyway, here goes: -

     

    I use Spot auto focus area & spot metering because generally it's just the bird I want in focus & exposed correctly. I also go with aperture priority and use as high an f-stop I can whilst retaining a reasonably fast shutter speed, especially if the subject is on the move.

     

    The Robin shots are fairly easy, as they seem to crave attention & let you get up close to photo them. It's the other stuff I struggle with, but I keep on visiting places where I'm likely to get good birding photo opportunities & snapping away. When I get home I'm happy if I've only got a handful of keepers.

  4. Jan - Touché :cc_surrender::lol:

     

    Ollie

     

    i wish i had an opportunity around my area to catch some!! living close to the sea all i seem to get around my way are seagulls and a pigeon or two!!

     

    Where are you at mate? I'm in Blackpool & it's a birding mecca - & I don't mean the slappers on the Golden Mile.

  5. Judy, love the Sheffield pics, all three would've made good entries in the architecture comp.

     

    Ayjay, the lighting effect on your accidental moon shot is OK - but the one you've entered in the comp is outstanding! :clap3: I really really would like to learn how to take decent moon shots (minus the scope though, I'm spending enough on camera gear without forking out for a scope aswell). Have you got any tips re the best conditions/settings etc?

     

    No pics today for me, but I did get this guy yesterday.

     

    57029287.robin_0903b.jpg

  6. :blink: Just been looking through the posts, noticed the following coments from Rabster and Finelpix:-

     

    Rabster:

    "I've got a couple of ropey pics for the Challenge, I'm hoping to get something worth entering over the next few days. My problem is I'm not very artistic, I can take a picture of a building OK, but I struggle spotting an angle to make it look more interesting or dynamic. I'm hoping the comps on here will help me look at subjects in a more abstract manner."

     

    Finepix:

    "I'm the same at the moment. Wandered down to Frimley Green earlier as there are a couple of quirky old buildings (if you know where to look ), but didn't get anything worth posting. Away again Saturday so if I haven't got anything by Friday, I've missed another one ... I NEED INSPIRATION "

     

     

    Evening CJ, my twopenny worth.

     

    Yep I said I'm not artistic & I'm sticking to it. My missus is the same, you should see us in B&Q when we have to choose paint to decorate, :unsure: , 20 years down the line & we still always end up with the magnolia. :wallbash: Although what we do try & do is pinch ideas from elsewhere, magazines etc - and for me it's the same with photography. If I see a photo I like I'll watch out for circumstance where I can try & recreate it or something similar. For some the vision to see a great shot comes naturally, for others it maybe takes a greater effort.

     

    An example, this shot was taken by an amatuer photographer at a place both he & I visited the same week. I would never have remotely considered taking a shot like this, but wish I had as I think it looks great.

     

    HPIM2518b.jpg

     

     

    BTW - I think Finepixs shots always show a great deal of imagination & excellent composition, so deffo must have been "a bad week" if you were lacking insppiration Finepix.

  7. nice pics gillies.. love those panoramic shots! :clap:

     

    Agreed, especially re the panorama shots.

     

    Blue marlin, OK, you win, I'm starting to get a little jealous. What's the temperature like at this time of the year?

     

    Steve, Nice shot, looks a fab location & no road signs, cars, bins etc in sight to spoil the view.

  8. Which picture do you mean? And when you say to rotate it counter clock wise to get it perpendicular do you mean paralle (sp?) Sorry to be thick but I have only just taken up photography and would be grateful for any tips. :thumbs:

     

    Hi Sooz, it was this one I was referring to. I like the image, which has bags of interest, but it seems to all be leaning back a little.

     

    200603044thmarch00017uu.jpg

     

    I've straightened it up a little on the one below, but then had to crop it again to get rid of the blank bits caused by rotating it.

     

    rotate.jpg

     

    What d'ya reckon? :huh:

  9. hey rabs where's the location of that pic? might just be me thinking of somewhere else but i'm sure i recognise that big shinny ball hmmmm :g:

     

    ta

     

    It's taken in my home town of Blackpool BM.

     

    I have to say I'm a bit surprised to see it's made the final three :huh: , I only entered it 'cos I'd not got anything else to submit & wasn't convinced it's really classed as architecture?

     

    My vote has gone to Mr Randles "Something old Something New".

     

    My personal favourite was Ayjays Hotel Jackdaw (I don't understand the meaning of the title though?) & I think Sooz78's entry cries out Architecture, although I think the image needs rotating a couple of degrees counter clockwise to get it perpendicular.

     

    Good luck all.

  10. Matt, nice shots, Blackbirds are bloody hard to get sharp pics of as they don't stop still for too long.

     

    I agree with Den, you need to try & use a faster shutter speed.

     

    The first one has come out well, especially considering it's only 1/90th sec shutter speed, I'd have probably expected it to have come out blurred due to the movement of the bird. The only problem is the little green wire fence being in the way - you need to get rid of that when your Mum's not looking. :sneaky2:

     

    The second shot looks like it's taken in a more shaded spot & your shutter speed is down to 1/60th sec. A tripod would help, but if the birds moving it's till gonna come out blurred at 1/60th.

     

    As Den says, up the ISO to try & achieve a faster shutter speed - or better still, try & get a pic of the bird in a sunny spot, when you should beable to get the ideal combo of fast shutter speed, lower ISO & smaller aperture.

     

    It took me 6 months to get a decent Blackbird shot, which funnily enough I managed yesterday at the same location as the rat I posted earlier.

     

    Cheers

     

    Cliff

  11. A Load of Balls

     

    balls.jpg

     

    (not sure if this is classed as architecture, but it's all I've got :huh: )

     

    by Cliff Raby

     

    Exif watsit

     

    Date/Time: 2006:02:28 14:40:09

    Resolution: 671 x 700

    Flash used: No

    Focal length: 75.0mm (35mm equivalent: 112mm)

    Exposure time: 0.0005 s (1/2000)

    Aperture: f/7.1

    ISO equiv.: 200

  12. Blue marlin - It looks a rubbish place to live mate, all that blue sky & crystal clear sea, I bet you get bored with it after a couple of weeks. Plus how come there's not a shopping trolley & a burnt out car dumped in that bay? It looks just too perfect to me, so I'll be sticking with Blackpool. :sun:

     

    Ollie, love the B&W shot, I've not really done any experimenting with B&W, after seeing that I'm deffo going to give it a try. Nice one! :clap3:

     

    Peter, re

     

    Oops sorry Gillie, I'm far better at identifying fish than dogs!

     

    How are you with Dogfish? :g:

     

    Poledark - belting Collared dove shot, wish I'd taken that! He's well puffed up, d'ya reckon he's a bit chilly?

     

    As for my photo of the day, it's not a bird shot - Hurrah!

     

    56783766.rat_0403b.jpg

     

    Image Description = KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

    Make = KONICA MINOLTA

    Model = DYNAX 5D

    Exposure Time = 1/800"

    F Number = F7.1

    Exposure Program = Aperture priority

    ISO Speed Ratings = 200

  13. :g: Too many good shots have been added to single any out, so I'll just say - Fantastic shots all.

     

    Also, I'll just add - Gillies - just followed the link in your siggy to your website & had a quick shufties at some of the fine photos in your galleries there.

     

    Came across a couple that you posted on here sometime ago that inspired me to strive to take such shots. Namely a Starling on a cable & a Gull in flight. I can vividly remember seeing those images at the time you posted them on Anglers Net & pointing them out to the missus saying that's the type of shot I want to take. I'm still trying to get there - but in the meantime my missus wants a word with you about all the brass I've spent on camera gear in the process. :huh:

  14. Lets see that it stays this way, plenty of other places to go for fighting and cussing etc etc.

     

    I'm just glad its peacefull in here, its as photography should be..:)

     

    Steve

     

    Lets just hope we don't all get too snappy and start taking cheap shots at each other. :sneaky2:

     

    BTW, where's this this forum where you can fight & cuss? :boxing:

  15. Good skills Steve that photo is amazing! :clap3:

     

    love the sun's rays and also the reflection of clouds.. bravo!

     

    Agreed re. Steves shot BM, plus I also like the dark foreboding clouds in the shot Dog Fish has posted.

     

    Great shots all, keep 'em coming. :clap3:

  16. Fantastic Gillies.

     

    Agreed, a cracking shot, love the way you've framed the building. What is that place? Not your weekend gaff I assume.

     

    Jan, that is one extravagant bird house, but it seems to be missing one vital ingredient, where are all the birds?

     

    Mr Wiggly, the viaduct shot is excellent, you managed to get an excellent vantage point there, thanks for sharing that fine view with us. And who left that lion there?

     

    My photo of the day, yep, you've guessed it, another birding one. :uhuh:

     

    56685115.chaffinch_0103h.jpg

  17. Thanks Rabster. If I had to choose it would be the second one with the snow fighting it's way through ...

     

    Have you got anything in for the Challenge yet (or is it your challenge?).

    I think I've got 'photographers block' :lol: Didn't post anything for the dog one, and am running out of ideas with this one :(

     

    :)

     

    I've got a couple of ropey pics for the Challenge, I'm hoping to get something worth entering over the next few days. My problem is I'm not very artistic, I can take a picture of a building OK, but I struggle spotting an angle to make it look more interesting or dynamic. I'm hoping the comps on here will help me look at subjects in a more abstract manner. :crazy:

     

    Norfolkdan, just my personal preference, but I would turn that pesky date caption thingy off on your images, it's not even that discreet & I think it distracts from the content of your photos. I know Steve likes us to display exif data, but I don't think he meant in image. ;) I agree re. the cloud formation, it looks like someones about to get very wet.

     

    Poledark - I love the 2nd shot, fabulous composition. :clap3:

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