Janet

Sorry if I gave that impression Den! No, my camera is fabulous on auto, and I have absolutely no complaints. I'd recommend Olympus to anyone. I've been using manual only for the past few weeks because of the course I've been working on. We're only allowed to use manual, which is giving us a good grounding in how to choose aperture/shutter speed/ISO etc. Slowly, I'm learning how to manipulate the available light and get some semi-decent results. I'm simply learning how to control things for myself, such as DOF. The auto settings, whilst producing excellent and near perfect results don't give any sort of control over that. I do keep switching between auto and manual, just to compare what I've taken with what the camera would have chosen, and nine times out of ten the manual settings have provided a more pleasing result. The course finishes this weekend...will I revert to Auto, or will I persevere with manual....watch this space! Janet

I don't usually take people pics, but this lad was such a poser! I've been using nothing but manual controls for the past few weeks thanks to the photography course that Steve's running on Focal Planet, and I think it's finally starting to "click"... It hasn't been at all what I expected...I thought I'd have lots of disasters, but it's completely the opposite...I'm not having to resort to PP to rescue images. It really has been an eye-opener for me! I still have a long way to go, but at last it seems that I'm controlling the camera rather than it controlling me! Janet

A reminder that the AN Photography Competition for February is open for entries until the end of next week. It's been a very poor turnout so far this month, so come on you guys, get your fingers out! There's not long to go. I know the weather has been pretty miserable, but come on, surely some of you have been out and about with your cameras? Nobody's looking for technically perfect images - it's the members on AN who vote and decide the winners and they can be a fickle bunch! Once again there are several regulars who are conspicuous by their absence....what does it take to tempt them back? Janet

Many thanks for those kind comments! You are certainly right in that I should have left more space between the yacht and the jetty, but as you can see from the previous shot, I had a sheer drop down to the mud of the estuary to my left, so there was no way of getting in a better position. I would very much like to have attempted the shot from the opposite bank, but as it is part of the runway towards a military aerodrome, I think access is probably prohibited. Still, it's an area I visit regularly, and there are some great photo opportunities there, if only I can manage to spot them! I'm very pleased with the results I'm getting since ditching the Auto setting and going manual. I seem to take far less photo's, but get far more keepers? It's great being in control of the camera instead of the camera controlling me! Janet

Yes, you're right. I was playing around with a program that lets you make a pseudo-HDR image from a single jpeg...just for fun! The original is actually very sharp, but a bit boring so I thought I'd have a play. However, the results are only good if viewed small. The noise is absolutely horrendous and there's a lot of vignetting in the corners. It's really quite appalling! I'd quite like to try HDR, because it can look great when done well (which this certainly isn't!) but I haven't either the time or inclination to spend hours taking shots at different exposures then sitting glued to a PC screen for ages. Still, I quite liked the results. I think I'll go and investigate this HDR stuff...it can look quite good if done well and not "overcooked". Janet

Another scene from the boatyard. Janet

This is the view to the right... However, I know what you're saying, and it does look a bit cropped on the right hand side now I look at it again. I guess I'll just have to go back on another morning and try again to get a better shot. The boats I was trying to avoid getting in shot were a jetski and a left-over from the log flume ride at Blackpool! Janet

Nothing cropped Rob - that's exactly as it came out of the camera. I couldn't get the whole of the mooring jettys in the shot without also including some very modern looking boats which would have ruined the shot for me. I've been on a mission this weekend - strictly manual controls, no cropping and no PP....I've been pleasantly surprised with the results, and I've certainly learned a lot! Janet

Thanks guys. I was really pleased with that shot, despite freezing for hours waiting for the thing to pose for me! I'm really enjoying my new camera! Janet

I have the votiing results, but I think I need to wait for Steve to close it down. I'm not sure what date voting started this month. If there's a way to do it, I can't figure it out! Janet

Damn....I was pipped at the post! Janet

Me neither...so tacky, isn't it? However, I'll carry on watching it to see who has more momey than sense! Can a simple lure really be worth that? Janet

Budgie! How could you? You know I hadn't done my hair.... Janet

Well, I hope there is! Come on Alan, you going to persuade the Gaffer into a camo centrepin then? Janet

A bit noisy...I had to use ISO 800 today due to horrendously overcast conditions and shooting in the shade. Remind me never to do it again!

EEEeeeewwww! Too much information.... Janet

The bridge over my local river.... Janet

Just a quick reminder... Janet

Hi Judy. Your user name is nursejudy. Did you maybe use your AN password? Janet

Just a reminder that the AN January photo comp is now open for voting.... ....and entries are now being taken for the February competiton. It only takes a minute...just click on the link in my signature below, or here....AN Photography Competition - January If you're not already registered, then simply register with your AN log in and password, and you're ready to go! Voting is simple....just click on a picture to view it, then you'll be presented with three voting options...good, very good or excellent. Simply click on your choice and the job's done! If you don't like it, then don't vote...simples! Entries have been pretty sparse this month, with only 17 entries from 7 members...there are a few notable absences from long standing members which is a shame...I hope they'll return soon. Janet

Sorry, I seem to have a duplicated post, but can't figure out how to delete one! Still, as there's so little activity on here recently, I doubt anyone will notice... Janet

Yes, it's another robin, but this time I got the exposure right! Pah! It's hard work using manual only, but I'm learning! Yes...I know they're vermin, but they're cute, cuddly and willing to pose, provided you don't encroach onto their space. Janet

Yes, it's another robin, but this time I got the exposure right! Pah! It's hard work using manual only, but I'm learning! Janet

I just couldn't get a shot without the leaves in the foreground!