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Chat => Photography => Topic started by: Russell on April 20, 2011, 13:35:33 PM

Title: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 20, 2011, 13:35:33 PM
Walked to my parents over the weekend along the riverside and took a few photos, I haven't processed many of them yet but will add more as I go but so far here's the first one.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5637118261_0c8b411e85_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637118261/)
DSC_8062 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637118261/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

and some more

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5637169767_de31765260_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637169767/)
DSC_8078 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637169767/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5637746506_9fd7edb0cf_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637746506/)
DSC_8104 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637746506/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5637746878_2877194a36_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637746878/)
DSC_8118 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637746878/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5637747172_2d031904c6_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637747172/)
DSC_8138 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637747172/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5637171415_be5d36665c_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637171415/)
DSC_8162 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637171415/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5637171807_495b937de3_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637171807/)
DSC_8169 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5637171807/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Only thing I could do with improving is the ones of the Dandelion flower, which could have more DoF.

I've got a few more to go through but probably won't get them looked at till the weekend.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: bear on April 20, 2011, 15:32:11 PM
A fluffy weekend :D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 20, 2011, 22:09:16 PM
A fluffy weekend :D

Extremely, and I've still got more to go through from then and I was out tonight taking another 80 odd pictures, at least it only takes me about 5-10 minutes a photo to process its just deciding which ones to do that's the problem.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on April 21, 2011, 21:26:51 PM
I'm having to be pretty brutal with my selections now, as the photos from the 7D are chewing up my HDD space quickly. So when I transfer photos to the comp step #1 is for any burst shots, or ones from similar angles, I have to go through and delete all but the best one. There's lots of clicking back and forth to decide which is slightly more in focus etc ><

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Cornholio on May 02, 2011, 01:13:12 AM
wow. brilliant pics! what camera you using?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 02, 2011, 11:33:58 AM
Its a Nikon D50, but its the lens thats more important in these photos, its a sigma 105mm F2.8 macro lens, so lets you get closer to what your trying to take a photo of.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 02, 2011, 11:36:18 AM
Few more I've gone and processed, probably just use this thread to stick anything and everything in rather than keep creating a new thread every time.

Must learn to give it a bit extra aperture to get more DoF when doing macro stuff, I'm new to it really so got an excuse :D

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5679555120_81b60a77a5_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5679555120/)
DSC_8223 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5679555120/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5678960069_d0b02ef82d_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5678960069/)
DSC_7985 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5678960069/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Anyone know what type of fungus this is?

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5679498292_0e48b054c0_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5679498292/)
DSC_8010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5679498292/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5679501744_42ae848c37_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5679501744/)
DSC_8025 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5679501744/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5664047720_e37d00d8bf_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5664047720/)
DSC_8524 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5664047720/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Of course the idea for this ones blatantly been knicked from MrT, so kudos to him for the idea.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 04, 2011, 14:13:26 PM
And some more processed

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5687129230_d8239f1083_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5687129230/)
DSC_7428 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5687129230/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5686540725_dcaabdb63b_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5686540725/)
DSC_7435 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5686540725/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Not 100% happy with those 2 but don't think they're too bad, could have done with getting the sun behind some trees to lessen the area of the sky that's blown a bit

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5687090698_f7cfb7ec7c_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5687090698/)
DSC_7800 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5687090698/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: bear on May 04, 2011, 14:39:04 PM

DSC_7985 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5678960069/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Anyone know what type of fungus this is?


I do not think that is a fungi but a flower of some kind.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 23, 2011, 13:57:57 PM
Went to a Medieval Day at Bede's World (A local sort of Museum/Farm all about St Bede) and they had a falconry display on, managed to grab a few photos from that, quite a good couple of hours out for free.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/5750814700_b4958266bc_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5750814700/)
DSC_9146 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5750814700/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Peregrine Falcon

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/5750806440_04012d9fe8_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5750806440/)
DSC_9170 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5750806440/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/5750804898_e99e7f4615_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5750804898/)
DSC_9159 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5750804898/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 31, 2011, 17:18:44 PM
Couple of new ones from me, got more to process but went down for a wander near Bede's World (for those in the area) and found a few interesting things, starting with some Bee Macros.  Could have done with being a bit brighter at the time, it was rather overcast and I was struggling to get the shutter speed up enough to prevent bluring whilst keeping a fairly decent aperture, anyhow couple came out good so can't complain too much.  Out of curiosity, anyone know the tree that they're on? (long shot I know since I've only got the blossom to go off)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/5781234900_4926870f4b_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5781234900/)
DSC_9573 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5781234900/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5781233382_1458b130d2_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5781233382/)
DSC_9563 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5781233382/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 01, 2011, 13:53:34 PM
And some more from the same trip, not sure which I prefer of the 2 really, probably the first.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/5785845763_e5c625b6ef_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5785845763/)
DSC_9410 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5785845763/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5786398954_c6cc54d189_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5786398954/)
DSC_9398 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5786398954/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on June 01, 2011, 15:00:35 PM
Think I'd prefer #2 if you cropped it to be square with just the left and central setions (IE, get rid of the bit on the right)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 01, 2011, 15:38:00 PM
That's not a bad idea, I'll try and do it later on and see what its like, can't say I've gone for a square crop on a picture before but it might work here.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 02, 2011, 13:59:41 PM
Ok then here's a square crop of the same pic

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5790175742_13807f662d_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5790175742/)
DSC_9398 square crop (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5790175742/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on June 03, 2011, 07:37:06 AM
 :thumbup:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 03, 2011, 13:22:49 PM
Aye its much better with that crop, thanks for the suggestion might have to try it on a few other pictures.

Right time to process a few more from the same trip, got to love lunchtimes at work got a portable caddy with all my pictures on perfect time to do my post processing.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 03, 2011, 13:44:46 PM
And here's the next one:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/5792945153_d77a7be273_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792945153/)
DSC_9380 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792945153/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 03, 2011, 14:07:30 PM
And here's some tree bark, just because!

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/5792996473_a66d66cfff_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792996473/)
dsc_9385 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792996473/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on June 03, 2011, 16:16:55 PM
And here's the next one:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/5792945153_d77a7be273_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792945153/)
DSC_9380 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792945153/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

I like this one. I think the top 2/3 are bang on, is there any way of increasing the contrast or something on the lower 1/3 where the trolley is? That area just seems a little washed out to me, otherwise its totally ace :D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 03, 2011, 21:32:35 PM
Thanks!  Quite pleased with it too since I was balancing on a rock that kept on moving, nearly fell in the mud a couple of times lol

I'll have another go at editing it over the weekend and see what I can come up with, I can see what you mean the tones around the shopping trolleys are fairly similar to the mud, hmm will see what I can do.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on June 03, 2011, 23:36:30 PM
Every time I look at the shot with the shopping trolleys I keep expecting to see zombies looming around the water, I have no idea why! I think it's good.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: soopahfly on June 04, 2011, 08:16:17 AM
And here's some tree bark, just because!

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/5792996473_a66d66cfff_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792996473/)
dsc_9385 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792996473/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

I think that tree's mooning us.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 06, 2011, 13:59:06 PM
I've updated that photo with one that has a bit more contrast in it, I couldn't find an easy way of adding more contrast without doing the entire picture so in the end I just did the entire thing.

Original first, 2nd edit last:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/5792945153_2688de1266.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792945153/)
DSC_9380 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5792945153/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/5804362006_a50c6955d6.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5804362006/)
DSC_9380 More contrast (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5804362006/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on June 06, 2011, 17:12:20 PM
Yeah thats much better.

I gues syou could have done layer masks or something to progressively mask in/out the contrasted areas on separate layers?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 09, 2011, 14:05:19 PM
Just finished editing some ones from a trip down to a local nature reserve in April, haven't been back down recently so might try and go this weekend see if the swans are still about and if they've actually had any cygnets

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/5814568781_641afb243f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5814568781/)
dsc_8287 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5814568781/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/5814568383_377b8b3486_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5814568383/)
dsc_8281 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5814568383/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/5815135890_30cdf8778f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5815135890/)
dsc_8271 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5815135890/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 11, 2011, 13:29:23 PM
I was off work last week and went round a few places and took some photos which I've just got round to going through and here's the first, taken at Washington Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, which wasn't a bad day out, I was there for about 4 hours but the entrance fee of £8.45 wasn't great.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/5926193384_8670745f30_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5926193384/)
dsc_0380 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5926193384/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 11, 2011, 14:10:20 PM
And some more, all from the Wetlands centre

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5926257856_e423ec6473_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5926257856/)
dsc_0493 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5926257856/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6121/5925698119_87649e4b1f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5925698119/)
dsc_0418 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5925698119/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/5926255606_a7c1ef5790_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5926255606/)
dsc_0390 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5926255606/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on July 11, 2011, 18:09:04 PM
Really nice pics mate, all of them to be honest! Although the duck giving a bit of attitude makes me laugh!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on July 11, 2011, 18:49:46 PM
Really like the flamingo :D

*Puts on the Crimson Wing Soundtrack*
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on July 11, 2011, 19:56:38 PM
Really nice pics mate, all of them to be honest! Although the duck giving a bit of attitude makes me laugh!

(http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7098/ducklife.jpg)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 11, 2011, 20:07:01 PM
Really nice pics mate, all of them to be honest! Although the duck giving a bit of attitude makes me laugh!

(http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7098/ducklife.jpg)


hahahaha that's class!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on July 11, 2011, 21:21:19 PM
Really nice pics mate, all of them to be honest! Although the duck giving a bit of attitude makes me laugh!

(http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7098/ducklife.jpg)


hahahaha that's class!

Nice work, HAHA!  :rofl:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 12, 2011, 14:06:31 PM
And another from the same trip, no attitude this time through!

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/5929630127_667577608c_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5929630127/)
DSC_0521 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5929630127/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 14, 2011, 15:27:51 PM
And some more from last week, this time from a local woodland, Thornley Woods

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/5936526743_ab71f5f97a_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5936526743/)
Spotty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5936526743/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Nearly managed to get a one of these hanging onto a single grass stalk but buggered up the focusing on it, think I was too close to it, I'm still not great at macro shots of bugs and the like but I'm improving somewhat!

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5937083652_5f6b2626b6_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5937083652/)
Common Red Soldier Beetle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5937083652/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5936524783_f04c7c0100_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5936524783/)
Common Red Soldier Beetle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5936524783/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on July 14, 2011, 16:35:51 PM
Spotty is likely a 6-spot Burnet. Nice shot :)

I really want to get a ring-flash to enable more DOF to get the whole thing in focus rather than always getting a few legs or antennae out of focus :(
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on July 14, 2011, 18:26:10 PM
Spotty is likely a 6-spot Burnet. Nice shot :)

I really want to get a ring-flash to enable more DOF to get the whole thing in focus rather than always getting a few legs or antennae out of focus :(

Do you have a flash for your camera already, if so, then there is a flash ring adapter you can get hold of, I think the one I saw was ~£30 from the states, me and a couple of mates were going to go in for an order, to drop the cost...

Great pics BTW, I really need to get a macro lens :) I think I might have to have a look later as none of mine do decent macro.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on July 15, 2011, 08:57:24 AM
I have a flash yeah. You've got me wondering if I can adapt the fibre optic ring-light I have for a microscope. It's really swanky :D

There's a 3rd partyflash manufacturer thats meant to make good ring flashes for the money, begins with an M...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 15, 2011, 10:21:17 AM
I was on a site the other day that had DIY ring flashes for $25, will have a dig around and see if I can find it.

Macro lenses are great, managed to get mine for £160 from CEX about 18 months ago, wouldn't mind the new Sigma 105mm with stabalization and an faster focus motor but I'll survive for now.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 15, 2011, 13:34:38 PM
This was it:

http://www.diy-lighting-kits.com/ring-flash/

and a review of it:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/diy-photography-ring-flash-review

Might not last long but for $25 it might be worth trying to see if you want to spend more money buying a proper one.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 15, 2011, 13:38:40 PM
Just bought myself a new camera bag too, a Tamrac Aero Speedpack 85, I'm going away on holiday first week or so in September to Jersey and could do with something to carry my camera and other gear in whilst on the plane.  Haven't played around with it yet though, will post some pics up if people are interested later on.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on July 15, 2011, 18:20:17 PM
This was it:

http://www.diy-lighting-kits.com/ring-flash/

and a review of it:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/diy-photography-ring-flash-review

Might not last long but for $25 it might be worth trying to see if you want to spend more money buying a proper one.

By the looks of it, you'd be lucky if it lasted 5 minutes, and really you'd need the bracket at another $10, and also a cord for the flash from your camera..

You'd be better off getting this at £20.72 ($33.40) and this one you still keep the flash mounted to the camera, not attached via some dodgy bracket

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/o-flash-ring-flash-adapter-for-canon-580ex-580ex-ii-with-5d-40d-30d-20d-10d-33293 (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/o-flash-ring-flash-adapter-for-canon-580ex-580ex-ii-with-5d-40d-30d-20d-10d-33293)

Bargain I think.. the one I saw before that Paul S on here showed mt was a bit better as it was adjustable for different height flashes... I'll see if I can find it..

And yeah would like to see the bag, I'm a big lowepro fan, but good to see what the competition have to offer!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on July 15, 2011, 18:39:02 PM
Having a search for the adjustable version, I've just come across these LED versions too, which are a little less bulky...

Obviously find one that it compatible with your camera / lens and has good reviews... The first seems to bet the better one..


Macro Ring LED Light for Canon 1Ds,5D,7D,40D,50D,60D,500D,550D,1000D,Nikon D700,D300,D90,D60,D3,D2,D1,D7000,D5000,D3100,D3000,Olympus E620,E520,E510,E500,E420,E450,E3,E1,E-P2,Pentax,K20D,K200D/Sony Alpha A200,A230,A300,A330,A350,A380.A450,A500,A550,A700,A850,A900/SIGMA LENS with 6 FREE RINGS 49MM,55MM,58,62,67MM(UK Plug)

£31.49

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Macro-Light-Olympus-Pentax-A380-A450/dp/B003LAGNSO/ref=pd_cp_ce_1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Macro-Light-Olympus-Pentax-A380-A450/dp/B003LAGNSO/ref=pd_cp_ce_1)


Neewer LED Macro Ring Flash FC100 For Canon Camera DSLR Canon EOS 1D/ 1Ds Series 7D/5D MarkII/60D/50D/40D/30D/20D/10D 550D/500D/450D/400D/350D/300D

£23.48

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-LED-FC100-Camera-MarkII/dp/B0050GSZCY (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-LED-FC100-Camera-MarkII/dp/B0050GSZCY)


MeiKe LED Macro Ring Flash for Nikon

£39.98

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MeiKe-Macro-Ring-Flash-Nikon/dp/B004QUZ37U/ref=pd_cp_ce_2 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/MeiKe-Macro-Ring-Flash-Nikon/dp/B004QUZ37U/ref=pd_cp_ce_2)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 15, 2011, 20:53:46 PM
Interesting, hadn't seen ring flashes that cheap before, knew you could get cheaper ones but thought they were still around the £100 mark.  Hmmm tempting, but it'll have to wait for a bit I'm hoping that I should be able to buy myself a D7000 at the end of the month and along wtih a holiday in Sept to Jersey I'll probably be a bit skint for a while!  We'll see what the new year brings lol.

And no problem about the bag, I'll try and get some photos of it over the weekend once I've had a play with it, so far initial impressions are good.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on July 15, 2011, 21:07:57 PM
Interesting, hadn't seen ring flashes that cheap before, knew you could get cheaper ones but thought they were still around the £100 mark.  Hmmm tempting, but it'll have to wait for a bit I'm hoping that I should be able to buy myself a D7000 at the end of the month and along wtih a holiday in Sept to Jersey I'll probably be a bit skint for a while!  We'll see what the new year brings lol.

And no problem about the bag, I'll try and get some photos of it over the weekend once I've had a play with it, so far initial impressions are good.

Just so you are aware though, the last 3 I posted are lights rather than flashes, some are constant on as well I believe, although the first uses the attached flash..
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 28, 2011, 13:15:51 PM
Just getting round to processing another one, taken just after a heavy rain shower late on night.  I've got some other ones of water droplets on some plants but can't quite find one I'm completly happy with yet.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/5984482770_42d7fb75b1_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5984482770/)
dsc_0700 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5984482770/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 28, 2011, 13:51:37 PM
And another one from the same night, heavily cropped though as there were some other distracting buds in the background.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5984556074_d4ed386239_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5984556074/)
Water Droplet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/5984556074/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 02, 2011, 20:23:06 PM
I've been growing a sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) for a while now and its finally flowered last night so thought I'd grab some macro shots of the flower.  Wasn't quite light enough and my shutter speed was below 1/100th so I tried using my flash on a tripod to the right of the flower and that made life a tad easier!  Did help quite nicely with the background as well as the flower was right in front of a window.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/6002402959_8628efbeb7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6002402959/)
Sensitive Plant (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6002402959/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on August 02, 2011, 20:29:24 PM
I like all the last 3 macro shots, the backgrounds are nice too, although I think the last one would have been a bit better if it was black across the whole background, the bit on the left detracts from the photo a little.

I'm on the hunt for some bargains macro lenses ATM  :ptu:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 02, 2011, 20:39:27 PM
That's annoying, I thought I'd got rid of all of that bit at the left hand side, I'll have another go at editing it later on shouldn't be too difficult.

They're great fun, have you checked CEX, I got mine from there and they do seem to have quite a bit of canon stuff at the mo.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on August 02, 2011, 20:51:55 PM
It's no biggie mate, it's still a great pic as it is..

No I haven't tried CEX, might pop down at the weekend and see if they have anything, cheers!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 02, 2011, 22:05:29 PM
Have a look on their website, its quite good for live stock in all their stores and lets you order from any non-franchise stores.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 04, 2011, 22:02:17 PM
Just a quick one of some Coral Carpet Sedum, isn't google handy at times...

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/6009853506_cc55108fdb_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6009853506/)
DSC_1179 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6009853506/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on August 04, 2011, 22:12:32 PM
I like that, good composition and colours. Nice n abstract :D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 13, 2011, 20:01:33 PM
I'd been out most of the day with my camera at a local farmers market and hadn't taken anything but then on the way home we called into a farm shop (Brockbushes just outside Hexham for those locals) and they have a pond.  A few years ago I was there and there was loads of dragonflys, this year there didn't appear to be any until I saw this one hiding on the wall of the pond.  Bit awkward to get at as the lip of the pond kept on getting in the way and it was a bit dark but I just cranked up the ISO on my D7000 which is rather good for this sort of thing, anyway here's 3 pics I was happy with.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6039210724_49d9174bb7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6039210724/)
Dragonfly (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6039210724/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/6039216148_24cb3eaa7a_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6039216148/)
Dragonfly (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6039216148/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6038673079_f7a81bba2f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6038673079/)
Dragonfly (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6038673079/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on August 15, 2011, 00:06:06 AM
Great pics, i've just ordered my Macro lens today ;) Really look forward to using it!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 15, 2011, 08:34:34 AM
Cool what did you end up going for?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on August 15, 2011, 23:24:04 PM
The 100mm Canon non-IS ;)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 16, 2011, 16:50:46 PM
Nice, you'll have to hurry up and get some stuff up on here.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on August 16, 2011, 17:16:02 PM
Indeed, before long all the lovely little critters will be disappearing for the Winter.

Though that being said, I've found the 100mm macro to be so versatile it still has loads of other uses other than insect macro photography :D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on August 16, 2011, 21:01:22 PM
Nice, you'll have to hurry up and get some stuff up on here.

It turns up tomorrow, I expect it will be the weekend before I take a picture (not of my hands/eyeball/kitchen tap dripping - that'll be tomorrow  :ptu:)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 30, 2011, 14:12:42 PM
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6096595540_fd0ec4f6a5_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6096595540/)
Jumping Spider (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6096595540/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Found this little fella running around a plant pot at home, been keeping an eye out for a jumping spider for a while quite glad that its in my yard just as long as I can find it again.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on August 30, 2011, 14:28:26 PM
That, sir, is most excellent  :thumbup:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 30, 2011, 17:18:36 PM
Why thank you, been after one of these little critters for ages so quite happy that I've managed to get one at last and since its just at the end of my yard I'll be able to keep an eye out for him a bit more.

The D7000 does help quite a bit with macros, so easy just to set a min shutter speed and let the auto iso get you there, that was taken at iso 1250 and there's no sign of noise.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on August 30, 2011, 18:01:09 PM
Perfect composition, great work
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 19, 2011, 15:32:05 PM
Ok longish post from me, with more to come as well.

Just got back (well last week anyway) from a weeks holiday in Jersey, so some general holiday type photos but also a load from Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust aka Jersey Zoo.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6162212123_f1407bb154_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162212123/)
Gorey &amp; Mont Orgueil Castle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162212123/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6162746652_1bb9e28870_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162746652/)
No Diving (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162746652/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

And now the ones from the Zoo

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6162212739_064b60ecca_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162212739/)
dsc_1643 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162212739/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/6162213331_57a0d22cda_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162213331/)
Naughty Monkeys.... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162213331/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6162748226_909f7cc0b5_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162748226/)
dsc_1791 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162748226/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/6162214789_a8a5a7b906_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162214789/)
dsc_1799 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162214789/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6162749548_ccb807c998_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162749548/)
dsc_1876 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162749548/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6162750336_be895e8bd0_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162750336/)
dsc_1878 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162750336/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6162217393_99457daf0c_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162217393/)
dsc_1924 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162217393/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6162750906_acc51ed666_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162750906/)
dsc_1907 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162750906/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6162752240_ebf8c39507_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162752240/)
dsc_1951 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162752240/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6162218545_1ee12a78dc_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162218545/)
Blind Tasting (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162218545/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6162753354_0331f95930_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162753354/)
dsc_2042 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162753354/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6162753962_df3f9ef61f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162753962/)
Smile for the Camera (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162753962/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6162754470_a0606bf628_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162754470/)
dsc_2110 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162754470/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6162755080_72a6721157_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162755080/)
dsc_2167 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162755080/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6162221363_85e581530f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162221363/)
dsc_2172 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162221363/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6162221893_2316fc90ef_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162221893/)
dsc_2184 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162221893/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6162224931_e31398fcc8_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162224931/)
dsc_2207 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162224931/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6162761348_d4df3364ff_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162761348/)
dsc_2251 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6162761348/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

They've been uploaded to flickr about 90 mins and not in any groups till about 5 minutes ago and I've already had 45 views!

That's it for now I've got more to edit at some point though.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 20, 2011, 14:00:28 PM
And here's another one, this time a 30 second long exposure out over Bouley Bay, where we were staying.  Love how little street lights there were around there, I think there was only the ones on the pier and that was it must have saw more stars there then I've seen before.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6165658353_ebe53da730_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6165658353/)
dsc_2410 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6165658353/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 03, 2011, 13:53:02 PM
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6207556778_0d94196e1e_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6207556778/)
Elizabeth Castle Canon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6207556778/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Managed to get round to editing some more of the photos from my holiday to Jersey so here's another.  Went for a walk around Elizabeth Castle and there was a demonstration on musket firing and canon firing, managed to grab this, wouldn't say its a brilliant capture photographically but its still a bit of fun.

Got a couple of panorama's I might be able to get up before long, at least a 14 and a 15 picture one, aren't I gald for Microsoft ICE!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 04, 2011, 13:50:07 PM
And here's one of the panorama's, not completely happy with the edit especially with the top left, the clouds are slightly blown out so may redo it in the future.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6034/6210512817_f9bf545545_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6210512817/)
St Aubins Bay with Elizabeth Castle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6210512817/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 05, 2011, 08:13:13 AM
On a side note I hate mornings like these, coming to work the colours from the sunrise were lovely and the skies sort of opposite the sunrise were dark grey, they'd be great for a bit atmospheric photography but I didn't have my camera with me and couldn't stop anyway as I was on my way to work which sucks :(
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 05, 2011, 09:22:17 AM
Indeed.

Regarding the panorama, this is kind of weird. People reckon that everyone in your dreams are people you've met before, or seen, even if you don't remember them. I'm wondering if the same can apply to places.

When I was a kid I dreamed of being on the beach rockpooling and generally have a good time somewhere like the above. I was pretty sad when I woke up as I thought it was awesome but didn't exist. I'm guessing I might have embellished it a bit, but I remember a large flat expanse of sand with rocks scattered around, and up one end a larger cluster of rocks with a castle, but I was having fun around the rocks.

I'm now thinking that when we visited Jersey YEARS before, we must have been here, as this pretty much matches it bang on. Timeline wise I'm talking Aged 3 we visit Jersey, Age 10 I dream about it, age 26 I see a picture of it!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 05, 2011, 13:37:13 PM
Its funny how things like this crop up every now and then, you were obviously a bit too young to remember lots of specific details but that must have stood out enough for you to remember it now, glad I put it up, wasn't going to as I thought it could have been better.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 05, 2011, 14:06:49 PM
And here's the next pano, again not great, really overcooked the sun on the right hand side too early in the day tbh another hour or so and the sun would be below the level or the hills.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6214265856_974a8b9229_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6214265856/)
Bouley Bay Panorama (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6214265856/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 05, 2011, 16:04:59 PM
Could you do a pseduo-HDR jobby use the same RAW shot for the image on the right that's overblown, keep one the same as everything is ok apart from the sky, the other image adjust the contrast and brightness/exposure etc to bring it back to something similar to the other images. Then use a layer mask to merge the 2 exposures together, save the image and re-stitch the pano? Might be worth a shot?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 06, 2011, 08:24:39 AM
That could be an idea, sort of did it with one of my older photos although that was created from 2 seperate images rather than just the one.  I want to try getting through a lot more of the photos I took when I was away first, don't think there's many I'll need to edit left, but once I've got through them I'll go back and give it a whirl.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 10, 2011, 15:28:59 PM
And some more...

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6230157157_f00713f061_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6230157157/)
J499 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6230157157/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6230674514_1d44c8608f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6230674514/)
Wooden Man (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6230674514/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6230672650_4c4007bd53_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6230672650/)
Stars (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6230672650/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Not much photographically on the last one but I like it just because of the amount of stars you can see.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 10, 2011, 16:51:50 PM
The wooden man is amazing, quite a cool sculpture.

Is the star shot a single exposure? I remember reading somewhere about astrophotography and using an HDR-like technique and specialist freeware software to get better shots of the sky at night. I think the software compensates for the rotation/movement of the earth on long/multiple exposures, whilst combining the light from multiple shots to highlight the stars. I wat to give it a go when I'm on Brownsea island or somewhere without too much light interference.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 10, 2011, 17:29:09 PM
The sculpture was huge, its probably 2 stories high and a bit different!

Yeah its just a single exposure of 30 seconds, I can't remember how long it is but am sure that 30 seconds is close to the limit before you start to see star trails.  I can remember hearing about some piece of software like that, couldn't tell you what its called though!  Would be handy to find out what it is for future.

And light pollution sucks, I hardly see anything near me which is why I was quite suprised at how much I could see when I was in Jersey.  I need to go up to somewhere like Kielder, which isn't too far from me, and camp out overnight and get some decent photos, maybe next year.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 11, 2011, 09:13:37 AM
Yeah, I think one of the reasons for using the software is that rather than doing 1 long, potentially streaky shot, you take several shorter exposures to minimise/avoid the trails, then it aligns and combines the images for you. I think I read about it on DPS if that helps :D I think the example was 3x 8s shots.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 11, 2011, 13:06:32 PM
Quick google and found this one which is more aimed at combining  lots of exposures to create star trails photos which actually might be fun to try.

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/4-steps-to-creating-star-trails-photos-using-stacking-software

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 18, 2011, 13:52:37 PM
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6180/6257398478_dcbd5197c9_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6257398478/)
Baltic Stairs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6257398478/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Something a little different from me, took it back in August but have only just got round to editing it.  Can't say I've done much architecture stuff before but saw this done so thought I'd give it a go and I did a black and white conversion first which is the first in a while.

Must get out and get some more photos though, have hardly picked up my camera since I got back from Jersey at the begining of Sept!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on October 18, 2011, 14:25:13 PM
Who doesn't love a good stairwell photo? :) That's excellent, well done matey :ptu:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 18, 2011, 15:13:02 PM
Thanks, and aye can't beat a good stairwell photo, might bring my camera to work and take some stairwell photos here, might get a few funny looks though!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 30, 2011, 23:09:02 PM
And another one from me, woke up early this morning with the clocks going back so went down to the coast to try and grab some sunrise photos, got his one.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6220/6294553652_f74c2c8278_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6294553652/)
South Shields Sunrise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6294553652/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 31, 2011, 14:20:07 PM
And another macro I did last night with a small cactus I bought over the weekend.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6298863364_7d15d4e21a_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6298863364/)
Cactus Macro (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6298863364/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 08, 2011, 13:51:22 PM
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6325950560_fdcbfbd188_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6325950560/)
DSC_3298 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6325950560/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Taken the same morning as my sunrise 2 posts back, it looks a bit soft out of the camera but I've put a but more sharpenning on it than normal and its come out looking alright.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on November 08, 2011, 18:45:12 PM
Nice clean shot mate
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 15, 2011, 19:09:31 PM
Had a play with some water droplet photography over the last few days, got 1600 ish photos to go through, most of which I'll probably delete as they've got nothing in them but it'll take me a few days to go through.  Here's the first:

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/6346953293_7bf986ff4c_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6346953293/)
Splash (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6346953293/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on November 15, 2011, 21:42:43 PM
Wow, the focus is spot on. Are you using strobes/external flashes I presume?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 15, 2011, 21:46:49 PM
Aye the focus is just right, which is a relief as I was using my 18-200 which I've had some focusing issues with on the D7000.  There's one flash on the left hand side I think (kept on moving it around so not 100% sure), its only a cheapo Jessops 360afd which I got for £25 on ebay, but it seems to do the job.  Some of the more expensive flashes can go to 1/32 or 1/64 power which is better where as this one can only do 1/16 power.  Also used a wireless flash trigger which I got last week, makes this sort of thing soo much easier!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on November 16, 2011, 06:45:38 AM
Flashes are something totally alien to me, none of that makes sense :D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 16, 2011, 08:45:46 AM
That's why I just got a cheapo one so I can play around but if I manage to learn enough then I haven't wasted too much money.

I've had it a for a while now and I don't understand half of it either, I think I'm starting to get there with it slowly though.  I've tried reading strobist but never manage to get too far with it but I've picked up stuff as I've gone along, some of its fairly straight forward some not so, maybe one day...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on November 16, 2011, 21:48:57 PM
Really nice shot, I've wanted to do something like this, and also play with the 60fps mode on the 7D, and view it in slowmo. What was the water in and how did you create the water drop? I assume you also used a fast multi shot, rather than trying to get it in a well timed single shot?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 17, 2011, 09:47:32 AM
The easiest way to explain it is to watch Gavin Hoey's video on it:


I just used a plant tray for that one and I've got some that I've yet to go through using a glass baking dish.  You can use anything really I've seen plenty photos of people using wine glasses or mugs, did try a wine glass myself but couldn't get it to work quite as well.  For the drop that one was taken with a plastic bag with a hole in it but I've also been trying a water bottle with a football pump needle in the cap, it works but I'm having a couple of issues with it mostly that there's no air going into the bottle so it just stops dripping after a few seconds.

I've just been shooting a burst you'd struggle to get the drip in shot if you just tried to do a single shot my D7000 can do about 9 shots before the buffer fills up.  Does mean you end up with rather a lot of photos however, from trying it over 3 nights I've got 1500 photos probably half of which having nothing in them so I'll be getting rid of those ones just to free up hard drive space.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 21, 2011, 22:17:19 PM
And here's another one from the same set, still got lots more to go through, did manage to get a few collisions as well, will get them on here when I get round to editing them.

(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6235/6378804483_13c2750d3a_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6378804483/)
Impact! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6378804483/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on November 21, 2011, 22:21:38 PM
Very jealous!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 22, 2011, 14:00:57 PM
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6050/6383019135_e803219363_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6383019135/)
Tree Splash (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6383019135/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

One of the collisions I managed to get, need to try it again but with a better background, but at least I know now how to get them.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 23, 2011, 10:47:20 AM
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6238/6385604725_de81f0dd23_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6385604725/)
Inverted Collison (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6385604725/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 05, 2012, 13:49:36 PM
Ok so I've hardly been doing anything photorgraphy related recently, just started to do a few things this last week or so with the ISS flying over quite a bit, managed to get this one night last week.  The bright dot above the ISS light trail is jupiter and I only noticed when I started to edit it the other day but there's also a meteor in the shot as well.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6596510381_354fec7943_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6596510381/)
ISS, Jupiter &amp; Shooting Star (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6596510381/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Tried to go and get it again but it was too feint and to low in the sky from where I was trying to photograph it from, I also made a bit of a noob error by focusing at infinity and then wondered why some cranes were out of focus, needless to say I'll not be posting that one any time soon lol.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 16, 2012, 13:36:51 PM
Wsa tidying up yesterday and found a couple of those bendable USB laptop lights and since it was a while since I'd done anything with my Danbo thought I'd put 2 and 2 together and hopefully get 1, which I did, don't think its brilliant but its a start for this year.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6701982373_74359b3db5_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6701982373/)
Danbo in the spotlight (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6701982373/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on January 16, 2012, 17:30:47 PM
I like it a lot, reminds be of sack boy, and has a feeling of loneliness to it
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 16, 2012, 19:28:19 PM
I've seen sack boy before but didn't know what it was called, now I do might have to get one, Thanks!

I need to do more photos with danbo, cool little thing, so many expresions from something that doesn't have that many moving parts tis awesome.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 19, 2012, 22:42:52 PM
I've gone and created a blog mainly for any photography related stuff I manage to come up with and hopefully to encourage me to get out a bit more to have stuff to post on it, will be interesting to see how long it lasts lol!

http://russography.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 22, 2012, 22:24:45 PM
I've been following a guy on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/VirtualAstro who posts interesting astronomy stuff and he said there was a chance the Northern Lights were viewable from this far South so thought I'd go along to the coast to see if I could see them and I could.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6744792939_eb76a27abd_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6744792939/)
Northern Lights at South Sheilds Groyne (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6744792939/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6744786317_4760da6a93_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6744786317/)
Northern Lights at South Sheilds (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6744786317/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Tweeted them at the guy and he retweeted them and they've got over 500 views in the last 20 minutes each, now my most viewed photos on flickr unsuprisingly!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 22, 2012, 23:11:05 PM
(http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/6595/flickrviews.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/flickrviews.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

:D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on January 22, 2012, 23:18:22 PM
Pretty damned cool, both the images and the traffic. I've always been a bit sceptical over twitter, but things like this make me realise how useful a tool it can be :D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 22, 2012, 23:22:27 PM
Likewise, I've only started to use it recently and its got a lot of rubbish on there but they're are some really really good people on there, this VirtualAstro guy is brilliant if you like your space/astronomy stuff.

1800 views now, wonder if I can hit 2000 by midnight...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 23, 2012, 00:01:37 AM
Yup managed 2006 views :D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 27, 2012, 23:13:35 PM
Ended up going to Druridge Bay on Wednesday with a friend, its just a little way up the Northumberland Coast and not too difficult to get to which was rather handy as I'd never been there before.  Originally we went out to get a few photos of the northern lights but there wasn't anything to be seen which was a shame, so instead we just did some normal star scape photos which really I'd never done much of before just the odd attempt whilst doing other things so it was a first for me.  Didn't help that there was a fair bit cloud about but there was enough of gaps in it to get some photos and it was blowing a gale constantly for the hour we where there.

Reasonably happy with the results, few things I've picked up on that I need to think about next time, mainly to try lowering the iso as the shots are a little noisey, I'll have to up the exposure time which will be a bit more awkward but I should be able to go to 60 seconds before seeing star trails and I need to make sure I do a test shot and look for a level horizon, dunno how I missed that one as I usually do.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6771511605_9ac9939347_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6771511605/)
Druridge Bay Milky Way (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6771511605/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6771500867_d488971dc4_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6771500867/)
Druridge Bay Milky Way (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6771500867/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6771500347_72eaab2bfb_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6771500347/)
Druridge Bay Starscapes (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6771500347/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on January 27, 2012, 23:44:51 PM
They've come out really well mate, really good visibility of the stars and the surroundings!

I've tried some night time shots before but the result wasn't fantastic though, might have to give it another go ;)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 29, 2012, 10:13:50 AM
I'd done some star photos before in the past but they never came out too well either, wanted to give it another go and after getting some photos of the northern lights and well these have turned out alright so I'll definetly be doing it again at some point.  Key seems to be getting away from the light pollution fairly easy for me, these were taken about a 20 minute drive away.

Saw this guys video ages ago and just watched it again last week, has some good advice in it.

http://vimeo.com/16833554
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 01, 2012, 15:09:48 PM
And this week's photography related fun and games.... wire wool spinning

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6801292423_e10872f2c8_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6801292423/)
Spinning Slide (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6801292423/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

More to come, just done a quick and dirty edit on this one over lunchtime at work.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: addictweb on February 01, 2012, 19:00:21 PM
And this week's photography related fun and games.... wire wool spinning

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6801292423_e10872f2c8_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6801292423/)
Spinning Slide (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6801292423/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

More to come, just done a quick and dirty edit on this one over lunchtime at work.

How?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on February 01, 2012, 19:30:38 PM
One of my Flickr contacts have done similar on his 365, he's quite young and really talented..

I think your wire wool shots better though, I really like it!

The description says how he did it.. He's also got some really cool light paintings, in his light painting set...

(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6011/5971861436_8d72e4354f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/teaglesc/5971861436/)
Day 205 - Much better! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/teaglesc/5971861436/) by Chris Teagles (http://www.flickr.com/people/teaglesc/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 01, 2012, 19:42:42 PM
Its basically some wire wool in a metal whisk attached to a dog lead, you light the wool and spin in round and take a long expsoure picture of it.

So its suprisingly easy, I saw it on a guy called PhotoExtremists youtube channel a while ago and finally got some wire wool and gave it a try but you do really need 2 people, one to do the spinning the other to fire off the cameras.

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on February 01, 2012, 19:53:01 PM
I'll give his stuff a look and you should get a remote shutter release, then you won't need 2 people :-)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 01, 2012, 20:08:33 PM
I've got one, but its not the easiest to set the camera away, light the wool and then get spinning still possible though.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 01, 2012, 21:41:55 PM
And here's another couple:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6803305857_b5bf0e74a5_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6803305857/)
Spark Shower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6803305857/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6803276357_7789fdecea_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6803276357/)
Dragon Boat (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6803276357/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6803253717_af122259b4_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6803253717/)
Sparkfall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6803253717/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on February 01, 2012, 21:56:54 PM
Nice work mate, one of the things I like with wire wool, is the deflections of the sparks off of other objects
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 01, 2012, 22:00:22 PM
Yeah I really like that in the last one, need to find some more ruins/abandoned buildings/tunnels to try it in should be able to get lots of deflections then.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 29, 2012, 14:09:46 PM
So I've hardly been doing much this month, too much poxy weather (I hate cloud...) and generally not had as much time to get out and do some photography and the one time I really did, to get a sunrise when I woke up at 6.30 last Sunday, I made a bit of a hash of it.  But I took this one a couple of weeks ago whilst playing around at home and didn't give it too much more thought, was sitting sorting this months photos out at work and noticed it looked alright quick edit later and...

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6941061637_221f42a46a.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6941061637/)
Out for a Stroll (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6941061637/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 06, 2012, 21:39:19 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6813789224_c77221e838.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6813789224/)
Rainbow! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6813789224/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

The Olympic Rainbow was in the North East Over the weekend, went to see it Saturday night and it was quite impressive, the 7 high powered lasers could be seen around 7-8 miles away and some people have even said they could see it on the other side of Sunderland which must be over 20 miles away.

I've got some more to edit so there'll be more when I get them done.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 07, 2012, 13:59:21 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6961661731_f1c2b20cfa.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6961661731/)
Olympic Rainbow Futurama Logo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6961661731/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

The Olympic Rainbow does a good impression of the Futurama logo too!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 08, 2012, 13:48:48 PM
And another

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6818095836_db7d8b2161.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6818095836/)
Olympic Rainbow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6818095836/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Bacon on March 29, 2012, 12:29:14 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6813789224_c77221e838.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6813789224/)
Rainbow! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6813789224/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

The Olympic Rainbow was in the North East Over the weekend, went to see it Saturday night and it was quite impressive, the 7 high powered lasers could be seen around 7-8 miles away and some people have even said they could see it on the other side of Sunderland which must be over 20 miles away.

I've got some more to edit so there'll be more when I get them done.

Me and Knighty saw this over by the dog track, neither of us knew what it was.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 29, 2012, 13:07:46 PM
Well now you do, its quite impressive to think it managed to reach as far down as that I think I even heard someone say they saw it the far side of Sunderland as well!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 01, 2012, 23:03:44 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7035747729_9a8cb229da_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7035747729/)
Quayside Panorama (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7035747729/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

9 shot panorama of the Newcastle quayside.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 03, 2012, 19:58:41 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/7042691235_c143d6a14e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7042691235/)
Angel of the North (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7042691235/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/7057104489_a6efdb6621_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7057104489/)
Angel of the North (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7057104489/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 17, 2012, 13:17:26 PM
Put another photo of the Angel of the North in the above post and here's a one from last week, I was off work and took a trip up the coast to seahouses.  Bit miffed that I've used quite a shallow DoF so the rope coming out of the knot is out of focus, something to try and remember for next time.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7114/7087008593_10e1c05024_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7087008593/)
All in a Knot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7087008593/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 18, 2012, 13:18:53 PM
One from Sycamore Gap on Hadrians Wall, more known for being in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6944101784_ae66059c51_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6944101784/)
Sycamore Gap Black and White (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6944101784/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 20, 2012, 13:46:25 PM
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/7096005851_7cb94268f6_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7096005851/)
Kestrel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7096005851/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Coming back from Sycamore Gap and there was a Kestrel sitting in a tree just next to the road so I had to stop and take its picture, it even waited around long enough for me to turn the car around and drive back.  Managed about 5 shots before it flew off but don't think that's too bad, its a little soft but then my 400mm lens is especially at f5.6, still £90 off ebay well spent!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on April 20, 2012, 14:00:41 PM
Soft? It looks like cut and paste at this size, very sharp I think 8)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 20, 2012, 14:20:58 PM
Its not too bad, but it has been run through photoshop so there's a little Unsharp mask been done on it, I can't remember how much though.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: addictweb on April 21, 2012, 22:58:31 PM
[snip]

Great shot, she looks surprised, love it. Its also viciously sharp, I had real problems today with sharpness of wildlife, nothing as gloriously sharp as that.

I grabbed one of this athletic little guy today, made me giggle.

(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/524185_924619300587_223603736_12977577_2111356508_n.jpg)

A classic example of massive annoyance of my 18-70 stock nikon, not long enough, not fast enough, not sharp enough ... ended up missing a great moment of a squirrel trying to horde away a half coconut.

(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/582629_924619320547_223603736_12977578_286007100_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 22, 2012, 21:17:47 PM
haha that squirrel shots quite funny, nowt like showing off a little bit and doing things the hard way.

Yeah I'd imagine the 18-70 isn't great for wildlife, you not got something like a 70-300?  If not they're fairly cheap and can produce some decent results and I bet that squirrel thought all its Christmas' had come at once.

Edit: Oh and I've done a colour edit of my sycamore gap photo, dunno which I prefer.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6956752842_ca2dd72b27_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6956752842/)
Sycamore Gap Colour (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6956752842/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 23, 2012, 14:02:05 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/6959842872_697ea07044_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6959842872/)
Rusty Rudder (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/6959842872/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Rusty Rudder from the back of a boat sitting on the dockside at Seahouses.  I'd like to get rid of the blue paint on the edges if I can but that might be a tad tricky so I'll give it a go when I get some more time.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on April 23, 2012, 14:49:30 PM
I like the blue. Adds contrast.

Must say, all these photos are mighty impressive.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 23, 2012, 15:52:03 PM
I wasn't sure with the blue as some people might see it as being a little out of place but I see what you mean, just adds something different.  I had to crop it a little to even the picture up as there was more blue on the right hand side might have been better if I'd got an even about of blue on either side.

And thanks, been quite pleased with the ones I've took recently, bit different to what I normally take and they seem to be working so I'm doing something right!  Still got a few to edit but need to get out and take some more sometime soon.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 22, 2012, 13:54:34 PM
Up until Sunday I'd not taken anything for nearly a month but I finally got out to a local Medieval fair which I also went to last year, it was fairly similar to last years event and because of the amount of people around it was fairly limiting as to what I could take so I opted for the flaconry display again, this time a couple of shots of an Eagle Owl.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8152/7241176364_3db453c4fa_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7241176364/)
Eagle Owls Watching... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7241176364/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/7241179060_1eb3b23e4b_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7241179060/)
Eagle Owls Watching... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7241179060/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 14, 2012, 13:13:43 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/7183251025_1b9bd10053_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7183251025/)
Fourth Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7183251025/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

I was going to stick a note on about a recent trip to Edinburgh but since you can tell they're the bridges over the Fourth I don't think I'll bother lol.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 19, 2012, 15:31:58 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7386357296_f81df24abe_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7386357296/)
Brown House Moth Macro (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7386357296/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

A Brown House Moth Macro and nearly at 10,000 views...

(http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6641/9999views.jpg)
By russieboy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/russieboy) at 2012-06-19

Edit: wrong flickr views picture, whoops!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 19, 2012, 16:46:46 PM
And that didn't take long, just saw on older screenshot of my views and on the 22nd Jan when I posted my aurora pics I only had 5348 views so that's nearly 5000 views in 6 months woop woop

(http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4959/10000views.jpg)
By russieboy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/russieboy) at 2012-06-19

Not that I'm a view/attention whore or anything...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 19, 2012, 23:34:19 PM
I was out tonight looking to get some landscape shots and look what I found...

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7404255250_c9b18dee68_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7404255250/)
Spot the Owl (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7404255250/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Not the best shot ever but its the first time I've seen one in the wild, it was getting rather dark so I struggled to keep the shutter speed up and it didn't help that I'd left my camera in bracketing mode as I'd just been using in a few minutes before hand to get some shots for an HDR.  Still now I know where it is I'll head back and see if its around a bit more, anyone want to give me £10,000 for a D4 and a 400mm F2.8?  Please??
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 27, 2012, 13:52:13 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7454173474_232e61e9d5_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7454173474/)
Field Sunset HDR (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7454173474/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

7 shot HDR from the same field I saw the Owl in last week, think it could do with a better focal point though.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 03, 2012, 23:10:25 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7495789398_4c1ab59111_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7495789398/)
Stream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7495789398/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 15, 2012, 18:59:13 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7576134520_6bf1d33bc7_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7576134520/)
Thistles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7576134520/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 14, 2012, 13:55:12 PM
Been a while since I've put any of my recent photos up so here we go:

Sunlit Trees from near where I saw the Owls (which I haven't been able to get to recently)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7621285756_13e45a11c2_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7621285756/)
Sunlit Trees (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7621285756/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Macro flower from Wallington Hall:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7629183114_d10bc444ce_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7629183114/)
Simply Red (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7629183114/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Sunset at Souter Lighthouse:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7676132764_b2f4d9d7d8_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7676132764/)
Souter Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7676132764/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

And a couple from a Photography evening at Durham Cathedral:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7767867328_4efa5b2814_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7767867328/)
St Cuthberts Shrine (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7767867328/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7776811922_dbf480a162_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7776811922/)
Durham Cathedral Cloisters (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7776811922/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 11, 2012, 13:26:49 PM
Couple of recent ones for anyone who's still paying attention

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7874413670_378845d90d_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7874413670/)
Baltic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7874413670/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/7924434404_8c9b6e2646_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7924434404/)
Souter Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7924434404/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7963537334_ca377dfd6c_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7963537334/)
Marsden Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7963537334/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/7971905856_73a7c04674_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7971905856/)
Marsden on the Rocks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/7971905856/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Leon on September 11, 2012, 13:41:57 PM
Some great shots :)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 11, 2012, 14:05:11 PM
Thanks, hopefully I'll get some more this next week as well, am off on holiday to Loch Ness just hope the weather forecast improves a bit and I might get some landscapes in and hopefully something nice of the stars.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: addictweb on September 11, 2012, 15:31:26 PM
Yep, very nice, and I'm certainly still interested. Like to see what you've been snapping.

Love the softened water, did you have to use a filter to get long enough exposures or was it darker than it looks at the time?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on September 11, 2012, 16:24:15 PM
Your photos are really quite good. I imagine you'd have some success selling most of them on stock sites if you aren't already?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 11, 2012, 16:49:57 PM
Yep, very nice, and I'm certainly still interested. Like to see what you've been snapping.

Love the softened water, did you have to use a filter to get long enough exposures or was it darker than it looks at the time?

Yeah there's 2 Lee filters on, just got them a few weeks ago so haven't used them loads yet.  There's a 0.6 ND Grad Hard for the sky and then a 0.6 ND over everything just to slow it down a bit, it was starting to get a bit gloomy at the time since it was down by some cliffs and the sunset was behind me but it wasn't that bad.  Still had to whack it up to f22 and got it to a 6 second exposure.


Your photos are really quite good. I imagine you'd have some success selling most of them on stock sites if you aren't already?

I haven't tried yet actually, I've been thinking about looking into putting them into Getty through flickr but I've not looked into it much yet at all.  Does anyone on here use any stock sites I should have a look at?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on September 11, 2012, 19:59:25 PM

Your photos are really quite good. I imagine you'd have some success selling most of them on stock sites if you aren't already?

I haven't tried yet actually, I've been thinking about looking into putting them into Getty through flickr but I've not looked into it much yet at all.  Does anyone on here use any stock sites I should have a look at?

I've been on shutterstock and istockphoto for a few years but haven't been active as I got a bit disheartened due to relatively high rejection rates. However a few weeks ago I logged in to shutterstock out of interest to see how the 20 images I'd put up had faired, and saw one I took on an away day had been bought by someone with extended rights for about $30. This prompted me to try again so I picked a dozen photos and uploaded, expecting maybe 10 to be rejected. Instead nearly all were accepted, with the ones that didn't make it, only rejected on the grounds of them having loads of that type already.

Since then I've been going through my flickr stream picking out photos and have been on a lengthy process of uploading and tagging photos on 4 websites. Acceptance rate is about 80% overall. I'm not sure how much is down to improvement in skills, how much is down to the exif data saying I have a better/more expensive camera, and how much is down to different standards (I've been surprised at some accepted(and rejected) photos).

I get the impression that it's something you need a portfolio of a few hundred images at least to expect any kind of return, which is quite a lot of time and effort, but I guess once they're up it costs nothing, and if it means a cheque for $100 every year, why not? I'll start a new thread about this I guess.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 11, 2012, 22:29:52 PM

Your photos are really quite good. I imagine you'd have some success selling most of them on stock sites if you aren't already?

I haven't tried yet actually, I've been thinking about looking into putting them into Getty through flickr but I've not looked into it much yet at all.  Does anyone on here use any stock sites I should have a look at?

I've been on shutterstock and istockphoto for a few years but haven't been active as I got a bit disheartened due to relatively high rejection rates. However a few weeks ago I logged in to shutterstock out of interest to see how the 20 images I'd put up had faired, and saw one I took on an away day had been bought by someone with extended rights for about $30. This prompted me to try again so I picked a dozen photos and uploaded, expecting maybe 10 to be rejected. Instead nearly all were accepted, with the ones that didn't make it, only rejected on the grounds of them having loads of that type already.

Since then I've been going through my flickr stream picking out photos and have been on a lengthy process of uploading and tagging photos on 4 websites. Acceptance rate is about 80% overall. I'm not sure how much is down to improvement in skills, how much is down to the exif data saying I have a better/more expensive camera, and how much is down to different standards (I've been surprised at some accepted(and rejected) photos).

I get the impression that it's something you need a portfolio of a few hundred images at least to expect any kind of return, which is quite a lot of time and effort, but I guess once they're up it costs nothing, and if it means a cheque for $100 every year, why not? I'll start a new thread about this I guess.

My thoughts exactly, once they're up on the net then if I can earn a few quid off them grand, I'll never manage to make a living off it but what the heck :thumbup:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 23, 2012, 15:29:29 PM
First few of mine from Scotland

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/8009539884_db9a1358c5_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8009539884/)
The Rock In Front of the Rock Behind (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8009539884/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8180/8012629499_3dbf31a07a_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8012629499/)
Plodda Falls Pt 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8012629499/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/8014931278_c68cbc98a9_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8014931278/)
Plodda Falls Pt 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8014931278/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Got a 3rd (and what I think is the best of the 3) to go up from Plodda Falls which I'll probably bung up tomorrow.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 24, 2012, 12:35:36 PM
Last one of the 3 from Plodda falls, probably my favourite out of the 3 as well.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/8019246393_23c6c01c26_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8019246393/)
Plodda Falls Pt 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8019246393/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on September 24, 2012, 12:55:42 PM
I do like pt3.

Pt2 is a good example of what I hate/struggle with landscape stuff so much. You find a beautiful location and angle, conditions are perfect, and then there's some kind of man made object/construction ruining an otherwise truly natural shot  :(
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 24, 2012, 13:27:33 PM
Yeah that seems to happen a lot, sometimes its fine and makes part of the shot other times it really gets in the way.  That one doesn't look easy to photoshop out either, I've got another photo I was editing of Eilean donan castle and was managing to get rid of most of the tourists fairly easily but that I'm not even going to bother trying.

Quite scary standing at the top of it cause it bounces quite a bit and its rather a long way down!

Edit: Just remembered there's actually some man made stuff in the last shot, hard to tell but there's an old rusty railing on the far side of the river, looks like an old walk way thats collapsed but you hardly notice it.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on September 24, 2012, 13:48:56 PM
Love these latest photos. This is what the waterfall immediately made me think of:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img337/1213/waterfallav.jpg)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 24, 2012, 14:08:17 PM
Love these latest photos. This is what the waterfall immediately made me think of:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img337/1213/waterfallav.jpg)

hahaha awesome!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 27, 2012, 13:55:01 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/8029092774_939c9de9ba_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8029092774/)
Eilean Donan Castle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8029092774/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Hopefully a less Predator inspiring photo this time, course it does fit in with another 80s film...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on September 27, 2012, 14:01:24 PM
Highlander? I would have otherwise said MP's Holy Grail but that was '75  :)

Postcard worthy photo, btw!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 27, 2012, 14:13:53 PM
And Clock'd gets a prize!  Highlander was the one I was thinking of, don't think it was in the Holy Grail but its quite a while since I've watched it.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on September 27, 2012, 15:50:56 PM
Holy Grail was all filmed around Doune Castle in Stirling it seems, except for the shots of the Castle at the end of the film that is Castle Stalker (coincidentally though, it seems Stalker was used in filming of Highlander: Endgame) :)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 29, 2012, 17:22:11 PM
Something I've been working on whilst listening to the Newcastle match, been meaning to do this for a while.  Its by no means complete with everywhere I've been or want to go but its a start.

http://goo.gl/maps/265Ya
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on September 29, 2012, 20:29:00 PM
That's cool. How are you picking locations, a website, mobile app, books?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 29, 2012, 22:41:17 PM
Anything and everything really, few are local ones so I've known them for years others are just through looking through stuff on the net or magazines.  I follow a fair few local photographers on flickr sometimes when they post interesting stuff I'll make a note of the location usually in an email to myself (only thing is I don't want to go out straight away and copy there idea), thought it was about time I organised it a bit better and when I found out about google maps my places feature thought I'd get tagging.

Should help loads with planning days out or just to remember where I want to go which I find quite difficult at times.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 01, 2012, 07:21:54 AM
I wonder if there is a Flickr tool that can export your geotagged photo locations to .kml, would make it very easy to import it to google earth/maps?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 01, 2012, 08:48:49 AM
Quick look on the net and I can't see anything, but I'll have a better look later on it'd certainly make it easier to put in all the photos I've taken.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 01, 2012, 08:49:40 AM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8039809228_d34e36f658_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8039809228/)
Seven Legged Spider Eating Lunch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8039809228/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Spider in my back yard yesterday munching on a fly.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on October 01, 2012, 23:01:40 PM
Nice, that's the same type of spider I have a close up of from my bedroom.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 02, 2012, 13:47:25 PM
I've had a few in my yard but this was the first I could actually get at with my camera, they're normally in amongst stuff and the backgrounds are bad, would love to find the zebra/jumping spiders again they're cool but really small.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 17, 2012, 13:51:18 PM
Don't seem to have done much recently, been busy with work and Borderlands 2, whoops!  Did manage to edit a picture from my holiday last month.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8096284280_9545da1430_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8096284280/)
The Weekend Getaway (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8096284280/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on December 22, 2012, 21:19:16 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8241681151_85e7dc1f04_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8241681151/)
The Rangefinder (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8241681151/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

From a couple of weeks ago, and this one from ages ago, I just missed it first time round.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8275771028_fb6a1a21f7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8275771028/)
Seven Legged Spider (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8275771028/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

I don't normally consider myself a lucky person at all, in fact usually fairly unlucky, but on Thursday we had a draw for £10 worth of high street vouchers at work, I won a set, yay me!  But on Friday I got an email from WarehouseExpress about a survey I took a while back, seems I've won a Lee 10 stop ND filter, filter holder and adapter ring!  Definitely yay me!  Guess who's got a lottery ticket on for tonight...

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on December 26, 2012, 00:13:50 AM
I like the rangefinder pic. I'm currently staying with the GF's parents for xmas in Yorkshire, literally next to a reservoir. Have got some good atmospheric HDR shots, only just remembered I have a Grad ND filter I've yet to use, would be interesting to compare the results from both.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on December 28, 2012, 12:25:04 PM
I like the rangefinder pic. I'm currently staying with the GF's parents for xmas in Yorkshire, literally next to a reservoir. Have got some good atmospheric HDR shots, only just remembered I have a Grad ND filter I've yet to use, would be interesting to compare the results from both.

Yeah if you do HDR right you can achieve a similar result to using Grads I could never get it quite right with HDR, shame cause its heck of a lot cheaper to do it with HDR than buying Lee Grads doh.  Where abouts in Yorkshire you been staying?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on December 30, 2012, 14:59:59 PM
Up just west of Harrowgate near Fewston reservoir. With the bad weather all the scenic shots I took, I did bracketed, and hdr'd a lot of them as they'd have been a bit dull otherwise. will upload them when I get home in a few days, as the Internet here is almost back to dialup speeds! there's a few photos that I think are acceptable, others I think are overprocessed a little, or just done badly.

tempted to go back at night if it's not raining to try and get the moon across the water, doubt it'll come out even half-acceptable though!

Sent from my phone.

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 02, 2013, 11:51:54 AM
Up just west of Harrowgate near Fewston reservoir. With the bad weather all the scenic shots I took, I did bracketed, and hdr'd a lot of them as they'd have been a bit dull otherwise. will upload them when I get home in a few days, as the Internet here is almost back to dialup speeds! there's a few photos that I think are acceptable, others I think are overprocessed a little, or just done badly.

tempted to go back at night if it's not raining to try and get the moon across the water, doubt it'll come out even half-acceptable though!

Sent from my phone.


Looks a nice spot, I went Skipton a few years ago on holiday and it was a nice area.  If those shots are a bit dulll you can always try to convert them to black and white even after the HDR conversion, might get some nice moody shots with it.

Don't envy you those internet speeds, 7-8 years ago you'd be alright but with everything being hi-res/flash/fancy graphics based these days you'll not get much browsing done easily.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 02, 2013, 22:53:33 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8338519921_a494d13937_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8338519921/)
Souter Lighthouse Startrails (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8338519921/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Not done any star trails before really, thought I'd give it a go last night out at Souter Lighthouse, don't think I've done too bad.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on January 02, 2013, 23:20:34 PM
Nice work, was it long exposure or did you stack some shots?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 03, 2013, 08:42:03 AM
Its a stack of I think 43 30 second exposures, that seems to be the better way of doing it or you could get lots of hot pixels and noise.  The only thing that's awkward with lots of exposures is if you have to edit them all, which I did with this but thankfully lightroom lets you sync your edits across lots of photos so it wasn't too bad.

Got a few ideas for more places locally I can do the same sort of thing but the clouds have returned boo.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on January 03, 2013, 10:30:53 AM
Maybe it looks different at full resolution but I like how in that smaller photo it looks almost like 8-bit graphics :)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 03, 2013, 13:05:57 PM
Maybe it looks different at full resolution but I like how in that smaller photo it looks almost like 8-bit graphics :)

Haha yeah it does a bit, its fine full size though bar a couple of stars once the weather clears up a bit again I'll see how many more 8-bit startrails I can get.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on January 03, 2013, 15:47:27 PM
Nice work!

Driving back on new years day at night the sky was really clear, quite surprising as I was going through areas with lots of light pollution at the time. Made me think about doing some astro stuff but I couldn't be arsed due to having been driving for 6 hours at that point!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 03, 2013, 22:47:59 PM
Nice work!

Driving back on new years day at night the sky was really clear, quite surprising as I was going through areas with lots of light pollution at the time. Made me think about doing some astro stuff but I couldn't be arsed due to having been driving for 6 hours at that point!

Yeah trying to think straight after that much driving is never going to work right.  I can imagine doing a star trail shot where its totally bitch black getting lots of stars but it might also end up being too many, I was surprised how many I managed to get where I was.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 05, 2013, 22:41:33 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8349930211_2e61d746e3_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8349930211/)
Cleadon Water Tower Startrails (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8349930211/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: addictweb on January 06, 2013, 20:53:07 PM
That is an awesome shot. Love it.

How does stacking shots work? Looks like you've avoided blowing out the foreground and still got loads of detail in the sky, I thought you'd need longer exposures to get that kind of detail in the sky. Over what period are your 30s shots, continuous? 
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 07, 2013, 13:19:58 PM
That is an awesome shot. Love it.

How does stacking shots work? Looks like you've avoided blowing out the foreground and still got loads of detail in the sky, I thought you'd need longer exposures to get that kind of detail in the sky. Over what period are your 30s shots, continuous? 

I've cheated a bit really I've used a seperate exposure for the tower, the skies made up of 50-odd 30s exposures taken one after another with a locked off cable release, as long as you can see some stars then you don't need anything longer and anything longer would have blown out part of the sky or tower with the street lights.  I've then imported them all into lightroom and edited one of them, synced the edit across all the photos & exported to jpgs and ran through the startrails.de software and saved that as a tif.  Then took the first photo and used photoshop to edit it to get some nice detail in the tower and put the two together and used a layermask to just include the tower, none of the trees in the foreground, quick bit of USM and then all done.

Its actually ended up being quite a lot like how it looked when I was taking the photos, I'd never have been able to get the tower right and get the startrails in one shot.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: addictweb on January 07, 2013, 14:36:28 PM
So that's only about 25 mins worth of shots? That's pretty tempting. Really like the final result.

Annoyingly my D70 (not D70S) cant have a cable release, only IR which is much more effort.

I assume the star which everything is pivoting around is the north star, was that intentional?

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 07, 2013, 15:44:17 PM
So that's only about 25 mins worth of shots? That's pretty tempting. Really like the final result.

Annoyingly my D70 (not D70S) cant have a cable release, only IR which is much more effort.

I assume the star which everything is pivoting around is the north star, was that intentional?

Yeah 25 mins roughly, just as long as it took me to get bored of standing around and checking my phone lol.  Fairly sure it is Polaris, it wasn't intentional tbh I got to the site and setup so that I had a good composition on the tower & trees rather than trying to get any particular stars in but it worked out quite nicely.

Not quite as easy to do with a IR Release, a friends got the same problem his D3000 doesn't do cable releases.  I was thinking about trying to use my RaspberryPi to trigger an IR release then it would be easy enough to program a one of them to sit there pressing the button every 30 seconds or so.  All I'd need then is an external power supply but they seem to be easily got off ebay.  Other than that the only other way I've heard of doing was using an elastic band to hold a pencil rubber/eraser onto the shutter release, should work just the same the first shot may need to be scrapped as there'll be quite a bit of vibration when you set the elastic band.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on January 07, 2013, 16:30:15 PM
Are there any smartphone/iphone apps out there that you can use to control the camera?

I've seen a couple for android that basically make use of usb host to enable live view through your phone or tablet. Not quite as swish as the new Canon slrs that do it wirelessly, but still kinda cool. I can see the merit of having a tablet positioned next to a camera, with the screen facing the model/you, so you can compose everything "on stage".

Could you also use that flickr group that automatically identifies the stars for you? Put one of the photos from the stack in the group and hope it says Polaris is there?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 07, 2013, 16:43:00 PM
Are there any smartphone/iphone apps out there that you can use to control the camera?

I've seen a couple for android that basically make use of usb host to enable live view through your phone or tablet. Not quite as swish as the new Canon slrs that do it wirelessly, but still kinda cool. I can see the merit of having a tablet positioned next to a camera, with the screen facing the model/you, so you can compose everything "on stage".

Could you also use that flickr group that automatically identifies the stars for you? Put one of the photos from the stack in the group and hope it says Polaris is there?

I've seen a couple of different ones, none I've looked into too much mind.  I seem to remember there was one that used the headphone jack a specialist cable they made and the software to fire the trigger but that needed a cable release port.  Don't think I've seen any that use IR to fire them off but I don't think many phones have IR these days, bit of a shame or it'd be idea.

I'd love the idea of having a tablet connected up so you could see the results straight away especially with something like this were you can't see any of the shots until you stop taking photos which might mean you've just wasted half an hour or so.  Hmm got me thinking about the wlan adaptors for nikon, it won't work the same as the D4 where you can get live view through it like the Canon's but it would at least dump the picture over wifi onto something like a laptop or tablet, the official ones are expensive but I wonder if someone's managed to DIY a one together.

I've thought about putting up one of the photos from the lighthouse startrails as its quite a good photo by itself, might do it for both just so I can see what was there, thats a handy group when it works.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 08, 2013, 20:02:24 PM
Look what I've managed to win

(http://imageshack.us/a/img593/8973/dsc1457x.jpg)

A Lee Big stopper, Filter Holder and Lens Ring, I started my Lee Filter collection last year so I don't need the foundation kit which I'll ebay later on this week but I did need the lens ring and of course the big stopper itself.  Only got them last night so haven't had a chance to give them a go yet but hopefully will this weekend.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 14, 2013, 13:39:50 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8379003337_2f383aa35e_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8379003337/)
10 Rocks with the 10 Stop (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8379003337/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

First one with my big stopper
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on January 14, 2013, 14:08:27 PM
That is a fantastic photo  :bow:

What is it the big stopper actually does?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on January 14, 2013, 14:22:14 PM
That is amazing. I must admit that I am tempted to look back at the photography forums and put together a time line of members photos, I seem to remember photos a few years back being a little rough around the edges, at least when compared to stuff like this.

Photos like that could easily be sold as cards, postcards or stock images.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 14, 2013, 15:31:00 PM
That is a fantastic photo  :bow:

What is it the big stopper actually does?

Thanks!

Its basically a very dark filter that cuts down the amount of light that comes into the lens, means you can do long exposures to blur water/clouds and even make people & cars in a street disappear.

That is amazing. I must admit that I am tempted to look back at the photography forums and put together a time line of members photos, I seem to remember photos a few years back being a little rough around the edges, at least when compared to stuff like this.

Photos like that could easily be sold as cards, postcards or stock images.

Some of my stuff from early on isn't great really, I can see how I've developed over the years especially with things like landscapes just seems to have taken me ages, think I needed to just get out more which I'm doing these days.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 19, 2013, 18:38:43 PM
Had some fun with some wire wool last week with a friend, got an idea for somewhere else to go next week that could give some good results.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8392892726_0fbdb54ffa_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8392892726/)
Pit Baths in a bit of Spin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8392892726/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 24, 2013, 09:13:52 AM
Few weeks ago I managed to find a screen shot of my flickr views from 22nd Jan last year just after I took the photos of the Aurora and started to get loads of views, at the time I had 5348 views and I think I'd had my flickr account since 2007.  I set myself a little goal to get 10,000 views in a year, I missed checking my flickr views on the 22nd, but as of the 23rd I had 15990 views, so I've had 10642 views in a calendar year which I'm quite chuffed about since I'd only been averaging 1000 views a year before that.

Don't think I'll quite manage another 10000 views in the next year as my aurora photos make up about 3000 views of that 10k but I'll try ;)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on January 24, 2013, 12:40:45 PM
Well deserved IMO :ptu:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on January 24, 2013, 13:49:06 PM
That's really good going.

Doing a bit of bucket stats I came up with the fact that I have 100 700 views, but then I also have 3833 photos. That equates to about 26.27 views per photo.

You on the otherhand have about 72.03 views per photo  :bow:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 24, 2013, 20:09:25 PM
That's really good going.

Doing a bit of bucket stats I came up with the fact that I have 100 700 views, but then I also have 3833 photos. That equates to about 26.27 views per photo.

You on the otherhand have about 72.03 views per photo  :bow:

Thanks both, its a good start will be interesting to see what this year brings.

Well done yourself for getting that many views, even at 10k a year it'll take me a while to get close to that many!

Never looked at it like that before, going off that I'm quite pleased especially with a lot of my earlier photos not being named/tagged and grouped very much so I might be able to get that average a bit higher too.

Got a good few ideas on the go at the mo, more wire wool stuff hopefully in the next few weeks and I'm put together a water droplet kit using a 12v solenoid and a raspberry pi, that's had a minor set back though, the solenoid doesn't work, bugger!  Guess I'll just have to buy another one off ebay then.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 29, 2013, 13:55:53 PM
Been starting to collect myself a few things to play with, a fish tank and a 12v 2 way solenoid got some ideas for both, might be a while before I get everything sorted but its a start.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 30, 2013, 10:40:34 AM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8427170907_f0ef271eea_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8427170907/)
A Spin the Shed (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8427170907/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Another from a couple of weeks ago I've just got round to processing last night.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 03, 2013, 20:29:49 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8440097757_0b1a52ca5b_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8440097757/)
Stuck between a Rock and Hard Place (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8440097757/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on February 04, 2013, 18:57:31 PM
Nice shots mate, love the wire wool shot! I see your getting used to the big stopper :-)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 04, 2013, 19:02:33 PM
Nice shots mate, love the wire wool shot! I see your getting used to the big stopper :-)

Yeah getting used to it, need a bit more practice with it but I'm starting to see where I can use it a bit more, just a shame the weathers so rubbish at the mo or I'd get out a bit more especially at lunch time at work.

Another one from the same trip:

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8445103620_ab50cf341d_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8445103620/)
A Hint of Sunrise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8445103620/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 06, 2013, 19:27:44 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8325/8449713317_550e1ddb3e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8449713317/)
The Stars above the Lighthouse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8449713317/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Single frame from the startrails I did at the start to Jan, wanted the astrometry bot on flickr to ID the stars but it didn't work doh, however I have managed to get that re-tweeted by the VirtualAstro guy on twitter so its got about 100 views in 10 minutes, nice!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 07, 2013, 20:32:28 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8453272999_6300be96d6_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8453272999/)
Eye on the Tyne (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8453272999/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

And one from work today, seem to have lots of new photos this week!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 10, 2013, 17:21:51 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8461454426_f28058a61d_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8461454426/)
Footprints in the Sunrise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8461454426/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on February 10, 2013, 17:23:39 PM
Have you ever considered selling these as canvas prints? A number of them are easily print worthy I think.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 10, 2013, 18:03:59 PM
Have you ever considered selling these as canvas prints? A number of them are easily print worthy I think.

I've thought about it in the past, there's a few sites you can upload photos to and let people buy them in canvas so I don't think it'd be too difficult I can just never be arsed lol
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: M3ta7h3ad on February 12, 2013, 03:24:43 AM
I'd be interested providing they didn't have the massive Russell Cram written on them. (Paying for the photo not the trademark :) )

Some of your photos are incredibly beautiful.


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 12, 2013, 20:55:07 PM
I'd be interested providing they didn't have the massive Russell Cram written on them. (Paying for the photo not the trademark :) )

Some of your photos are incredibly beautiful.


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks M3ta7h3ad!  Its great getting positive feedback off people but even better when someone says they'd be willing to pay for some of them.

Removing the RussellCram off them isn't too much of a problem, I've still got all the photoshop files and its just on a layer so easy enough to remove, apart from the fact I've got loads of them to go through!

Looks like you can do a gallery on deviantart which will let people buy prints/canvas through so I'll try and have a look at that, might also spur me on to try and put a website up and put up some sort of shop on that.

I've also just found out that the MFD Photocopiers at work print out photos rather nicely, so I'm busy trying to sort out and run off a copy of all my flickr photos on A3, some of them look great printed out, think I'll go through rather a lot of toner at work such a shame...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: M3ta7h3ad on February 12, 2013, 22:07:12 PM
Definitely keep the trademark on the image protect your ip just remove it for printed copies.

Not sure if any websites cater for that.

Be sure to post up a link if you get something sorted.



Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 13, 2013, 22:38:40 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8228/8472265880_96133e1338_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8472265880/)
There's a Sunrise in There Somewhere (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8472265880/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on February 14, 2013, 08:54:23 AM
Zenfolio and Smugmug are pretty much made for this kind of thing. Premium photo hosting, with built in print options so you can upload photos, design the site using their wizard stuff, and then set printing options and pricing. Everything from standard photo prints on different papers, to canvas prints, as well as the gimmicky prints on things like keyrings, mugs and t-shirts. I used Zenfolio for a year, it was really quite good, the pricing is very transparent in terms of being able to see how much a print will cost and being able to set your profit margin (EG they say it's £1 to print this canvas, and so you can sell at cost, or say £1.50 etc for 50p profit).

Only issue is that they aren't cheap. They have a basic plan which doesn't cost much, but to really get anything half decent you need the mid-price plans which are around £100 a year, or that's what they were when I did it.

I ended up going back to flickr as £100 is too much to spend, if you rarely sell anything! I think though that your photos are good enough that if you marketed and advertised properly you wouldn't have much trouble turning a profit after the year!


Definitely keep the trademark on the image protect your ip just remove it for printed copies.

Not sure if any websites cater for that.

Be sure to post up a link if you get something sorted.



Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 14, 2013, 13:44:19 PM
Zenfolio and Smugmug are pretty much made for this kind of thing. Premium photo hosting, with built in print options so you can upload photos, design the site using their wizard stuff, and then set printing options and pricing. Everything from standard photo prints on different papers, to canvas prints, as well as the gimmicky prints on things like keyrings, mugs and t-shirts. I used Zenfolio for a year, it was really quite good, the pricing is very transparent in terms of being able to see how much a print will cost and being able to set your profit margin (EG they say it's £1 to print this canvas, and so you can sell at cost, or say £1.50 etc for 50p profit).

Only issue is that they aren't cheap. They have a basic plan which doesn't cost much, but to really get anything half decent you need the mid-price plans which are around £100 a year, or that's what they were when I did it.

I ended up going back to flickr as £100 is too much to spend, if you rarely sell anything! I think though that your photos are good enough that if you marketed and advertised properly you wouldn't have much trouble turning a profit after the year!

I've found Zenfolio but didn't know about smugmug, will check them out does look like you can do it through DeviantArt as well but have to be a premium member but that's only £20 a year so not quite as expensive as ZenFolio but it doesn't have the webpage side of things.

The advertising side of things could be a little tricky, easy enough to put a link to it on flickr and facebook but thats a fairly limited audience really still if it leads to a couple of sales it should pay for itself.

Having printed out a load of photos at work most are fine but I think I'd need to do some re-edits on some just to increase sharpness/vibrance that sort of thing to make them more specific to print, guess that's no hardship just time and effort.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on February 15, 2013, 08:49:45 AM
I think to be honest the sales on the websites would be driven by real world sales and advertising. I guess you could do things like donate a couple of decent prints to places like Doctors surgeries, with a little card or something linking back to your site. I know that if the photos in my local GP had any info on the photographer I'd have been to his/her site already!

Flickr has strict rules about advertising, as they're partnered with Getty images they don't like you to advertise other image services.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: M3ta7h3ad on February 15, 2013, 10:51:28 AM
I've seen the card thing done in hotels and bars and restaurants I've been in.

I suppose its down to how you market yourself and if you consider it your main business. You could set up a market stall for instance and just use an iPad or laptop to place orders for people who wish to purchase your prints.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on February 15, 2013, 11:23:32 AM
I've seen the card thing done in hotels and bars and restaurants I've been in.

I suppose its down to how you market yourself and if you consider it your main business. You could set up a market stall for instance and just use an iPad or laptop to place orders for people who wish to purchase your prints.

If you're going to do this sort of thing go pro or go home IMO. I wouldn't buy prints off some guy with a market stall and a laptop, or even one of those pop-ups you get in shopping centres. If you didn't want to pay for a system like Zenfolio or Smugmug a website would be easy to setup on virtuamart 2 for instance which is free, and if it was fixed canvas sizes you offered e.g. a small/med/large it would be no hassle setting up products either, just make up a product for each image you have available to print with optional size to add to basket.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: M3ta7h3ad on February 15, 2013, 12:11:45 PM
I've seen the card thing done in hotels and bars and restaurants I've been in.

I suppose its down to how you market yourself and if you consider it your main business. You could set up a market stall for instance and just use an iPad or laptop to place orders for people who wish to purchase your prints.

If you're going to do this sort of thing go pro or go home IMO. I wouldn't buy prints off some guy with a market stall and a laptop, or even one of those pop-ups you get in shopping centres. If you didn't want to pay for a system like Zenfolio or Smugmug a website would be easy to setup on virtuamart 2 for instance which is free, and if it was fixed canvas sizes you offered e.g. a small/med/large it would be no hassle setting up products either, just make up a product for each image you have available to print with optional size to add to basket.

Thing is I wouldn't ordinarily google and buy art from a website either myself.

I would however slow my stroll through a market if a big A3+ print caught my eye, walk up and ask the person selling them how I could buy one.

The online selling thing is a losing battle as you're already up against several hundred others trying the same thing, like zpyder says translating it to real world transactions is where you can get cash to pay for the site.

Failing that, do galleries have amateur open days/evenings? Where you can show your wares at an art gallery to punters?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on February 15, 2013, 13:06:25 PM
I guess another route is joining the local photographic societies. I guess over time work gets shown, wins prizes etc. Good networking. Etc.

When it comes to people buying prints, businesses will just go somewhere like istockphoto or shutterstock and get things printed for their walls. Individuals who appreciate the art and want the pieces for their own home, will likely go to a gallery. Displaying in pubs/bars/surgeries is probably a good way of doing things as you won't get charged a commission by the gallery etc, and will reach a bigger audience too?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on February 15, 2013, 13:08:30 PM
Thinking about it, the other option is to make some local postcards etc. You've got some awesome landscapes, are there any local tourist attractions and/or visitor centres? Maybe approach them with samples of your work, and offer to split any profits. you won't make mega bucks, but every time someone buys and sends one of the postcards, the buyer will see your website address on the back, and everyone else who sees it at the other end will too!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Eggtastico on February 15, 2013, 16:43:06 PM
you going to be out this evening trying to snap the asteroid?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 15, 2013, 18:04:59 PM
you going to be out this evening trying to snap the asteroid?

Possibly, looks like its visible from just before 8 till around 11, found a good picture of where it should be on the guardians website, just depends on the cloud, really clear in Newcastle but as I've come home towards the coast it looks to be getting fairly cloudy doh

http://bayfordbury.herts.ac.uk/files/2012DA14-path.pdf

I'll have a proper read of the website stuff later on once I've done a bit more research on where to go.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 16, 2013, 21:19:24 PM
Went out last night for about half an hour but couldn't see a thing through the binoculars I took, few people on twitter last night saying it was very hard to see even with decent binoculars so don't think I stood much chance, shame.

I think to begin with the online shop route is the easiest and for things like putting photos up in shops/cafes I'd need to get the photos printed and framed so it'd take a bit of investment first which I can't afford at the minute.  I could imagine though that it would probably be seen by more people which might result in more sales but I think I'd need to bulk out my portfolio with more photos of iconic landmarks from around the area then throw in a few of the more recent style shots that for the most part could be taken just about anywhere.

I've seen a few people on weekend markets selling photos, don't see many sales though but if your only paying £10-20 or so for your stall and make one or two sales its enough to cover the cost of the stall but again it has high setup costs as I'd have to get a lot of photos printed out.  Something like printing one of each out and having them on display then taking orders might be a good alternative especially when you think an A4 print is about £1 each and A3 is about £3 (hence why I'm printing all of mine off A3 using the MFD's at work  ;D) then your looking at mounts etc.

Quote
Failing that, do galleries have amateur open days/evenings? Where you can show your wares at an art gallery to punters?

Haven't heard of that but I'll keep my eye out I'd imagine that they might or if I can give them a good series of prints they put them out somewhere.

Thinking about it, the other option is to make some local postcards etc. You've got some awesome landscapes, are there any local tourist attractions and/or visitor centres? Maybe approach them with samples of your work, and offer to split any profits. you won't make mega bucks, but every time someone buys and sends one of the postcards, the buyer will see your website address on the back, and everyone else who sees it at the other end will too!

That might not be a bad idea, there are a few local touristy type shops in nearby towns, again would need more iconic local landmarks but I could offer them say a pack of 100 postcards of 10 various photos for I dunno £50 which they can sell on at £1 each or whatever and make sure I've got a website setup with a page for buying bigger prints.

I guess another route is joining the local photographic societies. I guess over time work gets shown, wins prizes etc. Good networking. Etc.

I don't know of any local societies as such, there is a bunch of local togs that are a bit of a clique I'm trying to get friendly with, think am slowly getting there by taking some better shots.

One thing I'd try to make sure I do is to plough back profits into more photo related equipment/sites/prints and I did find another site to add to the list www.photo4me.com

Interesting ideas though, thanks for the input folks, looks like I could do with some money to get me started which is great when my boilers packed in last week and is going to take just over £200 to fix joys.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 17, 2013, 17:57:25 PM
And from this mornings sunrise

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8482983042_ab8efa35e4_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8482983042/)
Morning Glory (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8482983042/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Eggtastico on February 18, 2013, 09:51:16 AM
ooh nice timing :)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 18, 2013, 11:25:35 AM
ooh nice timing :)

Thanks, took a few attempts for a wave to come along the right size but it really adds to the photo.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 19, 2013, 18:09:59 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8489637084_6ddff1cbd0_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8489637084/)
The Bridge is on Fire (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8489637084/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Some more wire wooling, this time on a dissused railway line underneath a flyover/bridge.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 20, 2013, 19:48:29 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8492409754_7d2f402dec_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8492409754/)
River of Fire (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8492409754/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 21, 2013, 14:39:57 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8494159209_ce6915f2a8_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8494159209/)
Great Balls of Fire (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8494159209/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 22, 2013, 13:47:01 PM
Last one from that trip out

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8497987842_1fc68ceb98_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8497987842/)
Train Tracks of Spin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8497987842/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on February 22, 2013, 13:58:28 PM
I keep expecting to see a Terminator knelt down inside those circles ;D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 22, 2013, 15:06:19 PM
I keep expecting to see a Terminator knelt down inside those circles ;D

haha don't give us ideas...

Sort of tried that with the guy I was down there with

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8489136724_bf36f6de4a_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on February 22, 2013, 15:50:36 PM
Do the blue and yellow together and you could have a game of portal going on!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 23, 2013, 11:46:53 AM
Do the blue and yellow together and you could have a game of portal going on!

We've already thought of that, just need somewhere big enough to get 2 shots in the one exposure and then we just need to get a few spins going and have some shots we can merge in of hands/feet/heads poking out of the portals think its do-able but might take a bit of effort.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 10, 2013, 11:15:56 AM
Haven't been on much over the last few weeks as I've been busy with work, man flu and a trip to the lakes, so here's a couple of my recent shots:

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8536796673_248784e7f5_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8536796673/)
St Pauls Startrails (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8536796673/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8540772452_41f46597b7_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8540772452/)
CockShott Point Star Trails (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8540772452/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8090/8543024082_009d69f87e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8543024082/)
Ashness Jetty Black &amp; White (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8543024082/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on March 10, 2013, 13:36:54 PM
That last one is a real beauty, how did it come out in colour?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 10, 2013, 16:39:25 PM
That last one is a real beauty, how did it come out in colour?

Actually not that well, it was quite misty so everything looked a bit blue and well misty didn't help being taken early afternoon so the light wasn't great, that's why it ended up as a B&W it looked a bit flat in colour.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: addictweb on March 10, 2013, 21:40:27 PM
That last one is a real beauty, how did it come out in colour?

Agreed. A classic shot that would make an excellent print. Would love to take a shot like that.

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 11, 2013, 20:31:10 PM
That last one is a real beauty, how did it come out in colour?

Agreed. A classic shot that would make an excellent print. Would love to take a shot like that.

Thanks, I printed it out A3 at work today, looks good but the mountains in the background look a touch soft but that's down to the mist and me being picky lol, I imagine it'd be a bit more forgiving on a canvas however.  Well next time your in the lakes the jettys easy to get to you might need some filters but its down to the conditions on the day.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 12, 2013, 13:57:34 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8551930556_1865b8e281_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8551930556/)
Ashness Bridge Black and White (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8551930556/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Ashness Bridge in the lakes near near Keswick, really needs a decent background but the fog stopped that boo
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 22, 2013, 13:53:57 PM
My latest 2, well by latest I mean taken a couple of weeks ago and put onto flickr recently.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8565030157_e7deab3363_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8565030157/)
Blea Tarn (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8565030157/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8577261559_1a60e58706_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8577261559/)
And The Rock Cried Out (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8577261559/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on March 22, 2013, 14:02:02 PM
That Blea Tarn shot is fantastic, its going into my wallpaper rotation :ptu:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on March 22, 2013, 14:25:19 PM
You certainly live in a beautiful area, excellent shots!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 22, 2013, 21:20:47 PM
You certainly live in a beautiful area, excellent shots!

Thanks, I'm a couple of hours from where I took these photos, other side of the country really but its not that far really.

The one thing I've been working towards is trying to get a photo in flickrs explore, so far I haven't or so I thought till looking on bighugelabs scout turns out 2 of my photos have been in explore but then were dropped out of it again so they don't show up unless you look on the dropped ones, turns out they both got to #480 so am quite pleased apart from the dropped bit of course!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on March 22, 2013, 23:31:58 PM
Do you use any kind of location scouting apps or programs? I guess there are probably places an hour or two away down here that would be good, it's just knowing about them first!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: addictweb on March 23, 2013, 00:41:52 AM
My latest 2, well by latest I mean taken a couple of weeks ago and put onto flickr recently.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8565030157_e7deab3363_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8565030157/)
Blea Tarn (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8565030157/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr


That is something special, haven't yet worked out why exactly, but its immediately gripping. Detail in the water at the front, perfect reflection in the back, perfect use of thirds rule, amazing perspective aided by the angular rocks in the foreground. The framing really has been nailed. Congrats.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 23, 2013, 11:08:41 AM
Do you use any kind of location scouting apps or programs? I guess there are probably places an hour or two away down here that would be good, it's just knowing about them first!

Wouldn't say I use any location scouting apps, I just keep an eye on my flickr contacts and if they post something that looks like a good location stick it on my google maps page.  On my way back from the lakes we stopped off at a big farm shop (Cranstons Cumbrian Foothall, worth a visit if your in the area!) and they had some photos up in the cafe from a local photographer, so I've gone through his site and got a fair few locations from there.  Occasionally there's some interesting places that are flagged up on local TV or maybe something like country file that'll give me ideas.

If I'm going to an area on holiday I'll have a look on flickr maps and see what looks interesting, I'll also look on sites like trip advisor, tourist info sites and get some general ideas of whats around then google them till I know exactly where it is and if needs be do myself some directions and print out maps so I can get there.

There's a couple of useful sites like http://data.mapchannels.com/mc3/7593/engalndwaterfalls_7593.htm?v=3&x=-2.103881&y=55.021724&z=9&t=3&f=1 for the waterfalls in England, although it looks hardly complete as there aren't many down south.

Same idea but for castles:
http://www.castlestories.net/map/England.html
http://www.castlestories.net/map/Scotland.html
http://www.castlestories.net/map/Wales.html

There's also a few sites I don't use much but have in my favourites:

http://www.ephotozine.com/photolocations
http://www.mapmyphoto.co.uk/

And I guess the other one is photography magazines, I subscribe to one and occasionally pick up others and they have some good stuff in sometimes for locations.  Guess the key is if you see a picture you like the look of then find out where it was taken and make a note of it.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on March 23, 2013, 11:14:30 AM
That is something special, haven't yet worked out why exactly, but its immediately gripping. Detail in the water at the front, perfect reflection in the back, perfect use of thirds rule, amazing perspective aided by the angular rocks in the foreground. The framing really has been nailed. Congrats.

Thanks!  Useful tip I've found out quite by chance recently is that if you want good reflections like that then use an ND filter to give you a slower exposure, it smooths out all the ripples in the water so you end up with better reflections.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 04, 2013, 19:20:32 PM
Three more from me from the last week, 2 from Monday evening:

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8614130126_e88e4fb911_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8614130126/)
Blue Garden (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8614130126/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8616580798_90a9d40d5e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8616580798/)
In For a Bit of a Soaking (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8616580798/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

And one from last night:

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8618264295_a16ae48f3a_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8618264295/)
A Line to the Great Beyond (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8618264295/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: addictweb on April 05, 2013, 11:21:39 AM
Blue Garden is an unbelievable shot. Absolutely breathtaking. Congrats.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 05, 2013, 13:37:28 PM
Blue Garden is an unbelievable shot. Absolutely breathtaking. Congrats.

Thanks, it was actually taken about 20-30 minutes after sunset, it was really dark, could hardly see the rock to focus on!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 22, 2013, 13:56:01 PM
Couple of new ones from me, haven't been out as much  as I'd like as works been busy and my backs been giving me some jip on and off for a few weeks, hopefully things have settled down on both accounts so I might be able to get out and about more.

I'm also trying some of my photos without the usual border/logo on as I'm not sure if it really adds much or isn't easily removed in photoshop.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8652187608_2bf7751513_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8652187608/)
123, 122, 121, 120, 119... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8652187608/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8254/8663264139_4d41dd2d9c_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8663264139/)
ISS Flyover (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8663264139/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8669535418_0ed4f6f3c3_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8669535418/)
Finchale Priory (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8669535418/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Wouldn't say I'm 100% happy with the last shot as I think I've over done it with the Neutral Density Filter over the top half of the photo so I've had to push it quite a bit in photoshop to get any sort of detail and it just still doesn't look too well balanced.  I've got a couple of other shots to edit from there but if they don't come out to well and the weather is decent I might pop back over as its only 20-25 minutes away by car and maybe look at doing something like an HDR shot as well as a filtered shot.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on April 22, 2013, 16:13:01 PM
Was going to say, looks like a bit of fringing or something in the trees in the last shot, everything below the horizon seems ok though.

Is 123,122... a wooden escalator? Pretty cool. I've been meaning to try some B&W photography recently.

This week I'm pretty much outside in a woodland and field area, with nothing much to do, I'm hoping to get a few decent photographs of things whilst out there...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 23, 2013, 13:35:46 PM
Was going to say, looks like a bit of fringing or something in the trees in the last shot, everything below the horizon seems ok though.

Is 123,122... a wooden escalator? Pretty cool. I've been meaning to try some B&W photography recently.

This week I'm pretty much outside in a woodland and field area, with nothing much to do, I'm hoping to get a few decent photographs of things whilst out there...

I noticed those trees when I was editing it and can't really explain it properly, could be some reflections from filters as I might have had 2 or 3 filters on for that shot, haven't seen that before though so not sure if that's the answer.  I need to go back and do it as an HDR shot, that'll probably give them best results just got to wait for the right night and see if I can get there.

Yeah its the wooden escalator in the Pedestrian Tyne Tunnel which are apparently the longest wooden escalators in the UK or maybe even Europe, they're about to replace one of the escalators at each end of the tunnel with an inclined lift thing thats going to totally spoil it, got till the 20th of May to get any more shots before they close the place for a year.  I've done a few B&W's recently which is surprising I never thought I'd do that many but they can really make an image pop when there isn't much colour in it.

Sounds like an opportunity to get some shots in, seen the macro ones so that's a good start to the week, lets just hope it doesn't start raining or something!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on April 29, 2013, 20:23:22 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8686910248_0f3a281465_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8686910248/)
Sunset on the Golf Course (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8686910248/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/8688878427_bebc3efce2_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8688878427/)
Cleadon Mill (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8688878427/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Couple more from me.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 01, 2013, 22:54:49 PM
A wildlife shot from me along with some details as which make it an interesting ish tale:

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8127/8699278475_0d1a2dc4b1_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8699278475/)
Poor Mrs Blackbird (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8699278475/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr


Around 2 weeks ago my parents were pleased to find that a pair of blackbirds had started to build a nest in amongst some pallets in their back garden.  Having not had a chance to do much wildlife photography since moving out a few years ago I took the opportunity to dust off my 400mm lens and get snapping.

All seemed to be going well until I called in on my way past to find two very concerned parents, they had came home to find lots of feathers strewen around the garden and there had been no sign of the female blackbird that night.  A quick wander about and too my dismay I found the severed head of an unlucky blackbird.  That's not to say that the unlucky bird was the nesting blackbird but it is strongly looking that way.  What could have happened to Mrs Blackbird?  Well a few weeks before the blackbirds started to nest my parents had a much larger and deadlier visitor in their garden, a male sparrowhawk, I think, as the only pictures they have were taken on a blackberry.

Hopefully for the sake of our blackbirds the sparrowhawk will stay away, but not before it lets me get a few photos...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 03, 2013, 13:56:22 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8407/8702006920_b397830e28_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8702006920/)
Blackbird (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8702006920/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8700899111_5e5280d9c8_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8700899111/)
Down into the Tyne, Up Into the Sky (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8700899111/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 06, 2013, 22:14:11 PM
Was up at 4am yesterday morning to take in a sunrise at St Marys lighthouse just up the coast from me, managed a couple of decent shots got more to upload as well.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8711141496_0e5a7a38ce_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8711141496/)
That Lighthouse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8711141496/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8406/8713291071_402536e4ae_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8713291071/)
In a Rush to Get to St Marys (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8713291071/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Edit: These both look a little flat on my laptop monitor, hopefully its just that and not the shots in general, they looked good on my PC's monitor.

Also just booked up over the weekend to go to Sorrento later in the year with my parents as a sort of family holiday for my Mam's 60th, I've already started looking for places to go just need to work out what gear I'm taking and get that insurance sorted.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 08, 2013, 23:14:39 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/8720624413_ab3662e4b8_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8720624413/)
Standing Tall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8720624413/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Was back at St Marys with a friend for sunset last night, got a couple of landscape shots then stumbled across a seal so grabbed a few shots of that, should have them edited and uploaded soon hopefully.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 09, 2013, 18:06:34 PM
Last sunrise shot...

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/8721934197_ea51223165_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8721934197/)
And Slowly She Rises (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8721934197/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Few weeks ago I managed to find a screen shot of my flickr views from 22nd Jan last year just after I took the photos of the Aurora and started to get loads of views, at the time I had 5348 views and I think I'd had my flickr account since 2007.  I set myself a little goal to get 10,000 views in a year, I missed checking my flickr views on the 22nd, but as of the 23rd I had 15990 views, so I've had 10642 views in a calendar year which I'm quite chuffed about since I'd only been averaging 1000 views a year before that.

Don't think I'll quite manage another 10000 views in the next year as my aurora photos make up about 3000 views of that 10k but I'll try ;)

So I got 10,000 views last year and was rather pleased with that, well things are continuing quite well, that last shot and the one I posted yesterday have taken me to 26,007 views, so since the 23rd Jan I've had 10,017 views in 107 days, am averaging 93 views per day!  If this continues I could be on for 30k views this year alone, hopefully that's possible but lets just stick with the next 10,000 views first I think.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 12, 2013, 11:22:58 AM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/8727745545_2c6d6bbff1_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8727745545/)
Gayle Beck Waterfall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8727745545/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 12, 2013, 21:10:45 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/8730463187_5cc4cf6dfb_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8730463187/)
St Marys Seal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8730463187/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on May 13, 2013, 12:24:53 PM
How are you doing the italic equipment sub-titles in your descriptions? Manually and typing out the <i> tags yourself, or is there some function somewhere I've not spotted?

The seal photo is pretty cool, nicely exposed in difficult lighting conditions.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 13, 2013, 13:20:30 PM
How are you doing the italic equipment sub-titles in your descriptions? Manually and typing out the <i> tags yourself, or is there some function somewhere I've not spotted?

The seal photo is pretty cool, nicely exposed in difficult lighting conditions.

Yeah its just manually putting in the <i> html tags when I upload the photo, strangely sometimes it strips them out so I have to put them back in, can't see anywhere to get it to put them in automatically.

Thanks, it was getting quite dark so I did wonder at the time how they'd all come out, especially as its hand held.  Got another half dozen of them but I don't think I'll upload all of them, well not yet anyway lol
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 13, 2013, 20:21:38 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/8736367216_d0ced02c35_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8736367216/)
Seaweed Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8736367216/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

From just before the seal was spotted, wasnt sure if it would come out but its not come out too badly at all.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 29, 2013, 17:30:46 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/8739750704_ba3483f4d5_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8739750704/)
That Damn Lighthouse Again (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8739750704/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8744458522_990fd7539c_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8744458522/)
Not You Again (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8744458522/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/8844512445_9272a3b7c5_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8844512445/)
Chemical Beach (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8844512445/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/8853211016_89b4ffe2a8_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8853211016/)
The Wheels on the Beach go Round and Round (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8853211016/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/8880122242_6b326bf4d9_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8880122242/)
Beadnell Harbour (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8880122242/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: bytejunkie on May 29, 2013, 22:04:41 PM
gonna say this only once so as not to litter the thread. nice pics.

ok ive said it. dont think that cos i dont say it again that i dont like your pics. keep em coming.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on May 30, 2013, 18:35:51 PM
gonna say this only once so as not to litter the thread. nice pics.

ok ive said it. dont think that cos i dont say it again that i dont like your pics. keep em coming.

Don't worry Bytejunkie I'll keep em coming, and thanks!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 01, 2013, 19:08:04 PM
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/8914374565_f285be8187_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8914374565/)
When the Waves Come Rolling In (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8914374565/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

And finally got round to uploading another of the star trails shots as a video onto youtube:

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on June 20, 2013, 22:03:25 PM
Finally go myself out doing some seascapes/landscapes again last night after a few weeks of trying to get some wildlife shots and not doing very well at it.

(http://l2.yimg.com/sk/3751/9096473140_2e97b57537_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9096473140/)
Red Sky at Night, Shepards Delight (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9096473140/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 04, 2013, 13:36:44 PM
Haven't really got much to show, last few weeks I've tried to do some wildlife shots but haven't exactly got anything to show for it, did grab a seascape when I was out on Monday night though.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/9145966086_cb8a7cdfda_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9145966086/)
I Think We're Going To Need A New Wheelbarrow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9145966086/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/9198145639_dcf09bffd4_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9198145639/)
One Rock, One Wave, One Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9198145639/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 08, 2013, 21:52:25 PM
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/9242625632_2143bd9f90_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9242625632/)
Its Behind You (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9242625632/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 11, 2013, 22:17:10 PM
Little bit of Urban exploration and wire wooling last night in some abandonded swimming baths, got a few more to come.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/9262665163_441501e873_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9262665163/)
A Different Kind of Shower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9262665163/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on July 12, 2013, 09:13:51 AM
You're based "up north" aren't you now?

Early August I might be up Yorkshire/Hartlepool way if you fancied meeting up or something to do some photography?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 12, 2013, 13:21:44 PM
You're based "up north" aren't you now?

Early August I might be up Yorkshire/Hartlepool way if you fancied meeting up or something to do some photography?

Yeah I'm basically in Newcastle so basically an hour away by car, but definitely just let me know dates and where you'll be and we'll give it a go trying to organise something.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on July 12, 2013, 18:42:16 PM
I'd be interested in seeing more of your UE shots if you're interested in doing them, it's a cool subject. Don't go getting yourself chased  by security/dogs or anything though ;D
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on July 12, 2013, 22:21:48 PM
Indeed, do you get permission or sneak in, there's a prime site near me but I've not had much luck getting a response from the owners. Might try the security contractors next!

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk HD
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 12, 2013, 22:32:29 PM
I'd be interested in seeing more of your UE shots if you're interested in doing them, it's a cool subject. Don't go getting yourself chased  by security/dogs or anything though ;D

Its quite good fun doing it, getting to go somewhere that other people don't, I'm hoping to visit a few locations over the next few weeks/months in prep for visiting them in the dark later in the year to do some wire wool/light painting stuff.  Or at least that's the idea anyway!

Haha yeah that wouldn't be good, especially as I'm really unfit at the mo!

Indeed, do you get permission or sneak in, there's a prime site near me but I've not had much luck getting a response from the owners. Might try the security contractors next!

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk HD

So far I've just sneaked in, don't think there's anyone to get permission off for the last 2 places I've been in lol  Plus if you say you want to spin some burning wire wool around your head they might look at you a bit funny, I know most people I tell them do lol

When I was out the other day I went with a friend and another 2 guys both of which are much more experienced at doing light painting, this is one of the shots they did http://www.flickr.com/photos/fellwalker1/9266494940/

I've just put an order in for a remote controlled colour changing light bulb, some EL wire and I need to get myself some stuff to make an attachment for my drill... fun times ahead!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: bytejunkie on July 12, 2013, 22:54:24 PM
i live on a top site for UE, stick high royds into flickr and see what comes up. they're not far off finishing developing it now though.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 13, 2013, 19:32:41 PM
i live on a top site for UE, stick high royds into flickr and see what comes up. they're not far off finishing developing it now though.

Looks like it was really cool, in some way a shame that they are redeveloping it but its good that they put the old buildings to use rather than just pulling it all down and starting again.  Does look like there would be some cool wire wool spots especially those long corridors.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 18, 2013, 13:46:43 PM
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/9286037654_55d63bb70b_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9286037654/)
No Diving (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9286037654/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Another from the same trip to the baths, might have one more but I haven't edited it yet.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 22, 2013, 22:12:45 PM
Two from a trip out last week that I've only just got round to editing in the last few days:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/9334646495_c5969d73a7_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9334646495/)
The Heron and the Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9334646495/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/9340102395_723eec8f5e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9340102395/)
A World Reflected (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9340102395/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on July 24, 2013, 22:45:52 PM
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/9358898292_57c610393e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9358898292/)
Seaweed Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9358898292/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Seem to have quite a few photos from the same trip out I want to edit but I've managed to call this one the same as a photo I've already got on flickr so I need to think of a new name for it, I hate thinking of names for photographs gah.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 12, 2013, 13:53:30 PM
Two recent ones:

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/9435167009_cbc01e1c71_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9435167009/)
This Rickety Old Pier (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9435167009/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/9451578357_114b96b873_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9451578357/)
Sunset in the Meadow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9451578357/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

2nd one is on the banks of the Tyne about 2 minutes away from my house, never even knew there was a man made wildflower meadow there, will be popping back with my macro lens to get some flower and insect shots when I can.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: XEntity on August 12, 2013, 17:32:48 PM
Very nice are they HDR?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 12, 2013, 19:41:57 PM
Very nice are they HDR?

nah both of them are single shots but they've both got Lee filters on, the 2nd one has a 0.9 NDGH and 0.9 NDGS.  Guess that's another form of HDR in some ways, just that its filters that are being used to increase the dynamic range of the shot rather than several shots.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on August 12, 2013, 20:21:47 PM
Amazing shots. I've just got back from Yorkshire today and am going through the photos now. Yorkshire and Wales the other week were my first attempts at really trying to use both an ND grad filter and HDR stuff. I've had mixed results, some I feel are pretty washed out, others ok, and others I've overdone it.

My best shots though were from pottering around the resevoir, and I used the ND Grad and a polarising filter to slow the water right down on some streams. It's got me thinking about getting a plain ND filter and doing more stream stuff in the forests. I'll get the photos up in a day or two!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 12, 2013, 20:35:56 PM
Amazing shots. I've just got back from Yorkshire today and am going through the photos now. Yorkshire and Wales the other week were my first attempts at really trying to use both an ND grad filter and HDR stuff. I've had mixed results, some I feel are pretty washed out, others ok, and others I've overdone it.

My best shots though were from pottering around the resevoir, and I used the ND Grad and a polarising filter to slow the water right down on some streams. It's got me thinking about getting a plain ND filter and doing more stream stuff in the forests. I'll get the photos up in a day or two!

Its still worth giving some a run through photoshop just to see what the come out like, I think I'm starting to get the shooting to the right lark, the shots don't always look great until you edit them.  Still not everyhings coming out quite right, but its still worth trying to edit them.

I use my 2 stop ND filter a bit, not loads but quite regularly and its produced some of my favourite shots, this one, even though its about 0.5s maybe 1s too long:

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/8019246393_23c6c01c26_t.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8019246393/)
Plodda Falls Pt 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/8019246393/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

And I'm hoping at some point to try and get more water falls and small rivers to get more, after initially hating the smooth water look it can produce some great looking shots.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on August 13, 2013, 09:30:49 AM
That is a really good shot. The composition is particularly good, very lucky to have some rocks in such an ideal location (I'm considering taking some waders if I go to do river shots in the new forest!) Did it look like other people accessed the same location as you? I found it interesting walking around the resevoir, you could see various "desire trails" from people walking off the path to get good view spots :D

It was a shame that I couldn't travel up to your neck of the woods at the weekend, but you're also more than welcome to come and crash down here in the Bournemouth area for a bit if you fancied it ;)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 13, 2013, 21:11:14 PM
That is a really good shot. The composition is particularly good, very lucky to have some rocks in such an ideal location (I'm considering taking some waders if I go to do river shots in the new forest!) Did it look like other people accessed the same location as you? I found it interesting walking around the resevoir, you could see various "desire trails" from people walking off the path to get good view spots :D

It was a shame that I couldn't travel up to your neck of the woods at the weekend, but you're also more than welcome to come and crash down here in the Bournemouth area for a bit if you fancied it ;)

Aye I think there'd been a few other people down to that spot, the actual viewing area is about 4-5m above where I was and despite it being fenced off there was a definite path down.  I've seen quite a few places like that, sometimes though its not a good idea to follow them or you just end up with the same shot as everyone else gets from a location, not always a bad thing mind.

In some ways I'm glad, the slipped disc in my back's been giving me some bother this last week or two so and walking abouts been a challenege at time never mind carrying camera gear very far.  I might take you up on that one day, could fancy a holiday down Cornwall way (would love to go see the Eden Project) and could easily have a day or two in Bournemouth on the way there or back.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on August 29, 2013, 14:00:07 PM
Not being doing much photography as my backs been giving me some jip, its just about back fine now but I'm off on holiday next Friday so don't want to do too much lugging gear around incase I have bother again.  But I did manage to get to Gibside, a local National Trust property that's got some nice gardens and lots of honey bees, so to show that Zypder isn't the only one who can do macro here's the first few shots I've got uploaded from the trip:

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/9612340645_d4f8265922_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9612340645/)
Pollen Thief (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9612340645/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/9619485851_10b6874875_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9619485851/)
This is a Stick Up, Give Me All the Pollen! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9619485851/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Got another 7-8 I might upload, few are annoying as I've chopped bits of flower off or something, will probably upload them anyway.

Oh and managed to get my gear insured before my holidays, £127 for a year with photoguard for £3k's worth of equipment, which isn't too bad really.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on August 29, 2013, 19:31:53 PM
Good to hear about photoguard, I need to reinsure everything before I go to the caribbean later in the year!

The DOF on those is amazing, excellent colour too. I'm guessing at the 1/250 shutter speed that it must have been a nice bright day?

Have you tried cropping to a square format? I wonder if Pollen thief might work if you crop out the left side, stick up might work also, though not sure if it'll be quite square as you really want the tips of the petals on the right?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 02, 2013, 21:52:32 PM
Good to hear about photoguard, I need to reinsure everything before I go to the caribbean later in the year!

The DOF on those is amazing, excellent colour too. I'm guessing at the 1/250 shutter speed that it must have been a nice bright day?

Have you tried cropping to a square format? I wonder if Pollen thief might work if you crop out the left side, stick up might work also, though not sure if it'll be quite square as you really want the tips of the petals on the right?

Aye its a bit of weight off the old mind when its insured, especially when you work out the contents of my bag is just over £3k to replace with new, not something I'd want to loose in a hurry!

Yeah really bright day, I know they say you shouldn't as the lights not exactly flattering but it really helps get that shutter speed up whilst and getting a good DoF.

I'll give them both a try with a square crop, certainly think that pollen thief will work square as theres basically nothing on the left hand side, the other one might work as well as it'd help get rid of the bad spots on the flower to right, I'll try them later on and see what they're like.

Here's a few more:

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/9646752806_e121470b07_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9646752806/)
Yellow Flower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9646752806/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Chopped the right hand tip of the flower off on that one which is annoying.

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/9646735886_f8544afa42_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9646735886/)
Is This a Flower or a Microphone (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9646735886/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/9643682427_49dd331bc8_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9643682427/)
Black Bee (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9643682427/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Never seen a totally black bee before.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/9643556761_ef1630b4b2_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9643556761/)
Not so Hover Fly (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9643556761/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

And shame I chopped the bottom of the flower off, plenty of room in the shot to get it in if I'd managed to recompose it at the time.

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 18, 2013, 22:28:18 PM
Starting to get through some of my photos from my week on Sorrento:

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/9762713852_d0a56ab174_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9762713852/)
Sorrento by Night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9762713852/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9787616762_780acdc79d_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9787616762/)
Amalfi Pano (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/9787616762/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

The pano is well huge 16 shots at 16mm stitched together, printed out at 240dpi its 1.7m x 0.5m, might get it printed out properly at some point but maybe not that big, course I could do a test print using the big plan printer we have at work and I just happen to be working some overtime this weekend too hmm..
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on September 18, 2013, 23:21:43 PM
Those are both stunning!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on September 30, 2013, 22:09:23 PM
Those are both stunning!

Thanks, haven't been able to get much done over the last week or so and probably won't get too much done over the next few months but we'll see, still got a backlog of shots from my holiday and a couple of other things to get through even if I can't get out and get anything new.

So have a new one, got an almost identical shot I need to finish off but for now this is an 11 shot pano of the view from my parents bedroom balcony in the hotel we were in:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/10026233676_6fa0e40741_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10026233676/)
A View Over Sorrento (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10026233676/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 01, 2013, 20:36:22 PM
Out of interest, how many photos do you tend to take on a trip, and how long do you spend processing/sorting them out afterwards? It's hard to tell as you post consistently high quality images, but also state about needing time to sort them out, but you only ever post a few at a time :D

For me I think I don't necessarily take "too many", but I don't seem to be able to whittle down the number that well afterwards to just a select "good" few.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 01, 2013, 21:22:32 PM
Out of interest, how many photos do you tend to take on a trip, and how long do you spend processing/sorting them out afterwards? It's hard to tell as you post consistently high quality images, but also state about needing time to sort them out, but you only ever post a few at a time :D

For me I think I don't necessarily take "too many", but I don't seem to be able to whittle down the number that well afterwards to just a select "good" few.

I took just under 2k in a week  on this holiday :o checked a few previous holidays and sometimes its only 1000 in a week, few others closer to 2k again.  Most trips out for sunrises etc I've noticed I'm taking a lot less than I used to, some of my last few trips out I've only taken 20-30 where as it was more like 50-60 last year but that'll be down to me improving my eye I guess.

As for how long to sort them, well the holiday ones take a fair while, I normally sort them into date then put them into folders named after where or what so I can remember when I look back at them.  Doing all that can take a while but then doing that I'll pick out photos I want to edit and go back over them later on.  Normally it can be a few weeks inbetween trips out so that's normally why I end up posting in batches, might only get out once or twice a month, sometimes more though.

I sometimes find it hard to work out which ones I want to edit, especially for say sunrises/sunsets since the light changes quite quickly I'll try and take a few shots around what I think then try a few 'shooting to the right' as I'm just starting to get my head around that one.  But sitting down looking at them on a computer I can't always pick out the 'one' to edit so sometimes have to do it a few times, sometimes though I can just pick it straight out but its quite hard usually.

Had some good news at work tempered by some bad news at home, good news is I got a promotion which is a couple of £k extra a year and less hours, along with just paying off the last of a loan this month means I'll have some spare money for some new toys (looking at the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and the Samyang 8mm f3.5, can't afford full frame yet I don't think so I'll stick with crop stuff for now) also bought a new tripod/head over the weekend in Costco that's a bit lighter than my old tripod.  Bad news is my Mam's got some health problems at the mo which we're waiting to find out how serious over the next few days which has put a bit of a downer on the end of the year.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 06, 2013, 19:15:26 PM
Couple more:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/10102455123_219212fc85_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10102455123/)
Views of Vesuvius (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10102455123/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/10122172556_e59590f4a6_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10122172556/)
Sorrento Harbour (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10122172556/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Was hoping to get more edited today especially some from Pompeii but I didn't, however I should be off out later on for some wire wool stuff so might have something interesting to post from that in a few days...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 07, 2013, 09:20:02 AM
That top one is so a facebook cover photo image!

I'm thinking if tomorrow is misty I'll try and do some mushroom photography. When you were off in these places did you use ND filters much because of the sun? Or just dial back the exposure?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 07, 2013, 13:27:25 PM
That top one is so a facebook cover photo image!

I'm thinking if tomorrow is misty I'll try and do some mushroom photography. When you were off in these places did you use ND filters much because of the sun? Or just dial back the exposure?

That's not a bad idea, might set it when I get in tonight.

Never actually managed to get a decent mushroom shot yet, saying that haven't tried too much might give it a go over the winter, something else to add to the to do list.

I took my ND's but only used them a couple of times but didn't get much with them, when your out and about during the day the sun's quite harsh but its also fairly even which means you can get away without using any.  Only time I noticed it being bad was a few shots in some alley ways that were quite gloomy, but the part of the sky you can see is totally blown out with no way of fixing it, and trying to expose for the sky meant it was fairly dark and the results haven't been great.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 07, 2013, 22:14:43 PM
A quick interlude from my holiday snaps, a little bit wire wool and light painting:

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/10144797883_2ba36c027d_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10144797883/)
Light 'Er Up (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10144797883/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 08, 2013, 20:09:56 PM

Never actually managed to get a decent mushroom shot yet, saying that haven't tried too much might give it a go over the winter, something else to add to the to do list.


Well mushrooms are a week or two behind, season-wise, but I found today in the New Forest that they're pretty much "over". A lot of the best/most funky species tend to appear and then die back quite quickly.

Still, there's a few around. I find them to be quite photogenic typically. I think the fact they're usually quite sturdy things, means with a decent low tripod, you can get some good angles etc.

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5323/10156398885_e506ec9f8f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zpyder/10156398885/)
Mushroom 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zpyder/10156398885/) by Chris_Moody (http://www.flickr.com/people/zpyder/), on Flickr

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/10156303443_7763c666e5.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zpyder/10156303443/)
Mushroom 5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zpyder/10156303443/) by Chris_Moody (http://www.flickr.com/people/zpyder/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 10, 2013, 13:39:49 PM
That 2nd ones really good, like the bright red colour on the top, really stands out against the rest of the browns & greens.

My new tripod lets me get fairly low which I've never been able to do before so might have to give it a try, just need to get a shorter centre column so I can get really low, should be very handy for some macro stuff.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 10, 2013, 15:24:20 PM
Tripod wise, I can't fault the Manfrotto I use. It's one of the ones where you can have the centre column either vertical or horizontal. This basically means for things like mushrooms, where the column might be too tall, I can put it horizontal and then have the camera essentially resting on the ground. Fiddly to do, but I find it makes it more stable than trying to prop the camera on its own on bits of debris etc.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 12, 2013, 12:07:03 PM
Tripod wise, I can't fault the Manfrotto I use. It's one of the ones where you can have the centre column either vertical or horizontal. This basically means for things like mushrooms, where the column might be too tall, I can put it horizontal and then have the camera essentially resting on the ground. Fiddly to do, but I find it makes it more stable than trying to prop the camera on its own on bits of debris etc.

I got myself a new tripod a couple of weeks ago, bit of an impulse buy when I was in Costco, I thought it would let me do rotate the centre column but turns out theres 2 models of that tripod, one that does and one that doesn't, guess which I picked up...  Not too bothered at the mo as its much lighter than my old one and if I get the shorter centre column I can get really low which might be handy sometimes.

Got a gripe with flickr, nothing major, but one of my contacts has uploaded a really good photo and its up to 36k views in a few days which is nearly as much on one photo as I've had on my entire photostream!  I upload a photo and am lucky if it gets 150 views in a few days.  Obviously the contacts photo made it onto explore but its one thing I just can't seem to do, tis rather annoying, well more like am jealous lol.

And some holiday photos of some Cloisters in Sorrento:

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/10196256066_a8b4777f96_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10196256066/)
Cloisters of San Francesco (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10196256066/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/10223200166_a51a6154aa_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10223200166/)
Cloisters Here, Cloisters There, Cloisters Everywhere (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10223200166/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 12, 2013, 14:12:11 PM
The views on flickr though are more to do with how you market the images. If that contact put the photo in several popular groups, and has a lot of followers/contacts, he's bound to get a load of views?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 13, 2013, 21:25:03 PM
The views on flickr though are more to do with how you market the images. If that contact put the photo in several popular groups, and has a lot of followers/contacts, he's bound to get a load of views?

That's how I always thought it was but he had it in 3 groups and I think they were ones that he'd been invited to put the photo in, must have been lots of contacts.

First one from Pompeii, got a few to upload this week but naming them is proving a touch difficult so far!

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/10251890524_c90048776c_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10251890524/)
Peeking Through The Bars (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10251890524/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 14, 2013, 13:52:27 PM
And some jars

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/10268593376_d17fe43eb7_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10268593376/)
Jars a Plenty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10268593376/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

and lets have a mural too:

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/10268850396_1c635f748f_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10268850396/)
Pompeii Mural (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10268850396/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 16, 2013, 13:51:21 PM
One statue, minus its arms

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/10309481913_9250ed24f3_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10309481913/)
Old 'Armless (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10309481913/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 16, 2013, 13:57:25 PM
A bronze statue of Satyr, was gonna call this one Wee Willy Winky but thought better of it...

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/10309461375_961a48f14f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10309461375/)
The Satyr of Pompeii (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10309461375/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 16, 2013, 14:47:12 PM
My jealousy of your skills never ceases to grow ;)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 21, 2013, 13:49:07 PM
My jealousy of your skills never ceases to grow ;)

Still got more to come from that holiday and a few recent wire wool outings just to make you even more jealous, speaking of which:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/10369933724_750b5fd657_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10369933724/)
Light The Fuse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10369933724/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 22, 2013, 21:39:38 PM
More from Pompeii

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/10428078425_b29963422e_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10428078425/)
The Pompeii Frigidarium (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10428078425/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/10421020446_f273388335_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10421020446/)
Weight Of The World (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10421020446/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 22, 2013, 22:16:03 PM
Might be my last holiday photo, got plenty more to upload though, just got to edit them first!  Quite annoyed by the vase growing out of his back, can't quite get it to disappear post but I might give it another go at some point.

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/10428450686_c4f6bf708f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10428450686/)
Cast in Stone (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10428450686/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 24, 2013, 13:39:21 PM
From just after I got back from Sorrento, after this got a few more wire wool shots to edit but not much else so might see about getting a sunrise over weekend in.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/10457008516_5abd52dc56_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10457008516/)
Sunset Seat (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10457008516/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 26, 2013, 20:45:23 PM
Got out this morning and went up to Blyth, managed to get a few shots this being the first I've put up:

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/10495334823_82b501c8b4_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10495334823/)
Poking Through the Clouds (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10495334823/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Also bought myself a Samyang 8mm fisheye lens which came yesterday haven't had too much of a chance to play with it but did grab some shots this morning so I'll see what they're like, mainly got it for urbex/wire wool stuff.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on October 27, 2013, 00:30:49 AM
*have* you tried selling your stuff yet?

At the very least I'm sure they'd get accepted on microstock websites?

I'm off to Antigua on Friday for 2 weeks. Can't tell whether the forecast of rain for most days is accurate, or whether what I've heard of the antiguan forecasts saying "overcast with chance of rain" when there's going to be a couple of clouds in the sky, is true.

Hopefully will get some shots, potential for lots of snorkelling!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 27, 2013, 17:49:23 PM
*have* you tried selling your stuff yet?

At the very least I'm sure they'd get accepted on microstock websites?

I'm off to Antigua on Friday for 2 weeks. Can't tell whether the forecast of rain for most days is accurate, or whether what I've heard of the antiguan forecasts saying "overcast with chance of rain" when there's going to be a couple of clouds in the sky, is true.

Hopefully will get some shots, potential for lots of snorkelling!

I haven't had a chance yet, I'm definetly going to upload stuff to istockphoto.com but I just haven't had the time yet, likewise with a website as that'll take a bit of time to setup but I do want to get something sorted soon.

Antingua looks lovely, not somewhere I've thought of going before really but it does look nice.  Could be there'll be some rain when you get there as the storm that's due to hit here tomorrow is meant to be coming from that area so you might get the tail end of it.

Be interesting to see what you come up with, you taking your waterproof camera with you?

Another from yesterday morning, not quite parallel to the other pier I was on means its slightly skew but I might have a go at fixing it in photoshop at some point if I can.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/10517414435_6b4b2568fc_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10517414435/)
Overflowing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10517414435/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 28, 2013, 13:53:36 PM
Last one from Blyth, next I need to edit some more of the wire wool shots from a few weeks ago.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/10536110143_60e5f78bef_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10536110143/)
Blyth Harbour Pier (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10536110143/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Eggtastico on October 29, 2013, 12:06:06 PM
Last one from Blyth, next I need to edit some more of the wire wool shots from a few weeks ago.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/10536110143_60e5f78bef_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10536110143/)
Blyth Harbour Pier (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10536110143/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

I like that. would make a nice windows wallpaper
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on October 29, 2013, 13:39:37 PM
I like that. would make a nice windows wallpaper

Thanks Egg!

This ones from some wire wooling a few weeks ago , just without the wirewool this time but next shot I edit is from the same spot but with some light painting etc.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/10555502586_6eafa53cb7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10555502586/)
Skeleton Roof (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10555502586/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 01, 2013, 13:23:34 PM
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/10608279246_170ac1cb41_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10608279246/)
Fire in the Disco (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10608279246/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 03, 2013, 11:58:45 AM
First decent shot with my new fisheye lens:

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/10644198153_cd3ccf5b5e_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10644198153/)
Fishy Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10644198153/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 07, 2013, 14:45:13 PM
Got round to editing a couple more from a few weeks ago:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/10725881596_796f931f08_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10725881596/)
Dancin' In The Moon Light (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10725881596/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 08, 2013, 14:40:37 PM
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/10742309344_06f7f8a265_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10742309344/)
Stars Above (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10742309344/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 18, 2013, 13:47:22 PM
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/10925531926_cd425609b6_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10925531926/)
Charlies Stack (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10925531926/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Bit of a naff sunrise on Sunday, but still got something
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on November 18, 2013, 15:53:31 PM
I'm still in the process of processing the photos from Antigua. Got a few good shots. In a slight bit of trouble with the GF as I have a lot more photos of lizards than I do of her.

I found it interesting that the light over there was much more variable than other "hot" places. Spain/Portugal I found I could fairly reliably sort out the exposure compensation etc at the start of a trip and not have to fiddle too much. In Antigua though I'd have to fiddle with it every few minutes!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 19, 2013, 14:00:48 PM
I'm still in the process of processing the photos from Antigua. Got a few good shots. In a slight bit of trouble with the GF as I have a lot more photos of lizards than I do of her.

I found it interesting that the light over there was much more variable than other "hot" places. Spain/Portugal I found I could fairly reliably sort out the exposure compensation etc at the start of a trip and not have to fiddle too much. In Antigua though I'd have to fiddle with it every few minutes!

Nowt worse that having to sort holiday photos, if you don't do it soon after you get back you forget where you were and what was in it.

I usually cheat when I'm on holiday and use aperture priority mode, let the camera worry about it rather than having to constantly change settings.  Having only really bean to Europe I can't say if it does change much but when you think of Spain etc it does seem to be a rather flat light, might be that Antigua is in such a position in the world that it is quite changeable not sure why it would be so but maybe its just a bit harsher so changes are more noticeable.

Old one from me, managed to find a slightly different way of editing photos thats managed to get good results from a few photos I originally thought weren't up to scratch, now I'll have to go through loads of photos and re-edit them doh!

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/10944316626_e28903b61f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10944316626/)
Kyleakin Harbour (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/10944316626/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on November 19, 2013, 17:46:54 PM
I tend to use aperture priority 90% of the time anyway :D That's what I meant about settings though, seemed something about the light made it a bit screwy even in Av.

What's the different way of editing photos you've discovered? I've started to experiment more with Dodging and Burning bits, as well as using Levels in Photoshop.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 20, 2013, 13:55:14 PM
I tend to use aperture priority 90% of the time anyway :D That's what I meant about settings though, seemed something about the light made it a bit screwy even in Av.

What's the different way of editing photos you've discovered? I've started to experiment more with Dodging and Burning bits, as well as using Levels in Photoshop.

Guess its nothing new as such, just more like I'm actually doing it properly lol!

I don't really do anything inside PS anymore, its all Camera Raw for everything except sharpening.  What I've started doing is (using a copy of CS6) setting the black and white sliders holding down alt so you can see when it starts to clip areas, as soon as it starts to clip I then use either the highlights or shadows sliders to pull the clipping back to a max of about 80-90 on either slider, if that doesn't stop it clipping I'll drop the black or white sliders a bit.  Then I'll go on to adjust contrast, clarity, vibrance and saturation and chances are I won't even touch the exposure slider.  Oh and also using the noise reduction to try and get rid of some noise, noticed after printing all my photos out on a printer at work they looked a little noisey, could just be down to the printer mind!

In the past I'd have probably tried to use the shadows and highlights to adjust the image an hardly touch the black and white sliders, guess its really just doing the same as levels inside PS but that extra you get from the highlights and shadows sliders makes a big difference.  If I need to do anything like dodging and burning I'll do it using the adjustment brush as that's no-destructive (I always try and edit no-destructively so I can go back without having to start again)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on November 20, 2013, 15:40:58 PM
Hmm, I'll have to give that a go, as well as the adjustment brush!

In the past I've tweaked maybe the blacks and fill light sliders, white balance, and detail sliders. Only just really started to try and use more of the sliders to get a better feel for things. Bit like HDR I guess where you start out setting everything to max for the biggest HDR impact, and then tone it back a bit so the HDR is more subtle.

Will make a new Antigua thread with a selection of the photos. Actually quite surprised with how well the GoPro worked snorkelling. If I'd have known I'd have left the waterproof housing for my compact at home. Only downside is I have about 3000 GoPro photos to trawl through for a few good shots (had it set to take a photo every 0.5s, rather than faffing with buttons)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 25, 2013, 22:44:17 PM
Hmm, I'll have to give that a go, as well as the adjustment brush!

In the past I've tweaked maybe the blacks and fill light sliders, white balance, and detail sliders. Only just really started to try and use more of the sliders to get a better feel for things. Bit like HDR I guess where you start out setting everything to max for the biggest HDR impact, and then tone it back a bit so the HDR is more subtle.

Will make a new Antigua thread with a selection of the photos. Actually quite surprised with how well the GoPro worked snorkelling. If I'd have known I'd have left the waterproof housing for my compact at home. Only downside is I have about 3000 GoPro photos to trawl through for a few good shots (had it set to take a photo every 0.5s, rather than faffing with buttons)

I've gone through a few photos over the weekend and its definetly making a difference to some, found a bunch more to upload just haven't had the chance.  This is very much like that, guess all it really involves is setting the black and white points properly, which is what you do with levels really, and then adjusting it to suit.

Never really had anything to do with GoPro's but they do seem to produce good results, just a tad expensive if I remember right, don't think I could justify buying one for anything, now one of these I think I could, especially with next months Christmas bonus:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bitbangerlabs/pixelstick-light-painting-evolved

hmm am slightly tempted...
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on November 26, 2013, 13:45:20 PM
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/11067224904_229cc9f627_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11067224904/)
Snot Rock (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11067224904/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

Another old one I didn't think much of first time around but re-edited over the weekend.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on December 11, 2013, 13:21:53 PM
Couple from a couple of weekends ago:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/11156439324_bc58f29594_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11156439324/)
Orange Dawn (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11156439324/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/11171662824_1b44fc819a_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11171662824/)
The Thin Orange Line (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11171662824/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/11227254133_fe2816027a_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11227254133/)
Sunrise in the Bay (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11227254133/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

And one I took a while ago but only got happy with the edit recently:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/11314505356_06cc5b4a41_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11314505356/)
Its My Canon And I'll Fire it If I Want Too (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11314505356/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on December 12, 2013, 11:17:29 AM
I love Sunrise in the bay. Looking at it though I can't tell if the horizon is level, or distorted? Went so far as to get a piece of paper and put it against the horizon. Do you use lens corrections in lightroom/photoshop? Really picking at nothing there, just trying to think of if there was anything that could be tweaked. It could also be an illusion caused by the clouds?
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: chrisdicko on December 12, 2013, 16:45:42 PM
They look like Whitby? Except for the gun one.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on December 12, 2013, 22:50:46 PM
They look like Whitby? Except for the gun one.

Not quite, they're all just at the coast from Newcastle at Tynemouth, haven't managed to get to Whitby for any photography yet, does seem to be popular with photographers seen some cracking photos from there.

I love Sunrise in the bay. Looking at it though I can't tell if the horizon is level, or distorted? Went so far as to get a piece of paper and put it against the horizon. Do you use lens corrections in lightroom/photoshop? Really picking at nothing there, just trying to think of if there was anything that could be tweaked. It could also be an illusion caused by the clouds?

Don't always use lens correction, sometimes it just spoils the look of the photo especially with the vignette that normally comes from using a few filters (I could put a false vignette on but it doesn't always look the same) but I've just checked and I did use it on that photo.  Just tried the old paper test myself and think its straight but could just be a tiny bit off quite hard to tell tbh, it could be the clouds though, that curve that's under neath the left hand side of the clouds could be making it look a little bit wonky, can't really correct that one though.

Trying to work out some sizes to get some photos printing out and its giving me a bit of a headache, want to get them to fit a mount and frame but trying to work out if I need to size the photo to leave a small margin around the photo so its doesn't get cropped by the mount is making my head hurt.  No where seems to actually tell you and it doesn't help that the mount sizes are all metric when the photos are all imperial and the two of them are different aspect ratios too doh.

And to top it off I've got to think if I should get myself one of these with my christmas bonus from work http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bitbangerlabs/pixelstick-light-painting-evolved they look great but might be a bit expensive.
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: zpyder on December 13, 2013, 10:44:25 AM
My next big spend might be a photo printer, not sure though as the ones I was looking at were ~£300-500. For what I want it's probably cheaper to just get the next 3 years worth of photos printed somewhere, unless I plan on framing lots and trying to sell them at a craft fair.

Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on December 13, 2013, 13:56:20 PM
My next big spend might be a photo printer, not sure though as the ones I was looking at were ~£300-500. For what I want it's probably cheaper to just get the next 3 years worth of photos printed somewhere, unless I plan on framing lots and trying to sell them at a craft fair.

If your going to be printing them to sell then your probably better off with getting them printed rather than buying a printer, I imagine that even for that sort of money the printers are good but expensive to run and if they go wrong they're expensive to service etc.  Have a look at http://www.dscolourlabs.co.uk/ they're incredibly cheap, a 12x8 print is 55p against photobox being £1.39.  That's who I'm going to use when I sort out sizing etc, lots of people seem to use them on talkphotography and always speak highly of the quality of the prints.

Ordered/kickstarted a pixelstick last night, lets hope they actually deliver!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: chrisdicko on December 13, 2013, 17:59:27 PM
The 2nd photo 'the thin orange line' looks very much like Whitby (I live there).

There has been some very nice photos taken of the area.  :thumbup:
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 13, 2014, 21:13:30 PM
Been a while since I've updated so here's a few from the last month or so, didn't get out as much as I wanted to over Christmas think I only managed one trip out and one since but now the weathers improved quite a bit I might get out a few times for the next few weeks hopefully.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/11369685224_511138f71e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11369685224/)
Monolith (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11369685224/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/11388773036_e5835362ef_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11388773036/)
The Mouth of the Tyne (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11388773036/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/11456933013_34069182c2_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11456933013/)
By the Pre Dawn Light (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11456933013/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/11482520713_191e997cd7_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11482520713/)
Whisps of a Pink Sunrise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11482520713/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/11622846316_7bfd001e49_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11622846316/)
Awakening (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11622846316/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/11894674194_4fb1b7d0ec_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11894674194/)
Morning Splash (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11894674194/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on January 13, 2014, 23:29:40 PM
I love the Monolith shot, if it was landscape it would make a brilliant desktop wallpaper. 8)
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on January 14, 2014, 20:58:36 PM
I love the Monolith shot, if it was landscape it would make a brilliant desktop wallpaper. 8)

Aye it would, might have a go and a landscape version next time I'm there, which is fairly regularly at the mo!
Title: Re: Some stuff from the weekend
Post by: Russell on February 20, 2014, 22:41:55 PM
Blimey got a few I need to post in here to get this thread up to date!

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/11970025453_7b05e26749_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11970025453/)
Facing Dawn (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/11970025453/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://s2.yimg.com/sm/5489/12056328096_dbfaf9b94e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12056328096/)
Craning About (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12056328096/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://ycpi-farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/12074791715_cbe1afe051_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12074791715/)
Fiends (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12074791715/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://v4s.yimg.com/sj/2875/12101716526_01eda5a2be_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12101716526/)
Burning Up the Tyne (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12101716526/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/12157185064_00687484ed_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12157185064/)
Double Spin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12157185064/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://v4s.yimg.com/sm/5474/12188462803_f63d1d5cdb_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12188462803/)
Stage Spin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12188462803/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://ycpi-farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/12226152363_d5422908b9_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12226152363/)
Setting the Stage Alight (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12226152363/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://ycpi-farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/12255523236_f47d777020_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12255523236/)
Soggy Boot Sunrise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12255523236/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://ycpi-farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/12287217986_483e741133_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12287217986/)
Round The Rugged Rock, The Ragged Rascal Ran (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12287217986/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://ycpi-farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/12507285083_df8f9e0de0_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12507285083/)
That Orange Glow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12507285083/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://v4s.yimg.com/sk/3774/12596511245_2f890c4d92_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12596511245/)
Smothered (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12596511245/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/12641837655_58bc2e9dc7_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12641837655/)
Awash (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellcram/12641837655/) by russellcram (http://www.flickr.com/people/russellcram/), on Flickr