Nikon Wednesday 2016: #8

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<p><strong><em>Important:</em></strong> please keep your image under 700 pixels on the longest side for in-line viewing, and <em><strong>please keep the FILE SIZE UNDER 300kb</strong></em>. Note that <strong>this includes photos hosted off-site</strong> (at Flickr, Photobucket, your own site, etc).<br /><br />Are you <strong>new to this thread?</strong> The general guidelines for these Wednesday threads are <strong><a href="/nikon-camera-forum/00W7km" rel="nofollow">right here</a></strong>:<a href="/nikon-camera-forum/00W7km" rel="nofollow">http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00W7km</a>. This forum's moderators are allowing up to three images per week, so share some work!</p>

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<p>Ah, February, when the new year's freshly sprouted German Shorthaired Pointer puppies reach that magic age of seven weeks, and become irresistibly photogenic. They are something of a challenge to wrangle, though, so getting their portraits is definitely a team sport. Two people is essential, and three is even better. I don't care what else I've got going on - when our friend the breeder has a litter at this age, we make some time, haul some studio gear to her living room, and have a go at it. Here, we have some simple lighting against a roll of seamless. The pups are lit with a single flash high and left and using a honeycomb to puddle the light, and then a second flash doing some gentle room bounce for just a bit of fill. Got any subjects that you simply can't resist? Share some photos on this fine Nikon Wednesday.</p><div></div>

<p>Same lighting, slightly different composition (it's a shame what the low-res forum image limitations and heavy handed server-induced JPG compression do to these - they're a lot more attractive seen properly, alas!).</p><div></div>

<p>And just for fun, a set shot.</p><div></div>

<p>Spring and puppies? Great photos Matt as always!. Sadly, I must present the other end of the spectrum - an older dog, now facing cancer. My best friend received the bad news a couple weeks ago. Suddenly, a lifetime in photos is reaching the endgame. 10.5 years. It's sad that such a beloved breed as the golden retriever has such an Achilles' heel.</p><div></div>

<p>Just got back to frigid Vermont from sunny Belize. No puppies, but how about a spider monkey?</p><div></div>

<p>Taken out the window of the bus</p><div></div>

<p>Nice place. The Cayes are magical.</p><div></div>

<p>Well I can't resist glancing light over our mountains (but it's not as cute as puppies)</p><div></div>

<p>Here are a couple from this week. Nikon Df with Nikon 300mm F4 (Hawk) and Voigtlander 125mm SL (Christmas cactus)</p><div></div>

<p>#2</p><div></div>

<p>#3</p><div></div>

<p>Lurking in the woods</p><div></div>

<p>Skating last night under moonlight</p><div></div>

<p>Hospital windows </p><div></div>

<p>We're having a "warm" Feb here in St. Paul, MN. Last week it was raining instead of snowing. I got these shots of the kitchen window screen with raindrops. </p><div></div>

<p>cropped to see the drops better</p><div></div>

<p>Gup reflected (just barely) in the eye of a Capuchin monkey. We were both stretched out facing each other on a trail side railing.<br>

This is a full crop at ISO 3200 with a D800E.</p><div></div>

<p>From my one experience helping out with a breeding a few years ago</p><div></div>

<p>Last Week</p><div></div>

<p>I love my 50mm f1.4 ais nikkor lens. The only problem is focusing it manually with a DSLR. My D7100 has been harder to focus this lens than my D70 or D80. Nevertheless, I was playing around with the diopter on the camera and low and behold with just the right adjustment I am nailing the focus about as well as my AF 50 1.8 D lens! Here's a shot of Gus, focused on his eyes at f2.</p><div></div>

<p>Steve, I totally agree with you that the 50/1.4 AIS is a gem. I've had the 50/1.8D, and although it performed quite well, the 1.4 however is better, particularly at F2.0 through F8. No need for AF or VR (here). OK, this is coming from someone who never liked anything close to "normal" lens....and intend to keep this one.</p>

<p>This was shot near Great Wall (China) at jade factory. This guy was carving "inner globe" (for lack of proper description) in jade. The aperture was @ F2.8. The second shot is a crop of the first. Handheld and from behind a glass.</p>

<p>Les</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>...</p><div></div>

<p>Great shots of animals this week. Alas, I only have a landscape today.</p><div></div>

<p>One of the local critters coming up to our deck buffet for dinner. Hunger conquers all, our 3 cats are not more than 4 feet away (inside) poised to pounce.</p>

<p>D4+AF-S 70-200 @ 200mm (or is it 135mm with breathing?)</p><div></div>

<p>These are some portraits I shot of my Dad who turns 90 next month. I dedicated the shoot to his devotion to his ministry.</p><div></div>