bob_bicknell

<p>It has been longer than I dare t admit since I've been in Rangeley but it is beautiful country.<br>

You might try Sunset shots from the edge of the lake (Mooslookmeguntic) in Mooselookmeguntic (go through Oquossoc on the west side of Rangeley lake) or .. up on Rte 17 at height-of-land (near where the AT crosses Rte 17) Might be moose. Great views over Mooslookmeguntic and Richardson Lakes. There used to be some Osprey around Rangeley state park <br>

I'd guess you are taking Rte 16 east from Rangeley - it is (was) a slow road .. lot of photo possibilites.. go up Rte 27 around Bigelow .. I have stayed at a campground on Flagstaff lake that was plaeasnt - my site faced north - sidelit sunrise or sunset <br>

Up Rte 27 along te "Arnold Trail" might be interesting.<br>

One thing to watch for - that we don't see much anymore - is wash hanging on clotheslines. Not something one thinks of very much until one has driven past .<br>

The back side of Moosehead lake above Greenville might have some decent views if you get that far east - Mt Kineo etc and up into Seboomoc <br>

Watch out for logging trucks on the backroads - they always have the right-of-way , even when they don't. <br>

Enjoy and take lots of photos. <br>

Bob </p>

<p>Hi<br>

I will be heading to Acadia on the 11th or 12th of October for a few days. On the way I am thinking of making a detour onto Blue Hill peninsula with the intent of getting some photos in the vicinity of Caterpillar Hill and the blueberry barrens.<br>

Would anyone be able to give me an idea as to how the color on the blueberry barrens might be? Are these colors in sync with the other foliage or do the blueberry bushes turn red later in the season?<br>

Can you also suggest any other spots for autumn photos on Blue Hill? I've never stopped there before so this peninsula is new to me.<br>

Thanks<br>

Bob Bicknell</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thursday and Friday October 1 & 2.<br>

White Mountains of NH Foliage<br>

Really nice color on the Kankamagus as well as Crawford and Pinkham Notches! Snow on the Presidentials (now likely washed off in the rain). Perhaps the best "early color" for the first weekend in October that I've seen in close to 10 years. Foliage is shaping up to be a very good year . Minimal leef drop so far. No telling what the rain will do<br>

Streams are looking resonably good and with today's rain should be even better. Reflections on the Swift river at Rocky Gorge and Lower Falls is good. Trees around Albany Bridge still kind of green<br>

South of Conway NH (Chocorua /Tamworth/Eaton etc) mostly swamp maples are in color so they have a ways to go. </p>

<p>I'm not sure I'd blame the scanning. It may well be the processing itself.<br>

Earlier this year, after years of shootig E6 (velvia and provia) I began expirimenting with C41 color (Ektar 100, Realla, Portra VC and Kodak Gold 100). I was having the film developed at the local CVS (nearby and cheap) and scanning the resulting negatives. I started seeing some very "strange" results.<br>

Some colors were spot on perfect while others were downright stange. How about a yellow coreopsis against a blue background. Except that the background was really an out of focus brown/green.<br>

Then green foliage on flowers being an emerald green. Shooting a barn acoss a green pasture seemed overexposed and the grass just too green. (not fuji green, but wizard of oz emerald city green)<br>

So was it me, was it my scanner, the camera, was it bad film etc etc etc?. So I went on a spree one day and interspersed a roll of Ektar, a roll of provia and a roll of PortraVS . Had the C41 processd at CVS and the E6 at my local semipro lab. Voila !!! The E6 was spot on but the C41 was still weird. Note the C41 was consistent on a roll by roll basis<br>

I then dug out some 10-12 year old C41 (Kodak Gold) negatives. The prints and negatives are kept in binders out of the light in archival sleeves. Again Voila ! The negatives scanned beautifully.<br>

So ruled out the camera and the scanner.<br>

Then shot a couple more rolls of C41 and took these to the semipro lab. Oy ! Perfect!!!!!!<br>

The folks at CVS are nice people and take what they do seriously and are concientious so I had a couple of casual conversations with them. They check the chemicals at least daily and check all the settings on the machine so they are "what they are supposed to be" The only conclusion I can draw is that the machine at CVS is set to process C41 100asa (or 160 ASA) at what is effectively a couple of stops overexposed and then the printing "fixes this" . Note: A casual shooter might well just balme the strange colors on themselves and let it go.<br>

Anyway, I'm now having all my C41 done by same semipro lab that does my E6 and I'm reall happy with the resilts.<br>

And after all this testing I'm beginning to think the Kodak Gold 100 (disappearing fast) might actually be a good deal. Sharm, little grain and decent color pallete<br>

Sorry for being so windy, but if you can get a friend to scan the negatives you might find it is the processing rather than the scanning that is the cause of the color shifts.<br>

Best regards<br>

Bob Bicknell</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.<br>

I'm going to give B&H a jingle and have then ship me some Ektar 100. See if I can find that Ektar rebate on the Kodak site also..<br>

Going to seem funny going back to the yellow box after all these years. I'm looking forward to the good dynamic range also. (I just scanned some images taken on Gold 100 about 10-12 years ago and the range is pretty nice) . Andrew, thanks for sharing your images. I'm hoping to get into Boston in a couple of weeks. Just have not had the time so far.<br>

This is almost getting exciting, now if I can just improve my composition I should be all set.<br>

btw.. my current images are up on my website at <a href="http://robertbicknellphoto.com">http://robertbicknellphoto.com</a><br>

Again, thanks everyone.<br>

Bob</p>

<p>Hi<br>

I've been shooting 35mm E6 film (Provia 100F, Velvia 50 etc) for several years now. I scan the slides on a Coolscan IV and print on an Epson 2400. I shoot mostly lanscapes / scenic / nature here in New England.<br>

I'm very happy with the results. Not quite ready for digital SLR . Waiting for the Nikon D4 or D800 and to hit the lottery.<br>

As E6 becomes more costly and processing turnaround longer and longer I'm serouisly considering switching to C41 color negatives.<br>

Processing cost is substantially lower than E6, turnaround pretty quick as C41 is still ubiquitous and I no longer "need " slides as my photo club is all digital. (Well I am too, once I get past image capture).Also figuring that the greater dynamic range of negative film might be interesting.<br>

Anyway are there any suggestions for 100 ASA (ISO to you youngins) C41 color negative fillm?<br>

It is important that the whites be white (not magenta / pink) and slower speed for shooting moving water. I do little to no portrait so skin tones are not an issue.<br>

Considering the new Ektar 100 and Fujicolor Realla. Might consider Kodak Portra VC or the Fuji equivalent but would prefer to stick with 100 ASA. Are there others worth considering?<br>

Thanks very much for any suggestions and comments. (I've also looked at some of the older threads)<br>

Best regards<br>

Bob</p>

<p>What Edward said, and what a host of " biggies " say. Get it "right" the first time and in the camera.<br>

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.<br>

Bob</p>

<p>Earlier this year I was selling my photos and note cards at an art/craft fair. A potential cusomer was examining some images of July 4th fireworks, asked how I took these photos and commented that their fireworks photos had wavy lines and zig-zaggy streaks of light. I indicated that I used a tripod to steady the camera for the long exposures and inquired if they used one. "Oh, no" said the person with great conviction , " I have a fireworks setting on my camera, I don't need a tripod".<br>

It just wasn't worth trying to explain.<br>

Bob</p>

<p> </p>

Tripod?

Always!

I shoot a lot of landscape and water with Provia 100F or Velvia 50.

Always have a quick-release plate on my F100 and my 80-200 so it is a no brainer.

On the extremely rare occasions I hand-hold my camera I have to remind myself to use faster shutter speeds and

wider apertures.

Bob

John

I have the Nikon 80-200 f2.8 77mm. Still shooting film with F100 and N90S.

I have the 5T and 6T (62mm) as well as Canon 500D (77mm)

My experience is that with the step-down from 77mm to 62mm you WILL have vignetting, but not all the time and

varying in intensity depending on the light on a full frame camera. It will of course be worst when you want it least.

Can't say what will happen on a DX body.

I now use the 77mm 500D for getting in close and am very happy with the results. Not 1:1 but close.

Have you considered a second hand Nikkor lens?

You may be able to have your cake and eat it. You may be able to find something at a price that will allow you to

purchase a new 500D or perhaps a Nikkor that fits the 5T & 6T. Check out KEH . I've had good luck with them.

Hope this helps.

Bob

I was in mid-state New Hampshire today, at Canterbury Shaker Village then up to Laconia / Tilton and finally at Plymouth NH. Foliage was definitely at peak.

A lot of blue sky, vibrant reds and yellows. A few minutes ago I was at a local millpond in Westford, MA and the yellows and reds along the waters edge and their reflections were supurb.

Good luck and good light

Bob

The Cape Ann area of MA (Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich) is still very green as of this morning 10/07.

A couple of weeks to go yet.

The area around Concord MA along the Concord, Assabet and Sudbury rivers is beginning to develop color. Many of the swamp maples have already blazed and are fading. Overall should start looking really nice next week.

At Great Meadows in Concord, one side with a lot of swamp maples is in color while another side with a lot of oak is still green.

I was on the Kankamagus as well as through Crawford and Franconia Notches today

Above the notches is at/past peak as is the K at Kankamagus Pass (at 3000ft)

(some trees are crinkling and many birches are now bare yet some are still green )

Lots of "ruddy" reds but not as much blazing scarlet. Still really nice.

Downslope still a lot of deciduous green (oak and ash) so lots of color to go yet.

(did not visit Mt Washington Valley or Pinkham notch)

Water is kind of high and Silver Cascade in Crawford Notch is the best it has been in a long time.

Swift river on the Kank has nice riffles and color (a 2 stop solid ND is helpful)

Lily Pond on the Kank is up by as much as a foot - the big boulder is barely visible - nice view in ealy light.

(Small bull moose splashing around in the deep shadows)

Snow on Mt Washington but it was in the clouds.

Snow on Mt Lafayette visible from the Hugh Galen view point/bridge above Franconia notch. on the bike path.

(I'll bet the view from Sugar Hill would have been super)

I was told that Rte 153 south of Conway is "best in years"

Based on this I would guess Chocorua Lake area still has a lot of color left.

In fact I'm going back next week so hope no big rain knocks it down.

Regards

Bob

In days of yore "record shot" was almost an epithet when issued by a judge in a competition. Almost a "g'way kid, you bother me"

I remember NECCC circuit competitions where the judge's only comment was the two dreaded words "record shot" and then he/she proceeded to the next entry.

Today the judges are a bit kinder and say things such as "this image would be wonderful in a travelogue.

This might be a fun competition if taken in the right frame of mind.

Sort of trying to see just how bad you can be.

Regards

Bob

I purchased an F100 in EX or EX+ condition from KEH earlier this year. This replaced a 12 yr old N90S that I'm loaning to my son.

It is a super camera and an excellent deal from KEH. They are great people to deal with. Get the F100 rather than the N90S as it will handle some of the newer lenses that the N90S will not. (and you can buy these used from KEH with confidence also). The way I figure it, buy new from B&H and used from KEH.

Go for it and best of luck.

Bob

Jim

Whoops - I stand corrected. Sorry about that.

Completely forgot about the Lynn Marsh Road / Gen Edwards bridge area.

Did a little googling on Saugus River and came up with the

Saugus Watershed Council web site.

This area has come a long way and may be worth visiting.

Regards

Bob

Saugus Lobster Fleet?

Nice joke

If this is the same Saugus I'm familiar with it is the home of the late "Adventure Car Hop" of Arnie Ginzburg fame on US Rte 1 and landlocked.

The other harbors are, however, definitely worth the visit.

In Newburyport check out Plum Island, Maudsley State Park and the "Chain Bridge" on the Merrimack.

Good luck

Bob

If past years are any indication Oct 4 thru 7 should be generally good for your trip to the White Mountains.

You will likely find that the Mt. Washington Valley , of which Noth Conway is a part, may be a little behind or late however.

The equipment you describe will be excellent, with tripod. Velvia will be excellent also. Bring a polarizer and sun shade also.

A split ND might be helpful.

You will have boundless opportunities for photos.

Lots of tourist maps and documentation when you get there.

The MountainEar newspaper has a lot of info as do the freebees

Some suggestons: North on Rte 16 - Jackson NH has a covered bridge as well as a cascade/waterfall, Jackson Falls and a scenic loop (Rte 16 B if I remeber correctly) with great views of Mt Washington.

Continue north on Rte 16 up into Pinkham Notch. You will be able to visit Glen Ellis falls (about one quarter mile walk on a graded path) on the Ellis river.

Just north of Glen Ellis, still on Rte 16 is an Appalachian Mtn Club

facility. There are numerous trails in the area. Decent footware is suggested. You can walk up to Crystal Cascade on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail (24mm helpful as is an overcast day) It is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile - although this is a wide trail (a sno cat trail in winter, the treadway is a bit rougher than Glen Ellis. As suggested in an earlier post an AMC guidebook might be helpful (although it is now closer to $25 ) The people at the AMC camp will be most helpful.

The foliage Noth of Pinkham Notch (or north of any of the other Notches also - Crawford and Franconia) is likely to be peaking during the time you are there. There may even be rime/snow on the higher summits.

Consider a drive north from Pinkham to the Shelburne Birches on Rte 2 east of Gorham or even further noth to the Androscoggin river and 13 Mile Woods - you may see some moose.

Another trip out of North Conway is up Rte 302 to Crawford Notch.

Great views along the way. There are cascades mentioned above.

Consider a loop drive from Borth Conway through Crawford notch over to Franconia Notch (try to catch the views from Sunset Drive in Sugar Hill while there)down to North Woodstock and Lincoln then back east on Rte 112 (The Kankamagus Highway) Numerous sights along the way. (Sunrise from the height-of-land on the Kankamagus is usually worthwhile) see Sabaday falls as well as the Albany Covered Bridge and two more covered bridges on West Side Rd and East Side Rd in Conway.

On West Side Rd some of the farms are very photogenic in the morning

as is Diana's Bath (a short walk on a well maintained trail).

I've been hanging out up in the North Conway area for many years and still find new things to see and photograph.

I hope you have an excellent trip, it is a beautiful area.

Best regards

Bob

Hi

I'm contemplating a drive up to Acadia NP this October (no set dates as yet)

and would hope I can hit decent foliage (yes, I know this is an inexact

science). Since Acadia is on the coast I'm guessing the foliage is a bit later

than inland such as over in the White Mtns of NH or Baxter SP in ME.

(I'm a "regular" in northern NH from late Sept on)

Any sugestions as a good time to be there and is my assumption correct?

If there is a lag between inland and the coast how much is there

Thanks

Bob

Try the printer rather than "same as source"

Aslo in the setup boxes check "advanced" and set ICM (I think)

The idea is to let the priner drivers do the driving

Bob

Jerry

You should be able to create a "user defined" paper size.

I've done this successfully for both my 785EPX and now my R2400.

In Elements 3 I go to Print then select printer and find the window where you choose paper size.

Go to the bottom and you should see "user defined" select this and it should allow you to create a custom form.

save this and use with the desired paper.

I do not yet have any experience feeding paper through the back of the R2400 so I can't say how the smaller paper will feed.

Good luck

Bob

Hi Elaine

When you print look at the "print preview" screen check the print space (I think) on the bottom.

In here I would normally specify the printer or printer and paper.

Used to have a 785EPX and if this was not specified properly prints were horrible. I have r2400 now and screen is a bit different but same rules apply.

Hope this helps.

Bob

Hope this helps

David

I can't answer your question directly, but I've found it a lot easier to separate the scanning funcion from the photoshop function.

I scan my negatives and slides first (in my case using

Nikonscan) and then do the Elements work after I'm done scanning.

If I have an issue I can then more easily identify the component that is giving me the trouble.

Best regards

Bob

Scott

I think this is more of an XP issue on how one shares the system and organizes ones files rather than an Elements issue.

In any case why not set up a differemt set of folders for each of you and get away from the "Myxxx " folders entirely.

From a systems administration perspective there will never be any question of what goes where.

I tend to avoid the "MYxxx" folders like the plague.

This works very well in my house and three of us share ONE userid

and and many different software packages.

Hope this helps

Bob

First of all thank you all for the responses.

So much paper .. so little time .. er .. money..

I had forgotten about the sample packs of paper so I will definitely investigate. Darned if I hadn't forgotten how many papers are available.

In the short term I'm going to get a pack of Enhanced Matte just to get going and maybe slip in a pack of Epson Watercolor. These seem to be a known quantity. Then I will start on the sample packs.

Maybe Christmas will bring a pack of the Ultra Smooth Fine Art, it looks interesting.

Again thanks to all.

Bob