jim_bridges2

I have loved being in the outdoors for over forty years. First as a angler/hunter, and now as a photographer.

I'm luckly enough to have a five thousand acre state park thirty minutes from my home. I can't think of a thing that is more relaxing than walking in the forest, a field of wildflowers, or by one of the small lakes in the area. The forest scenery, smells, and sounds of the birds, and other wildlife are the reasons I'm there almost every weekend.

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I can only capture the scenery with my camera equipment, but the smells, and sounds also replay in my mind when I view the slides days, or even years later. The reason I do outdoor/nature photography? Because when I can't go out because of the weather, or other reasons, I can get the light table out and relive those peaceful walks, and it makes me feel great.

I use the 8008s and AF105/2.8 D Micro lens for my macro photography in the past three years. I love to work with the natural light, but

I have been considering the use of a flash on some subjects. I have been looking into the SB 27 Nikon flash. Does anyone have experience with this flash unit in macro photography? The compact size, and the functions of this unit are the main attractions to me. Any other recommendations are welcome.

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Thanks in advance for any advise,

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Jim.

I have been in outdoor photography for 4 years, so I'm only going to reply about my slides of the last 2 years, or so. The first 2 years I was doing lots of testing of the equipment, technique, and just how everything worked. The love of the outdoors is what got me into this crazy hobby. It was a way to keep the memories of what I see when I'm out stomping around in the forest. Seems the more I do it, the better I get at it.<G>

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When I'm shooting wading birds and wildlife in the early morning light, or on overcast days is when about half the roll is going in the trash. I use a Nikkor 75-300/4.5-5.6 (TC-201 sometimes) that is my bird and wildlife lens. The ratio is about 5-6 goods and 10 ok's per roll. I have 5 of what "I" consider greats in the past 2 years on these subjects. I'm sure a great big out of my price range 300/2.8 would help this ratio.

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Now, as far as landscapes scenic, and macro photography I can be very selective about what I want to shoot and how I want to shoot it. These subjects aren't going to be moving their little heads around, and I can shoot them any way I like, and they won't fly off, or run to the next county in fear. I'll get mostly goods with 1 or 2 greats per roll. Control helps the "keeper ratio" on these subjects! Operator error still gets a few frames, but less now than a few years ago.

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I have never been to a workshop. I would like to watch one of the guys at work sometimes, just to check his style. I think a "one person" workshop would be about the cost of that "out of my price range 300/2.8 lens", and I think that's the only way I'd want to do a workshop with one of the masters. I don't think that they work much different than experienced outdoor photographers, it's just that they have more time and equipment available (it's a job to them).

I'm looking for good places to photograph in the

Florida Keys area. This will be my first trip to

the Keys. Plan on being there for three days the

middle of this month.

Thanks for your help

Jim.