prestons realm

<p>"I was told you should turn your camera off when changing lenses because having the camera on gives the sensor a static charge that attracts dust. Is this wrong?"<br>

Back when I first starting using Digital SLR's - I was instructed by the Canon Rep to always turn off the camera before changing lenses, also I believe it says it somewhere in one of the manuals for the Camera - just for the same reason. Dust will accumulate, especially in high dust/dirt area's. Beaches, deserts and even forest have lots of particles floating around.</p>

<p>The reason I brought up this topic was in fact the last time I visited a barnes and noble I didn't find too many photography books. Table top or otherwise. Some travel and then of course Ansel Adams. Other then that most of the shelves that used to be covered in Photography books are now filled with "how to" books.<br>

As far as paying to visit a site, absolutely. I have a membership at this site not because I like the option of posting my work, but it's a well done site with a wide variety of different artist and styles. So that would be a yes.<br>

In my library I like to have different photography books in print, if just for reference they are good to have and enjoy. I have a few magazine's that I subscribe to but not all of them for the photography, some for the articles. lol</p>

<p>Back when I was young, I used to buy books to see such beautiful images that I see here on photo.net.<br>

I wonder how many artists are unable to profit because they use websites like photo.net and others to post thier images instead of getting published in print like the old days?<br>

I'm not attacking this website by no means. I love coming here after my morning workout to just sit back, relax and enjoy pictures and art from all over the world. But it's basically for free.<br>

Thanks to photo.net - But if there were a section for photog's published works I would definately endulge their too.<br>

R. Preston</p>

<p>David Talmage - I've been faking it with a 135mm lens and extension tubes and getting ok results. I don't have a dedicated macro lens, so I think it's time.<br>

At this point I will probably get the 60mm lens, however I do want that 100mm.</p>

<p>Thanks to all for the great words of wisdom. I do appreciate it. ;)</p>

<p>I really don't have any good advice to give here, however I use a 3 hard drive back up system.<br>

one is backed up right on my pc<br>

2nd is a back up in house on a removable drive<br>

and the last was at my nieghbors house for my "off site" backups.<br>

Well I forget the name of the software I was using, but I had all three drives plugged in and had everything set and all I had to do was press a button and get all my drives sinked. I stepped away to grab a cup of coffee and when I returned I found my cat sitting on my keyboard. The result was desaterous. In the five minutes I was gone all three drives were wiped and I lost 10 years of images.<br>

In the end I was able to get one drive back after paying a company to retrieve the data $500. Get off site back up anyway you can and don't be shy on spending a bit of cash for good service.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the great advice - I've been looking up prices and reading reviews all day. Basically I'm down to the following lenses.<br>

Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro - $529 - no IS though - but tripod ready. lol<br>

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro - $422<br>

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS - $1000<br>

Prices are B&H - I haven't price shopped yet, but plan too once I decide on which best fits my needs. I like the IS option, however I own a really good tripod and think I can make due for a little while. Also a thought I could buy the two top lenses for the price of the IS one. But no need to have too many macro lenses? Is there a benefit from having a 100 mm and a 60 mm lens?<br>

And oh, thanks for all the great words of wisdom. I do really appreciate it.</p>

<p>I shoot in studio and out doors. I prefer a lens that can shoot in low light as well as handle studio lighting. I photograph flowers and such (no bugs) so distance isn't an issue. <br>

I'm in need of a decent macro lens that isn't going to break the bank. I don't have a large budget to work with, but would like to get up and close with my images.<br>

I use Canon, by the way. Should mention that.<br>

All advice is apprciated.<br>

R. Preston</p>

<p>Sadly not that rural - There area I live in has a rich history of cattle runs and horse training but developement of the surrounding area's has sucked up all the property and now it's just homes.<br>

Any horse or cattle I find are surrounded by fence lines. Which ruins the pics in my opinion. I live near Fort Hood so I've been throwing around an idea for a portrait for soldiers theme. Free of couse, but I'm trying to think up a twist to it to make it unique.</p>

<p>Thanks Karlsson - I will email you if I have any questions.<br>

Charity work - There's an Idea. I've done charity work in the past, but it's been a while.</p>

<p>The only money I've ever made was from doing the shoot, never anything from the tfcd's. I've thought about trying to posterize some of them, but don't know if they are good enough.<br>

Thanks, stock photography is a lot of work and effort. Good money too if you are good enough at it. Not really why I shoot though. I'm looking for something new, rocks, flowers, people, sun rises and sunsets just aren't cutting it for me anymore.</p>

<p>I live in a rural part of Texas. I've walked around and taken all the scenery images I can handle. I've dobbled in portraiture, macro and floral. I don't have the lenses to do sports.<br>

I love shooting but I'm needing some insperation to keep shooting. Portraits are fun, but because I work out of my home, bringing people in for these photo sessions is painful for the rest of the family. Plus to top it off I'm a disabled vet. If I take Portrait, or portfolio shoots outside I need help carrying the extra equipment, ie; reflectors, lights and so forth.<br>

Please send me some idea's, topics to shoot. It's cold and fixing to miserable this next week. What to do?</p>

<p>Wow, I'd like to start my travel in Amersterdam and photograph the canals and unique building structures, then head south threw Europe and capturing everything from floral, macro photographs to working with the exotic models of Europe. I've always been fascinated with the continent and beauty of the countryside. From mustard farms of southern Germany to the profound Black forest. Europe is absolutely beautiful in the winter time.<br>

I'd prefer winter and spring for my Scenic photography and then end my trip in the South of France, Cannes or Nice to work with the talented and beautiful models and beaches with the glorious sunsets. Also heading east toward Italy to capture the unique architecture of the sunny countryside and small villages and alluring charm of the unique floral settings surrounding them.<br>

The best thing about this trip is I don't need a large kit to work with. Camera's with just a few select lenses and accessories, reflectors, tripod and maybe lights if I were to work with models. I'm used to working with what I have, so asking me to pick from a closet full of equipment would probably overwhelm me.<br>

Ah... but c'est la vie.. it's just a dream.<br>

R. Preston </p>

<p>Wow, I'd like to start my travel in Amersterdam and photograph the canals and unique building structures, then head south threw Europe and capturing everything from floral, macro photographs to working with the exotic models of Europe. I've always been fascinated with the continent and beauty of the countryside. From mustard farms of southern Germany to the profound Black forest. Europe is absolutely beautiful in the winter time.<br>

I'd prefer winter and spring for my Scenic photography and then end my trip in the South of France, Cannes or Nice to work with the talented and beautiful models and beaches with the glorious sunsets. Also heading east toward Italy to capture the unique architecture of the sunny countryside and small villages and alluring charm of the unique floral settings surrounding them.<br>

The best thing about this trip is I don't need a large kit to work with. Camera's with just a few select lenses and accessories, reflectors, tripod and maybe lights if I were to work with models. I'm used to working with what I have, so asking me to pick from a closet full of equipment would probably overwhelm me.<br>

Ah... but c'est la vie.. it's just a dream.<br>

R. Preston </p>