dave_dise1

<p>For the last 2 days any critiques of images I write do not post after I confirm them. I have been posting and critiqueing for 7 years and this has never happened to me. Does anyone have any suggestions.</p>

<p>I am just an amateur, hobbyist photographer. I am, however, serious about trying to improve and broaden my abilities. I do not intent to sell - just enjoy the adventure in retirement. I do not just want to share photos. I want to use the experience to learn.<br>

<em><strong>My question is what sites offer good opportunities to have productive photo critique interchange?</strong></em><br>

<em><strong>Are there any good photo critique groups that are on the internet?</strong></em><br>

I am willing to share any opinions I have as well as receive honest feedback as opposed to all pats on the back.<br>

Thanks for your responses.</p>

<p>I am a novice at both photography and art. In fact I am very analytical as opposed to arty. I think of art in two ways; first more like artisan and second more like creative. When I look at a piece of fine furniture I can appreciate the fine artisan look and technique applied. I see the overall structure for its shape and composition of all the individual elements. I see how well the joints are made or hidden. When I look at a pic, I see what elements the photographer chose to include and exclude and how each element is placed and each relates to the others. There is a craft to composing a photograph whether made in a studio or seen in nature and captured.</p>

<p>There is also craft in using light, focus, DOF etc to create a feel or lead a viewer to the intended subject. The craft of photography has been captured in “rules” of what works – where you place a horizon, how to use lines etc. A photographer can analytically apply all these rules to help make some very interesting and pleasing photos. But it takes more than that for viewers to want to look at a pic. There is a human response to a photo that has been studied but I doubt ever fully understood. And in that sense creating such a photo is still an art. So to create a photo others want to view takes craft as well as applying something we can not yet fully analyze which we call art.</p>

<p>When someone produces a photo that is unique – never seen before, there is some level of creative artistry being applied. That is another level of art. Seeing something in your mind that you have never seen before is a form of art. Or seeing an aspect in nature you have not seen others capture is likewise artful.</p>

<p>There is still another level of art that is way out of my league. Creating that something that evokes a desired, strong, human response. To make another angry, or to make another rethink a position, or to make another see an idea for the first time is also art. Exploring the human condition via photography is a form of art which IMO fits this category. We all know a photo can just document some aspect of life. We also know there are photos that impact us with such strength that we change our thinking. I think we think of the latter as art and former as just another well crafted photo.</p>

<p>As I said, I am a beginner in photography and a neophyte when it comes to understanding art. I just thought you may be interested in the perspective of someone at this level. Take it for what it is worth. I will close just by saying I really enjoy these discussions and enjoy seeing both the photographic craft and art on PN.</p>

<p>I need some help with some real basics in this comparing the 70-300 f4-5.6 with the 300 f4. I understand at 300mm the 70 -300 is an f5.6 whereas the 300 is an f4. I also understand that the f4 provides more light to the sensor than f5.6.<br>

WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW THAT REALLY IMPACTS A SHOT. Does that just mean I am limited to having to use slower shutter speeds for the same light or is there also impact on sharpness, contrast, IQ (which I really don't understand) etc? If only slower shutter speeds, then does that mean with good light I can get the same quality photo with either lens as long as I can be as steady with either one or use a tripod.<br>

Thanks for helping untangle some technical stuff here.</p>

<p>These are very helpful inputs from everyone. I should have mentioned budget from the start. I can go to $2000. I prefer new could consider used for a significant improvement. Thanks Dave Dise</p>

<p>I own a Canon 7d and have an EF 70 -300mm 1:4-5.6 IS USM ZOOM. I take wildlife and bird photos with it usually. I hike with it in my back pack until I reach a good location then pull it out to "hunt". I have a Benro tripod I also carry and use when I find a spot an animal favors enough for me to set up. I also have a 1.4 and a 2 extender.<br>

I want to upgrade my lens to get better quality long distance close ups of these birds and animals. I don't know much about equipment or lenses and would appreciate some pointers on possible upgrades. Thanks Dave Dise</p>

<p>My Antelope Canyon Photo Tour guide suggested going to the far end of the canyon and work back to the entrance in order to avoid the non-photographer tourists. I found the tip very accurate. The 2 hour tour is adequate time - the 1 hour is rushed. In the upper canyon be sure to find 2 formations: the bear and the cardinal as they made for my most interesting shots. Look up while in the canyon as there are interesting formations around the openings up top. You have to work angles in these shots in order to avoid shooting right into the bright sky.</p>

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<p>Great info from all of you. Many thanks. This is one of the nicest things about PN, the people who help make a trip like this the best possible photo experience!<br>

Dave</p>

<p>I am going to the San Luis Obispo area for a week over Xmas. Interested in finding good locations for all wildlife (birds, seals, tidal pool inhabitants etc) for photos. I hear Morrow Bay is very good. I will also be as far south as Solvang and Santa Barbara.<br>

Thanks for any good ideas - Dave</p>

<p>Alan, Fernando, Ronald, Bob, and Jamie - thank you very much for taking time to share your experiences with TCs.<br>

Does the Tamron easily mount or are there tricks needed?<br>

Does the Tamron significantly degrade auto focus or is there a trick to tell the 50d to focus with the Tamrom mounted?<br>

When mounted does the Tamron hit the lens glass when the zoom ring is not extened as Fernando experieced with the Sigma?<br>

Again, thanks to all for the help - Dave</p>

<p>I hike alot with my camera equipment. I chose the 70-300 as my telephoto for hiking. I am investigating adding a teleconverter to the hiking gear.<br>

I carry a wide angle for the landscapes and the telephoto for birds and other wildlife as well as far away objects like old mine remains etc.<br>

From many other postings I decided to look at the 1.4x not the 2x. I am not a practiced manual focuser and would find that a real problem. I can live with some reduced quality for the few shots for which I would use the TC.<br>

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Since Canon does not make a TC for this lens, any 3rd party TC's you think I might want to consider for my needs would also be greatly appreciated (Tamron, Sigma, ...)</p>

Best close up I could get with wind.

I was out today near Phoenix. To windy for good close up but here is a field of wildflowers. Happy shooting, Dave

Greg, I've wondered why my hummer shots seem to yellow at times. Note attachment above. I like Chareles' solution. I'm going to give it try.

Bruce, I've been able to shot hummers with flash at a feeder they are very used to. After several days of going out while they are there and showing no intent of harm, they either ignore me or come up to my face to check me out. After that I can take shots all day without any reaction. Happy shooting, Dave

This might help to see how it works

Ann, I bought a field scope just a few months ago - specifically to take shots of birds, animals, and landscapes. I use two tripods. One for hiking that is light and compact. The other is heavy and sturdy. I get better results with the heavier more stable tripod. But I can get places with the light one I just would not take the heavy one. I use a universal adapter. It is easy to use and is easily removed - one hand screw and off it goes. It also allows me to tip the camera to either get a level shot or to play with angles. They come to fit a range of scope eyepieces. Mine has a frame that can fit over 65mm and can screw down to 43mm. Ths camera just threads onto an adjustable plate. I can move the camera back and forth to get it up to the eyepiece snuggly. I find this adapter to be stable and does not hinder shooting. I also use a simple pocket size point and shoot digital camera. Good for hiking. I will buy a regular DSLR after I get better at photography. By then I will have optionons about what to gt. I used an Olumpus OM1 film camera for years. I have had to make sure I place the adapter correctly, or I am not able to zoom my scope. I also find it hard to get good focus through the camera at times. I have not solved that problem yet. Let me know what you decide as it might help me when I want to buy the DSLR. Happy shooting, Dave

Just to share

I am just a beginner in photography and joined PN to learn more. I have learned a lot just by studying other's shots. I am reading how to books as well. However, The critiques that actually analyze my or other's shots and explain both the positive and ways to improve have helped me more than any other source. I value them highly. I would like to see a separate forum started just to analyze one photo each day. Maybe folks could sign up and then rotate providing a photo. Maybe we could break up into groups of 30 or so like a study group. I would volunteer to help start a trial group to see if this idea has merit. I am really new here at PN and would need some guidance on how to proceed. PN is valuable as it is but as with most things it could improve in some ways as well. Happy shooting, Dave Dise

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