purplealien

<p>I'm very happy with my Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (non VR version) - sharp, very reasonably priced and light</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

<p>Chris</p>

<p>There are plenty of triggers for linking a flash(s) to the camera via a hot shoe mounted unit. I use the budget YN-622N receivers and YN-622N - TX Controller on the camera; a combination which offers TTL flash metering.</p>

<p>Likewise, there are plenty of cheap radio shutter releases available which enable you to trigger the camera remotely. These generally plug into the camera via an accessory port. I use a cheap set of Calumet radio triggers.</p>

<p>So, use flash triggers to link the camera to the flash via a hotshoe mounted unit. Fire the whole set up using a shutter release in your hand which communicates with it's receiver plugged into the assessory port of the camera. Simple - I think!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>That retriever is an amateur.</p>

<p>There's no way my lab would been distracted by a fluffy toy or dropped half a sausage. </p>

<p>Another vote for the Tamron from me. I have the non-VC version. It is: sharp, lightweight (but solid), and very good value for money. </p>

<p>It works very well as an everyday lens, and stays on my camera most of time. The constant f/2.8 is very helpful in real life situations. </p>

<p>I travel light, and I find I occasionally get caught out wanting something a bit longer or wider - but you can't have it all (not on my budget anyway!) </p>

<p>Lovely shots everyone.</p>

<p>A quiet week for me photographically, so here's one from a couple of weeks ago.</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17893639-lg.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="998" /><br>

It was taken at the mouth of the Cuckmere river in East Sussex, UK. The folk on the beach were shooting what looked like either a Bollywood movie or a pop video.</p>

<p>Happy Wednesday :-)</p>

<p>I have very similar equipment to you, and a similar passion for portrait photography.</p>

<p>I've been learning and improving (in fits and starts) since the early 1990s. It took me decades to realise that I didn't really understand light. In particular, how the light falling on the subject and background affects the final image, and how to adjust/control the light to get the desired effect. Once I'd got it, that scary flash gun become an incredibly useful tool.</p>

<p>I second Wouter's recommendation to spend time on the Strobist and Tangents web sites. If you prefer books, Neil van Niekerk who writes the Tangents blog has a series of books which really helped me. I'd recommend his latest book "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Direction-Quality-Light-Neil-Niekerk/dp/1608955702/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414236300&sr=8-1&keywords=direction+and+quality+of+light">Direction & Quality of Light</a>" as a good starting place.</p>

<p>On the kit side, I find I prefer the results from my prime lenses. My first choice is usually the 85mm f/1.8G which I would recommend without hesitation, but I sometimes use the 35mm f/1.8G for full length/environmental portraits. For events, walking around, groups and moving subjects I have recently acquired the very reasonably priced Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (the non-VC version). The fixed aperture helps with flash photography and the image quality is a noticable step up from my kit lens. </p>

<p>I do lust after FX, but I have decided that the gain in performance isn't worth the additional size and weight, not to mention the cost. I have three children and other hobbies to support. I don't think I'll be able to afford a full system with two FX bodies and f/2.8 lens set in the near future. </p>

<p>Best of luck. Hope this helps a little.</p>

<p>Chris</p>

<p>Happy Wednesday everyone.</p>

<p>I'm not sure cats eyes count as shiny objects, but here's a picture taken with a little help from three of my birthday treats:</p>

<ul>

<li>Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens (surprisingly close focusing)</li>

<li>Yongnuo YN565EX</li>

<li>Large FlashBender</li>

</ul>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17888447-lg.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1022" /></p>

<blockquote>

<p>I currently work for UPS as a package handler<br>

</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Matt<br>

<br>

UPS is a massive company. Judging from the material I am exposed to in the UK, they must be producing (or commissioning) countless images. Have you tried befriending somebody in the marketing department? Why not use the advantage you have - you are already an employee. Try the internal e-mail system or maybe even take a few days off and travel up to head office.</p>

<p>There are no shortcuts or direct routes into dream jobs I'm afraid. Be polite, friendly and gently persistent. You may need to offer to help out carrying bags in your spare time. Show them how keen you are. If you can talk yourself into even a very junior role in the right department, or be allowed to help out once in a while your professional network will improve dramatically and in time if you work hard more exciting opportunities will come. Eventually when you leave you'll have some work experience that is more relevant to what you want to do long term. <br>

<br>

I went to work on a rubbish dump when I left college to earn money to travel. When I returned it was that experience that made me better than the other candidates and landed me my first job in Environmental Regulation (which became my career). If you can use your current employers to gain at least some relevant experience, it will really help you when you move on.<br>

<br>

Best of luck<br>

<br>

Chris<br>

<br>

<br>

</p>

<p>Happy Wednesday everyone. Lovely photos as always.</p>

<p>I haven't posted for a while; I've been doing a lot of kayaking before the winter returns. I don't have protective gear for the Nikon, so all my pictures were taken with the phone.</p>

<p>Here's a picture of my sister's dog taken at a recent family gathering.....</p><div></div>

<p>I've just bought the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (earlier non-VR version) for events and I'm very pleased with it so far. It was very good value for money, very sharp and the focus is much quicker than my 18-105 kit lens.</p>

<p>It also focuses pretty close - it's the closest focussing lens I have, so will give me more creative options (detail shots).</p>

<p>I am using a D90 so can't offer first hand experience of how it holds up on a 24MP sensor, but the various reviews I consulted suggest it's as good as the Sigma.</p>

<p>I prefer primes (I have the 35, 50, & 85mm f/1.8 trio), but I don't think I could cover a rapidly moving event using them. I would miss a wide angle option, and would miss too many shots changing lenses (I only have the one body at the moment).</p>

<p>There are several choices in your price range.<br>

I'm very happy with my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-10-20mm-4-5-6-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0007U00XK">Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6</a> which is well within your budget.</p>

<p>Hi everyone. Lovely photos as always.....</p>

<p>All my submissions this week are taken on the 85mm f/1.8G. The first shot is an HDR of Merlin our black lab in the rock pools at low tide</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17846544-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="406" /><br>

The second is an informal portrait of one of my daughter's friends by the sea wall</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17846543-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="442" /><br>

The last shows Mittens in her favourite place for sitting and observing what Merlin is doing</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17846541-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="431" /></p>

<p>Happy Wednesday :-)</p>

<p>Happy Wednesday everyone. Hamish and Rick, I loved your pictures this week.</p>

<p>My first picture this week is our washing line......</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17830608-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="451" /></p>

<p>I met this Cyberman at the Dr Who Experience in Cardiff. Well worth a visit if you are UK based.......</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17840434-md.jpg" alt="" width="466" height="680" /></p>

<p>Lastly, another one of a kitten. They are now gradually starting to explore the garden - all senses maxed out and ready to run back indoors at a moment's notice.......</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17840435-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="451" /></p>

<p>I'm on holiday this week, so I get to be one of the first posters for once :-)</p>

<p>On Sunday we took my brother in law on one of our favorite walks across the South Downs to a pub in a nearby village.</p>

<p>On the way there:<br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17829004-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="440" /><br>

On the way back:<br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17829005-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="382" /><br>

Both shots are HDRs with my Sigma 10-20mm</p>

<p>And lastly, another portrait of one of the kittens; also taken with the Sigma</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17829010-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="451" /></p>

<p>Happy Wednesday everybody :-)</p>

<p>Hi Gia<br /> The focal length of your 18-55 kit lens is enough to cover most typical events pictures. However, I think your set up lacks three things:</p>

<ol>

<li>Flash - a good powerful flash will allow you to modify the light falling on your subjects and overcome a general lack of light</li>

<li>A telephoto for distant subjects and isolating subjects from their background (the reason you are getting lots of recommendations for 70-200 lenses)</li>

<li>A lens with a larger maximum aperture (lower f number) to allow you cope with lower light levels without raising the ISO as much, and to help separate subjects from their background. Most pros shoot with more expensive f/2.8 zooms for this reason.</li>

</ol>

<p>Hope this helps<br /> Chris</p>

<p>I found Neil van Niekerk's "<a href="http://neilvn.com/tangents/balancing-flash-and-ambient-exposure/">Tangents</a>" blog really useful for learning how to balance flash with ambient light. He also has a series of books.</p>

<p>Chris</p>

<p>We've also had some thunder storms as Andrew reports. Sadly it was my week as duty manager so I was stuck inside managing our preparation for flooding instead of photographing the lightning :-(</p>

<p>I did manage a short trip to the beach with the family, but it wasn't long before the dark clouds arrived....</p>

<div></div>

<p>Happy Wednesday everyone. Great concert photos Ilkka, and I love the ostrich Mitchell :-)</p>

<p>My first picture is my youngest launching her kite at the kite festival....</p><div></div>

<p>Happy Wednesday everyone. Tom P, I love your shot of the baby birds :-)</p>

<p>Something different from me this week. Here are three pictures of kites at the Brighton Kite Festival which took place at the weekend. As you can see, the weather is fabulous here at the moment.</p><div></div>

<p>Roberta and Panayotis - thank you for your kind comments. <br>

<br>

Lovely hummingbirds Roberta; especially the first one. I love the fanned tail feathers :-)</p>