purplealien

<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>Second is typical of the weather we've been having...</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>giant teddy kite....</p><div></div>

<p>gecko kite.....</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>

<p>And one of a kitty (of course)</p><div></div>

<p>My other daughter on a rope swing. Don't tell the Health & Safety people!</p><div></div>

<p>Happy Wednesday everyone. Love that Time Square shot Scott :-)</p> <p>Here's a casual snapshot of my wife with our youngest lurking in the background......</p><div></div>