Tony Parsons

<p>I suppose my requirements are quite mundane - to refresh my memories of sights I have enjoyed in the past. If others like them, so be it, but this is not a contributory factor.</p> <p>Tony</p>

<p>I must confess that I approach other people's work in two ways. Firstly, a portrait of an individual, since portraiture does not interest me, will get a few seconds, <em>unless</em> the portrait, in those few seconds, shows something interesting in the subject's character or attitude to life.<br> Other topics, however, which do strike a chord, can get intense scrutiny for many seconds, extending into minutes, for two general reasons. Firstly, I try to understand the nature of the subject matter, and the approach the photographer used in capturing the image, both artistic and technique-oriented.<br> Then I will try to work out what my approach would have been to the same subject matter, assuming all other factors were equal (i.e. I was at the site, and young and fit enough to get to the same viewpoint). For the same reasons, I will return to the many books of photographs that I (as I am sure do we all) possess, and often find new aspects of images I thought I had 'seen' before.<br> Not necessarily trying to copy others' work, but learning what I can to add to 50 years' experience to improve my own shots. </p> <p>Tony</p>

<p>How can something that beautiful be called a weed ?</p> <p>Tony</p>

<p>Sorry, Bryce, Should have made it clear - these are one-off 'Special' trains (as if steam could ever be anything else !), not regular service trains. Most of my railway photography is done on 'Heritage' lines - which for some reason make far greater profits than they ever did when run by accountants.<br> Missed Saturday - leg decided not to work. No matter, hopefully this Friday (yes, two in one month - we are being spoiled !) will be better.</p> <p>Tony</p> <p>'Live Steam - die-sel'</p>

<p>Sorry this a somewhat late response - overslept. When you select 'Pointers' under 'Mouse Properties', there is a button on the lower right side (Win 7 - not tried with Win 10) marked 'Browse'. This will give a vast selection of alternative cursors, which can be applied to replace the actual suggested cursor in whichever scheme you have selected.<br> HTH<br> Tony</p>

<p>I posted a version of this on the Pentax Forum site - seemed to get some people quite agitated .....<br> I have noticed some common 'issues', one of them being failure of SDHC cards, and much advice being given about formatting in camera, using specialised PC and MAC software to do so, etc. <br /><br />I have not yet (touching wood) had any such issues, and I wonder if it may be due to my UOKF policy. No, it's not rude - stands for Use Once, Keep Forever. I backup my cards after every session to PC hard drive, then backing that up to a separate hard drive, and when each card fills up - I file it and use a brand new one.<br /><br />I'm surprised people will happily (even joyously) spend large amounts on bodies, lenses, tripods and ancillary equipment, then 'economise' on the most important link in the entire image capture chain - the capture medium, which is undoubtedly the least expensive item needed ! After all, no matter how good the camera, the optics and the vision of the photographer, if the image fails to record all is lost.<br /><br />Just a thought.<br /><br />Tony<br /><br /></p>

<p>Whilst appreciative of the skill used to obtain these images, I am afraid I am much lazier, and use a USB microscope attached to my computer to obtain images of errors and varieties on stamps.<br> Now photographing insects, butterflies, flowers and other minuscule natural marvels - that is quite another matter, and my macro lens, extension tubes and ring-flash, supported on a sturdy tripod, can keep me occupied for many enjoyable hours.<br> Tony</p>

<p>Bryce,</p> <p>So nice to realise that I am not the only one who eschews photographing people (after all, it only encourages them !) My major photographic interest is trains as well, though in my case only steam powered ones (in fact I am due to arise at 5 a.m. tomorrow to photograph a steam train leaving our local station, something I would never do in other circumstances !).<br> Ageing and suffering minor mobility issues as I am, I am still currently using a DSLR with appropriate lenses, although I no longer take the full kit out on every trip ! I may need to follow your lead and assess the possibilities of a 'bridge' camera on which I can take full manual control if I so desire.<br> You mention using a cane - I use one myself for normal day-to-day lurching about, but for photography I use a monopod, both for personal support and for the camera, which gives good results and counteracts any hand shaking which might otherwise be transferred to the camera.<br> Best wishes<br> Tony</p>

<p>Connie,<br> If you use google, you may be able to find manuals / instruction sheets for each of your lenses, which will help you understand the controls on them. It may also be worth your while getting a cheap book on 35mm photography, which will explain the use of shutter speed and lens aperture, so you can get the most out of your equipment.<br> Good luck.<br> Tony</p>

<p>Since you're using digital, I would suggest, unless you have a tight time schedule, that you shoot test shots at all shutter speed / aperture combinations that you can, then study them closely (on a computer, not just the camera screen) and see which suits your purposes best, then check the EXIF data and use those values for the actual shoot.<br> Should you not have time to do this, then shoot at all shutter speed / aperture combinations that you can in the actual shoot, then select the best for post-processing afterwards. That way, you should have a selection of images that are at least presentable.<br> Tony</p>

<p>When I was using film cameras (Pentax, Nikon and Bronica) I was able to use the Zone system reasonably successfully with a Weston Master V hand held meter and Invercone, measuring the light falling on the subject not that reflected by it. Sadly, the equipment and negatives did not survive a fire, but at least I still have the mind, eyes and hands I used to take the images.<br> Tony</p>

<p>Where do I start ?!?<br> I live in the UK, where until recently the Police (note capital P to be Polite) were unarmed and could be relied on to listen to reason and act responsibly. Now ? Not so sure. One of my interests is Railways, but not modern motive power or routes. When I am trying to trace old railway routes, always on foot as I don't drive, I frequently find I have strayed from public-access areas (!), and on numerous occasions I have been politely requested to leave - I have always courteously apologised and left. Once on the Isle of Wight, I had followed a clearly signposted public footpath, only to be accosted by an irate farmer at the end of a large black aggressive dog who enquired what I was doing.<br> I explained, and showed him my maps, both modern and historic, clearly showing the footpath, and indicating the signpost. His response verged on the apoplectic, stating he was fed-up with hordes of people trampling his crops. I pointed out that a) we were alone, and b) there was nowt but bare earth in his field. I then turned my back and continued on the footpath. I don't know who was growling louder, the farmer or his dog.<br> On another occasion, occasional steam-hauled trips were being run out of Marylebone station, in London, using the world-famous locos Mallard and Flying Scotsman. I decided I'd like to photograph them, so wandered round looking for a public vantage point. Having found one, I took some photos, then notice a side door to the loco-shed was ajar. As there was no notice saying 'No admittance to Tony', I wandered in. <br> The place stank of diesel fuel, but in the sunlight at the other end I could see two gleaming locos, so I made my way towards them. Suddenly, a heavy hand fell upon my shoulder. I turned, and found myself eye-ball to belt-buckle with the tallest copper I have ever seen. He looked at me sternly, and enquired if I had a pass to enter the shed. I told him I hadn't. He then said I was trespassing, which in those days was a civil offence, not criminal, and said I had to be punished.<br> He led me outside to where Flying Scotsman was basking in the effulgent sunshine, handed me some cotton waste, and said sternly, but with a twinkle in his eye, 'Clean It !'. Needless to say, I immediately obliged.<br> That is the kind of trouble, and punishment, I can take all day.<br> Tony</p><div></div>

<p>If you're 'passing on' your K30, can I have it, please ? Are you looking at new or pre-owned Canon/Nikon gear ? I gather you are in the UK - have you tried London Camera Exchange ? (No connection except as satisfied customer of many years standing).</p> <p>Tony</p>

<p>I have a Fuji Finepix S8000fd, no idea of sensor size. 8 MP, 16x Optical zoom. f2.8-f4, image stabilization, fully manual as well as automatic modes, optical viewfinder, Macro & Super-macro settings - £29.95 ! Mainly bought as local and cheap !!!!!!</p> <p>Tony</p>

<p>Fred G wrote :<br> 'Viewers seeing rats have an emotional response, which doesn't make rats art any more than viewers having an emotional response to wedding pictures makes them art.'<br> Rats, being natural creatures, are not created by humans, therefore the inclusion of them in a discussion concerning art is both disingenuous and facile. Images of rats, no matter in what art form they appear, can be artistic. <br> Tony</p>

<p>Just carry an 'ID' card saying 'Official State-registered Photographer'. Most people back off from anything labelled 'Official'.<br> Tony</p>

<p>Very naive viewpoint - Art is something which stirs emotion in the viewer. Wedding photographs will always stir emotion in the viewer. Therefore, Wedding Photography is Art. <br> QED<br> Tony</p>

<p>OK, so cropping reduces the number of pixels in the final (or published) image. But, AFAIK, the quality in the remaining pixels is not compromised. What will affect them is a large amount of cropping, followed by attempting to increase the remaining image in post-processing, as the software needs to interpolate or otherwise alter the pixels so that they create a larger image. Same-size cropping may often result in a stronger image, by eliminating extraneous detail it was impossible to exclude in the original exposure.</p> <p>Attention to detail does not equate with adhering to dogma.</p> <p>Tony</p>

<p>Try using different shutter speeds until you find one that works. The exposure is determined by the flash duration, not the shutter speed, so unless there is a lot of ambient light any movement should be frozen.</p> <p>Tony</p>

<p>For me, an original Gandolfi with red leather bellows. Not for use, just to be able to admire something created by a craftsman who took a real pride in his work, and did his best to achieve perfection (not intended as sexist - if anyone knows of any non-male artificers in this field, please let me know). <br> To quote Rincewind - 'I don't want good as new, I want good as old.'<br> Tony</p>

<p>I keep getting this 'reminder' too, but in the top right corner of the reminder is the usual 'X' to close the window. Click on this and problem is solved. I never leave my pc running unattended anyway - if I do need to do so, I close the lid, which hibernates everything.<br> Someone asked why the reluctance to upgrade - for me, two reasons. One is that after the universal acclaim for its products for many years now, I am extremely wary of upgrading anything until some other poor individual has given it a thorough test and either the bugs have been ironed out or a patch (or several) have been issued (remember Win 8, soon being replaced by Win 8.1 ?).<br> The other is that I object most strongly to being forced to do anything I am not convinced is totally for my benefit - the word 'free', from a software vendor, sets automatic alarm bells ringing !<br> Tony</p>

<p>Hello, Heidi,<br> Had a look at your images - although there is a certain red cast visible in some images, to me it is not objectionable, but of course it all lies in the eyes of the viewer. What I do seem to see is a certain amount of flare in some images, and I wonder if the front element of the lens needs careful cleaning ? You said you didn't use a lens shade or lens hood when discussing the vignetting issue, but using one when shooting at an acute angle to the light source can help reduce flare.<br> The vignetting does seem more apparent in the wider angle shots, and as has been said the aperture at which you shoot can affect this. It may be worth mounting the camera on a tripod and doing some test shots at varying apertures and focal lengths, making careful notes of these, to see under what conditions this occurs. Talking of wide angle shots, in one image the wire fencing through which you shot is visible - this can be avoided by using a longer focal length, getting the lens closer to the wire (if possible), or both. If you already know this, my apologies.<br> Finally, adjusting colours, contrast etc in post processing is part and parcel of the joys of scanning images. Is it possible your processor could provide you with a CD of your images, scanned professionally, for you to compare with your own results ?<br> Whatever, best of luck, and don't forget film is fun. I only shoot monochrome film myself these days, process it in the bathroom and scan the negs.<br> Tony</p>

<p>These shots also look as if they were taken well above sea level, and I think I read somewhere, many moons ago, that a warming filter should be used in these conditions. As with other responses, I feel it is most likely the original lighting which is the main contributor, and a few post processing tweaks should help.</p> <p>Tony</p>

<p>Hi, Alisa,<br> Bit late on this one - sorry. Have you looked at close-up lenses, that screw into the lens filter thread ? They are relatively inexpensive, require no exposure correction and, provided you stop the lens down, are pretty good quality. Should be available from your local camera shop, maybe second hand, or else look on Ebay. No moving parts, so nothing to go wrong !<br> Tony</p>

<p>Hi, Danek,<br /> Just had a look at that listing - in the eleventh and twelfth images, you can see enough of the back of the lens to discern the lugs for a bayonet mount, so it is definitely not M42. Whether it is a Nikon fit I cannot tell, I'm afraid, but I have a dim recollection of some Russian cameras (or is that kameras !?) using a Nikon F mount. The listing appears to indicate that this lens is available in both Nikon F and M42 mounts, not one mount which fits both camera systems.<br /> You may be able to find more info on this site :<br /> http://www.destoutz.ch/nikon_f_lenses.html<br /> if not, there is some pretty tasty eye-candy there !<br /> Tony</p>