bugmeister

That's an interesting shot. Yeah it's noisy, but nowhere near as much as I would have expected at 3200. The fastest I ever used routinely was 800 black and white and 400 colour. I didn't even realise this stuff existed (although in the mid 80s I had other things on my mind), could have been fun playing with it. Are todays sensors better? yes, I'd say so. There's a picture on here somewhere that I took at 25600. That was rather extreme and it was noisier than this one before I ran it through neat image, but not that much noisier. 3200 is reasonable for most things on the latest cameras, and I'm happy to use 1600 if i need to.

Greetings Brian, love the avatar picture Welcome to the madhouse

I just reread that and nearly got the wrong end of the stick. If they asked you to be the official photographer then you'd not have beeen 'just guests' but since you declined and were still asked to take photographs as guests, then that is the bride and grooms wishes and of course should be respected. The problem is much more with the guests who just snap away during the ceremony, when all they will get is shots of the couple's backs, especially when they don't know how to turn off the flash (or can't be bothered). I have to add that if the bride and groom asked you, then obviously they think you are up to the job and whether you're the official 'main' photographer or a guest photographer, they obviously know you are of a certain standard and know what you're doing. That's not intended to sound patronising, but is a recognition of your work, which they obviously see as of a high standard.

Not really I think there's two aspects to this. Firstly the point that anyone thinks they can take pictures.... ok they can, but as photographers we see all the little (and big) imperfections in other peoples work as well as in our own, and we are certainly our own worst critics. I see some superb pictures that people have taken with their phones but when I ask them if they'll print them, very often they look blank and ask why? Conversely many photographers (and I include myself in this) won't consider a picture to be reasonable unless it could be printed at A4 or larger. Maybe this is the way photographers and snappers will be separated in the future, do they print or not? Secondly, as for when it's appropriate to take pictures, I have to agree 100% that an occasion like a wedding should be enjoyed by the guests (mothers tears included) and any photographs should be taken outside, never in the church/venue/whatever. Most venues do not allow flash during the ceremony but there's always some plonker with a phone or compact camera who doesn't think and it fires, annoying everybody else. If I'm there as the official photographer I normally have a camera set up with a wireless remote so I can take a few pictures of their faces during the ceremony (with the vicar's permission of course) as well as me standing off to one side with another camera for the other shots during the ceremony. Sometimes even another one at the back of the church or up on a balcony with another wireless remote. The guests get a good view of the couples backs or the soles of their shoes, why even bother with pictures like that? They do though! <rant>

What a beauty. Great picture and excellent choice

I think it very much depends on the subject. With some, such as cars it can give an impression of movement even if they are static, just by creating the angle. Also people dancing, if they are obviously "going for it" and getting a bit mad, then ok, shoot at an angle and it can add to the wackiness. Generally I prefer my pictures to be straight (bugs can be at any angle), with maybe the odd one thrown in just to be different. That said, if that's his style then maybe that's what he's known for and people go for his work because of it.

Have a look for AWB I couldn't tell you what to look for in the menus on the camera though

If they seem identical it's even stranger, the only two things i can think of is either its recording both RAW and JPG but that doesn't work if they are the same file type, Alternatively, have you switched on white balance bracketing somehow?

Well done on this PotW award, it's a fabulous picture and an excellent choice.

Greetings and welcome from me as well.

Thanks everyone

Thank you so much, Dee. It's one that rotates on and off my wall as well, so I'm very glad others enjoyed it.

I still have no idea what they were trying to learn but this is a higher and slightly wider shot after I jumped (ok clambered) onto the stage (surprising what you can get away with as the 'official photographer'. and it's more how the original one should have come out. Same lens, same flash unit, but no diffuser.

I've no idea what dance they were being shown, but I do know I only just managed to escape from being dragged into the lesson on the pretext of taking the pictures. The two in identical dresses were two of the Three Belles, the third one, Anneka, being the 'instructor'.

What I learned today (ok, last night, but you know what I mean) Because a pancake lens is very thin, combining it with a camera mounted flash fitted with a diffuser is a really bad idea! The front of the diffuser is far enough forwards for light to reflect back into the lens and ruin any shot you take with it. This was supposed to be a shot at the start of a dancing lesson, but it's only fit for use as a lesson on how not to take a photograph. I just noticed.... not many gents in there, are there?

Greetings Tom, and a welcome from me as well. Settle in and get comfy, they seem a friendly bunch around here

Hi David, nice to meet you (but maybe not on a dark night going by that picture)

Absolutely! Well done Bill, and well chosen Heather.

I have a Manfrotto carbon fibre monopod (694CX). with a tilt head (I can always turn it for panning). Main reason I bought it was for confined or busy spaces and portability of un-planned shooting, also it takes the same quick release plate as my main tripod and 3-way head, so the plates stay on the cameras and don't get misplaced. Being carbon fibre it's also reasonably light. I use it on lots of occasions, normally when I think I may be struggling for light but maybe I can't, or don't want to, use or carry a tripod. I even use it to steady the camera for videos when shooting performances.

They are useful tips, and although other scanners may behave a bit differently it's just what is needed... a starting point! Have a virtual beer, sir

Yikes, I know some people have expensive tastes in clothes, but.....

Excellent choice of an excellent picture

Thanks everyone <doffs hat>

This is a bit inspiring. It's something I'd like to have a go at, but even on the darkest of nights around here there's still light from the nearby towns and villages.

Thank you, Annie for the PotW and thanks to all for the congrats <chuffed>