CanonChrissy

I picked some poppies today and this included some unopened 'hairy' buds. I want to do a close up shot in my mini 'pop up' studio having them backlit to pick up and highlight the hairs. Can anyone advise me? I have: 1 pop up studio Black, white, red and blue backdrops 2 mini studio lights 2 speedlights Can anyone advise the best way to achieve the lighting effect? Lighting effects is a minefield for me and something I really, really need to upskill on. Thanks

Hi Ringo. I'm from Sunderland so not far from you. Approach it slowly. Learn one thing at a time and invest in a good DSLR book. If you learn composition first and take it from there. You can move to depth of field and shutter speed and once these are mastered the world your oyster.

I would love to see a weekly themed comp

Glad you found it here Phoenix. Welcome to the forum. I hope everyone has made youyou feel welcomewelcome. Sadly there's no weekly comp here like the other forum but you could start one.......

What do others think?

OK, here's my 1st one - I like how the trees have naturally framed the pilon. Sadly, Im on the national grid and around the fields pilons are everywhere, I tend to use them as a feature rather than avoid them and cloning them out just doesn't work for me as I miss them being there.

I will only book the boat trip tickets in advance but not pay for them. You pay when you pick them up. Will drew up more details this weekend but the idea was to meet on the pier at Sea houses where the boat leaves from.

Does anyone need suggestions for digs? I usually go out on the boat of billy shiels. I can block book tickets then we pay as we pick them up. Look at www.farne-islands.com.There's various boat tripstrips to choose from. Also what else would people like to do? What do people hope to get from the trip?

I know what you mean. I often feel vulnerable, being a lady out on my own. I took my 18 - 55 mm lens so still quite versatile but no use for close ups of insects or distance.

Hmmmmm. Not very. I was inhibited by being with daughter who wanted to walkwalk and not keep stopping and isn't into photography and by a very poor gray sky. Still in camera but will download later. I have 8 coming for Sunday roast today and its rather manic here today. Need to impress as my daughters new man is coming for the 1st time.

Never, since I bought my first lens, have I only gone out with the one lens. I have always taken a variety with me which grew as my kit grew. Today I'm off for a country walk whilst the rapeseed fields are blooming. I'm only taking my camera and 18-55 mm kit lens. This will be a novelty and a challenge. Will post the results later.

I did it last year - Im at work so can't download my image but I will when I get home (if I remember).

Glad there's some interest. I will give it a fefew days to see if anyone else is interested but will start drawing up a little itinerary. Me and hubby might go up there together and he can go cyclecycle whilst I snap.

Ooooo yes. I bought a ring flash a while ago but always forget about it when doing macro.

Haha looks like I'm going alone so far.....I love my own company.

Its almost time (mid June) for my annual trip to Northumberland for a boat trip to The Farne Islands and various places along the way. Is anyone interested in coming or meeting up as a group? I'm hoping for 13 June but nothing concrete. Great for wildlife (birds and seals) and landscapes (castles and seascapes). Holy Island trip for sunrise if tides are OK is a must too and to see the upturned boat sheds. Great for mono! I'm going anyway so nothing spoiling if no one is interested.

Lol.....I'm a mackem too so these comments make me smile. However let's hope they don't backfire

NUFC Mascot, who only gets fed when they win

Still awaiting my payrise

The bus is a bit late!

Good luck

Farmers Resort To Skeleton Staff To Keep Farm Running

Haha keep'em coming. I have a favourite so far....

Please give my image a caption - just for fun.

Awesome capture