Thanks! Wasn't actually too much processing involved, just a small contrast change. Pretty new to the forum but will try get some shots up periodically

One from a while back of a random tree near my street in the sunset

Nice.

A pensive Harris Hawk:

That's a nicely framed shot and I really like the use of the leaves and the way they fit into the battlements.

If the photo editor you use has the capability to deal with the converging verticals I think you could improve the shot still further.

Some really nice photos posted yesterday. Quite a variety too.

The framing is annoying, as the foliage "touches" the foremost tower. That was not intended - just a family with kids was approaching so I had to snap before I had lined up exactly!

My "photoeditor" is a very basic thing that came with the camera. Not sure it does verticals. Maybe I should invest many thousands in a shift lens!!?

You know best, of course, as always.

I'd be more inclined to invest SFA in GIMP which'll do the job for nowt.

A couple of years ago someone recommended a decent site for checking best prices of photographic equipment but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. Any suggestions? I'm after a new wide zoom (somewhere in the 8-20 region).

Here you go, 2 minutes with Serif PhotoPlus (which you can get free versions of that will do this)

This picture was taken on Woodhouse Moor (Hyde Park) Leeds during the summer

Quote ="Iain"A couple of years ago someone recommended a decent site for checking best prices of photographic equipment but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. Any suggestions? I'm after a new wide zoom (somewhere in the 8-20 region).'" www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

Quote ="Iain"A couple of years ago someone recommended a decent site for checking best prices of photographic equipment but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. Any suggestions? I'm after a new wide zoom (somewhere in the 8-20 region).'" www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

Right, off to Blackpool next Friday for the international fireworks, I think I've got the basics sorted out:

Tripod
Auto shutter release
Shoot in manual, Bulb, f8 and ISO 100
Location - fireworks are released from North Pier so planning on standing on the lower prom beyond North Pier, shooting across the beach/sea dependant on the tide.

I shall be using my kit lens (I have 55-250 and nifty fifty too, but kit lens was suggested as best) and I shall be shooting from the lower promenade beyond North Pier.

A couple of other things were suggested:

1. setting focus to manual and infinity - don't think I can do this with my kit lens can I?
2. White Balance - down to personal taste apparently, daylight giving a warmer glow and tungsten a cooler one.
3. Shooting in RAW - can someone tell me the benefits to this please. Do I need to convert the images in some way, do I need specific software? I normally only use Picasa to edit my photos.

Anything else anyone can think of greatly appreciated

I'd use the 50mm f1.8, it gives you a wider field.There is no infinity mark on the 55-250mm if you use that focus on an early firework and then knock it into manual focus. See what results your ISO gives you, you can knock it up if needed same with the f stop. RAW means not having to worry about white balance, it means you get the raw data from the camera and you can play about with the image a lot more. www.slrlounge.com/raw-vs-jpeg-jp ... sual-guide

I'd use the 50mm f1.8, it gives you a wider field.There is no infinity mark on the 55-250mm if you use that focus on an early firework and then knock it into manual focus. See what results your ISO gives you, you can knock it up if needed same with the f stop. RAW means not having to worry about white balance, it means you get the raw data from the camera and you can play about with the image a lot more. www.slrlounge.com/raw-vs-jpeg-jp ... sual-guide

That's interesting Graeme, thanks, I was wondering about using the 50mm but i've not experimented with it much yet. I'm not going to be close up so was looking at taking in the whole picture rather than zooming in, so the 50mm would be good for that, and of course better for the low light. The contrary arguement was that someone else on a photography forum said to set the aperture higher, f8 - 16 so that threw me a bit.

I'd use a narrower aperture (ie f/icon_cool.gif as it'll give you a greater DOF and therefore compensate for focus miscalculations. You don't need to have a fast aperture as you're not after a fast shutter speed. You can set the focus to infinity on you're kit lens (18-55?) even though there is no distance scale window, turn the focus ring as far left as it'll go (whilst holding the camera as you normally would, at least thats for Canon).

Hope this helps Trace

Thanks for the tip Ferocious Aardvark, will have to check it out

Its a great site is that although occasionally it misses the odd good deal. Useful now as it has current eBay items listed

Thanks for that, so the lens would be zoomed out as far as possible?

Quote ="RoversTrace"That's interesting Graeme, thanks, I was wondering about using the 50mm but i've not experimented with it much yet. I'm not going to be close up so was looking at taking in the whole picture rather than zooming in, so the 50mm would be good for that, and of course better for the low light. The contrary arguement was that someone else on a photography forum said to set the aperture higher, f8 - 16 so that threw me a bit.'" The Nifty Fifty is a quality lens and even going down to f16 it will still do a great job, you are not really interested in a quick shutter speed though as you'll be hand timing with the bulb setting (you have got a shutter release cable or button haven't you?) www.flickr.com/photos/big_graeme ... 061978096/ That was my first set, I used my 24-70 f2.8 set at around 30mm on an f16 stop, it was just a matter of shoot and see what I got, I don't think they ended up too bad. Remember if you do use the 55-250mm lens to turn off the IS function.

Quote ="RoversTrace"That's interesting Graeme, thanks, I was wondering about using the 50mm but i've not experimented with it much yet. I'm not going to be close up so was looking at taking in the whole picture rather than zooming in, so the 50mm would be good for that, and of course better for the low light. The contrary arguement was that someone else on a photography forum said to set the aperture higher, f8 - 16 so that threw me a bit.'" The Nifty Fifty is a quality lens and even going down to f16 it will still do a great job, you are not really interested in a quick shutter speed though as you'll be hand timing with the bulb setting (you have got a shutter release cable or button haven't you?) www.flickr.com/photos/big_graeme ... 061978096/ That was my first set, I used my 24-70 f2.8 set at around 30mm on an f16 stop, it was just a matter of shoot and see what I got, I don't think they ended up too bad. Remember if you do use the 55-250mm lens to turn off the IS function.

There's some interesting info to be had by typing "shooting fireworks" into the search function of a well-know video site.

Yes I've got a shutter release cable which I'll be using, so all i'm torn between now is nifty fifty or 18-55.

Not zoomed out no but using the focus ring (the smaller ring). If it the 18-55 kit lens there is the large rubberized zoom ring and a small focus ring at the end of the lens (near the filter threads) its the latter focus ring you want.

If you can get the framing you want use the 50 1.8 (as it does have better IQ) but if you need a wider shot, use the 18-55, simples!

. I'd recommend using the 18-55 as you have more control over the framing of the fireworks rather than having to move your tripod around etc with the prime.

As Graeme also said, use a narrower aperture, and remember to take a few test shots first and adjust if required!!

Quote ="Big Graeme"The Nifty Fifty is a quality lens and even going down to f16 it will still do a great job, you are not really interested in a quick shutter speed though as you'll be hand timing with the bulb setting (you have got a shutter release cable or button haven't you?) www.flickr.com/photos/big_graeme ... 061978096/ That was my first set, I used my 24-70 f2.8 set at around 30mm on an f16 stop, it was just a matter of shoot and see what I got, I don't think they ended up too bad. Remember if you do use the 55-250mm lens to turn off the IS function.'" Some really good shots there Graeme, with a bit of care its pretty straight forward to get some nice firework shots isn't it so I don't think RoversTrace should be too concerned

Quote ="Big Graeme"The Nifty Fifty is a quality lens and even going down to f16 it will still do a great job, you are not really interested in a quick shutter speed though as you'll be hand timing with the bulb setting (you have got a shutter release cable or button haven't you?) www.flickr.com/photos/big_graeme ... 061978096/ That was my first set, I used my 24-70 f2.8 set at around 30mm on an f16 stop, it was just a matter of shoot and see what I got, I don't think they ended up too bad. Remember if you do use the 55-250mm lens to turn off the IS function.'" Some really good shots there Graeme, with a bit of care its pretty straight forward to get some nice firework shots isn't it so I don't think RoversTrace should be too concerned