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thesnapper
Administrator
Posts: 5209
Registered: Apr 2007 |
 Posted December 22nd, 2008 22:22 IP   
Awesome, and a Merry Christmas to Ann, Maria and not fotgetting yourself.
Cheers Neal
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SnapHappy
Member
Posts: 409
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 23rd, 2008 19:25 IP
Stunning Ray. Merry Christmas to you and your Family and not forgetting everyone else on this excellent forum. Have a good one folks.
Haydn
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 28th, 2008 19:12 IP
Here's my Christmas, Birthday, Easter and every other present for the next few years all wrapped up in one....
Upgraded my D70 to a 300 and used the 18-70 lens and the 70-300 VR.
Have probably shot 500 images but mainly family/indoors.
Recently had my first chance to try the camera outdoors and wanted to share my results in the hope of getting some c and c, help and advice please.
I am very keen to learn and therefore look forward to any help .
Kind regards to all
Ray
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thesnapper
Administrator
Posts: 5209
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 28th, 2008 22:30 IP
great xmas present Ray, i was a little less extravagant and bought myself a little netbook book. The rest of my xmas pressies were mostly clothes although i got some cash and bought a great little electric saw for ripping up pallets for the fire.
The images are brilliant from the new camera.........i bet you are chuffed to bits with it. Just a small point..clone out the blemish on maria's nose !
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 28th, 2008 23:03 IP
Quote:
thesnapper wrote:
great xmas present Ray, i was a little less extravagant and bought myself a little netbook book. The rest of my xmas pressies were mostly clothes although i got some cash and bought a great little electric saw for ripping up pallets for the fire.
The images are brilliant from the new camera.........i bet you are chuffed to bits with it. Just a small point..clone out the blemish on maria's nose !
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Hi Neal....
I'll bet you have fun with the netbook!!!! They look really good and very handy.
I have been thinking for some time about a new camera and have admired the D300. I am a bit of a ditherer (Ann says Scrooge!!!) when it comes to spending money and very reluctantly parted with the cash for one after two of my mates bought new gear!!!
I don't regret it though and am amazed at its high ISO ability compared to the D70. I have kept the D70 and will put a 50mm 1.8 prime on it I think.
Good call re the blemish neal...will deal with that.
In the meantime......any advice re shooting into the sun please?
I have had to clone out flares in the pictures I have taken of sunsets.....is there any way of avaoiding please Neal????
I am thinking you may know because in your professional capacity, I can imaging you having to shoot against floodlights (possibly) and that too would create a flare.....any ideas please Neal.
Many thanks and best wishes to you and family
From
Ray
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Xrider
Administrator
Posts: 2539
Registered: Feb 2008 |
Posted December 28th, 2008 23:46 IP
I just looked up the D300 very nice buy Ray congrats on your new camera excellentt pic postings, Ive read where Neal suggested in other threads that a lens hood cuts down on sun flares although every time I go out I forget to bring it.
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WeiKhuen
Member
Posts: 405
Registered: Oct 2007 |
Posted December 29th, 2008 02:16 IP
Hi Ray,
What a beautiful capture of Earnse Bay. Great Sunset!
I like the animal shots. The Mandril shot is good mixture of warm and cool color.
The photo of Maria is also wonderful. With snow falling over and she is enjoying the fun :")
Warmest Regards
Wei Khuen
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 29th, 2008 07:49 IP
Thanks guys....appreciate the feedback.
Joe, I was using a lens hood but as I was shotting stright into the sun I still got flare?
I guess that it is perhaps unavaoidable in those circumstances?
Will keep trying and hopefully learning....
Very best wishes
Ray
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thesnapper
Administrator
Posts: 5209
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 29th, 2008 10:35 IP
apart from a lens hood Ray there is no easy fix. Make sure your lens in 100% sparkling clean on the front and back elements. The slightest specks of dirt can cause flaring. A bit like when your car windows are dirty and you get dazzled by other car headlights when driving at night.
Perhaps really stopping down the camera for the sky exposure and then combining this with an exposure for the foreground ma also help......a sort of HDR image........somethng you should now experiment with now you have a great camera with good autobracketing.
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sylvia
Member
Posts: 2264
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 29th, 2008 11:44 IP
Great pictures, Ray!
Marvin got himself a free netbook just by opening a new account with our bank! He just loves it, it's so tiny and portable.
I got myself a Sony ebook, I love it! I can read any text, Word of pdf document/book on it + listen to music + view pictures (although they're not too good in terms of quality).
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...552921665245739
They're all jealous at the swimming-pool, every day they come and ask me about it. I'd better keep a sharp eye on it! 
Sylvia
Photoshop / Photoshop Elements / Topaz tutorials
http://www.photoart-tutorials.com/
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 29th, 2008 12:52 IP
Thanks neal and Sylvia
Neal....many thanks.....I was wondering if it was just me but seemingly not.......
I will do as you say and keep the lens clean....also try your other ideas re bracketing etc.
Sylvia, these netbooks seem brilliant.....and for marvin to get one free is brilliant!!!!
Sounds as if you do need to keep your eyes on them though as probably the type of hi-tech goods to go missing!!!!
Anyway, keep having fun and have a great New Year.
Best wishes
Ray
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 31st, 2008 12:01 IP
I always love the work of Fred James Photography and he is kind enough to allow us to practice using his images.....he is one great guy!
So....here is his original and my smudge.
Hope that you like but as always c and c welcome.
So much to learn!
best wishes
Ray
original
My painting
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thesnapper
Administrator
Posts: 5209
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 31st, 2008 12:53 IP
awesome smudge again Ray and not overcooked. I also like Freds work but this shot is one of his weaker ones in my mind. The pose looks very stiff and the raised knee is twisting the girls body, but heck i have taken much worse..... .... I also wonder what the bracelet would look like in another colour as i find the pink is really drawing your eye !!!
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SnapHappy
Member
Posts: 409
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 31st, 2008 17:13 IP
fantastic smudge Ray. I really must get going again. After the smudge course I was wiped out. Have a wonderful new year to you, your family and everyone on the forum.
ps. I'll be celebrating 1 hour ahead of you :-)
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Xrider
Administrator
Posts: 2539
Registered: Feb 2008 |
Posted December 31st, 2008 18:01 IP
Nice smudge Ray, as I mentioned at DP, you can burn back freckles using the burn tool, for this girl freckles are part of her, masking back her freckles takes away from the hard smudge work you completed, try burning at about 15 looking at the orginal for a guide. Her dress in the smudged version is cool looking,
How do you get the hair done? brush and opacity? i always overdo the hair.
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 31st, 2008 18:50 IP
Quote:
Xrider wrote:
Nice smudge Ray, as I mentioned at DP, you can burn back freckles using the burn tool, for this girl freckles are part of her, masking back her freckles takes away from the hard smudge work you completed, try burning at about 15 looking at the orginal for a guide. Her dress in the smudged version is cool looking,
How do you get the hair done? brush and opacity? i always overdo the hair.
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Hi Joe,
Many tha ks for the reminder in the class.....so many things to remeber.
For the hair I use the hair brush (Scott's) and set about 70%.
I do however use a very small brush which makes it a long and timeconsuming job.
I have tried other ways but in the ened, despite the time factor, come back to this way of doing......that is until Scott comes up with a quicker way for us all!!!!!
Kind regards and Happy New Year from Ray
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted December 31st, 2008 22:26 IP
Happy New Year.....should I be out having a drink????
Am I sad....or what....sat at home doing a smudge....!!!!!
Still, it is another of Fred James' photography....always interesting to work on.
Here's hoping you like my start to the New Year,
Very best wishes to all
From Ray Ann and Maria
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sylvia
Member
Posts: 2264
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted January 1st, 2009 05:01 IP
Excellent, Ray, as usual !!! 
Sylvia
Photoshop / Photoshop Elements / Topaz tutorials
http://www.photoart-tutorials.com/
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted January 1st, 2009 18:44 IP
Thanks Sylvia and Ronnie....
our very best wishes to you both, and all here at SP for the New Year.......
Already broken my New Year resolution
just couldn't resist another from Fred James' galleries
cropped the original, smudge and lighting......
Hope you like
Ray
(Edited by RayGuselli)
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WeiKhuen
Member
Posts: 405
Registered: Oct 2007 |
Posted January 2nd, 2009 00:47 IP
Very nice painting and I like the way you handle the highlight.
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted January 2nd, 2009 21:27 IP
Waiting for a train
something different....
Hope it works
Ray
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Xrider
Administrator
Posts: 2539
Registered: Feb 2008 |
Posted January 2nd, 2009 21:53 IP
It works very well Ray! Is that your photo? excellent shot.
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted January 3rd, 2009 07:34 IP
Quote:
RayGuselli wrote:
Waiting for a train
something different....
Hope it works
Ray
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Thanks Joe....
Yes, my shot, taken yesterday at Grange Over Sands, Cumbria.
Trying out my new camera...seems a shame to spoil the detail the camera produces but this seemed so apropriate for a try!
Very best wishes
Ray
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JohnW
Member
Posts: 2054
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted January 3rd, 2009 10:02 IP
Ray
Great work you have done on your Station photo.
John
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dan
Member
Posts: 1248
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted January 3rd, 2009 10:53 IP
Excellent manipulation of the Station pic.
Dan
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sylvia
Member
Posts: 2264
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted January 4th, 2009 02:37 IP
Excellent shot, Ray !
Sylvia
Photoshop / Photoshop Elements / Topaz tutorials
http://www.photoart-tutorials.com/
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted January 4th, 2009 11:36 IP
Hi
A few more from my new D300.....just loving the camera but so much to learn!!!!!
Any comments and advice would be appreciated.
Vest wishes
Ray
(Edited by RayGuselli)
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Ronnie
Administrator
Posts: 1483
Registered: Jul 2007 |
Posted January 4th, 2009 13:48 IP
Ray, i can see a lot more detail in your pictures, the new camera looks like its doing its job properly.
Got the Canon 450D for myself and one for my son but i let mine fall and still havent got the thing back yet, seeing you post has got me wanting to get out and take some pictures.
Cheers Ronnie
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RayGuselli
Administrator
Posts: 2692
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted January 4th, 2009 16:45 IP
Hi Ronnie....
I am really sorry to hear about your camera...probably the last thing you need!
At least you have an excellent fallback with your son's camera being the same as yours.
As for the D300 it really is hard to appreciate the clarity until you see a full size image but as you say, it is so much clearer.
It also makes you stop and concentrate a bit more.
One issue....for me, I am more of a retoucher than photographer and I find the manual simply mind-boggling.....OVER 400 PAGES.
I don't know that I will ever understand it all but I suppose it is there if needed!
Thanks for looking really apreciated.
Hope your Canon is soon back and OK
Kind regards
Ray
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Xrider
Administrator
Posts: 2539
Registered: Feb 2008 |
Posted January 4th, 2009 17:33 IP
Ray, excellent pictures I like how you got the entire scene in Furness Abbey and Birkrigg alot sharper & clean image! just remember dont get overwhelmed when you started retouching there was alot to learn there also, just have fun learn as you go 400 pages is alot to read in one night.
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Splitting Pixels :: Your Gallery :: Image Gallery :: [Merged] Ray's Gallery Number 2
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