With RAW files you HAVE to convert them before dumping onto Bucket/Flikr etc. You can set the parameters for writing the jpeg on the camera to save post processing. Some folks don't even crop before downloading to Bucket and Bucket also resizes the jpeg if it's too big.

My problem is that I need RAW to cover up the mistakes I'm hopeless at getting the correct exposure an that's where RAW really comes into its own


I'm also guilty of taking too many pics but now have the camera set to single shot - not 'machine gun' mode Then my policy is to keep 10% or less.

I'm also never satisfied at how my pics turn out.

Al

Fair point, I guess. I forgot that not everyone would import into an app such as LR or Aperture or whatever.

Edd

Exposure seems to be a huge problem with my photos. Just lately, it seems to overexpose everything and I have to manually set it down one or even two stops. Then some start turning out underexposed. Even with a couple of jpegs and Windows Photo Gallery, I've just managed to brighten two pictures, one of which is otherwise great (even if I do say so myelf) in most other respects.

Here it is- Splash One of the advantages of a DSLR- instant takes.

For this one, with photo-gallery again, I just livened the colours a little.

Chutes

And last of all, because this isn't my thread- I was interested by the fact that enhancing the colours on this one brought out the colours of the leaves as it looked pretty flat in the original format. I almost wondered whether it might be better in black and white, but I'm pleased with it now.

Can't think of a name

This has really shown me that it is worth playing around with my pictures and thanks all for the input (even if it wasn't all aimed at me )

Some lovely photos there, especially the ones of waves in Giant's Causeway and Ballintoy(brings back memories).

Would have liked to see more of the night scene at the waterfront, especially the fish.

How do you get the effect in Perspective Nick?

Is that by selecting a focus point?

Sort of; generally I use focus-and-recompose with the center focus point, which is more sensitive than the off-centre points. I focused on the grass heads to make sure they were sharp, then recomposed the shot so that the wall was in the centre. At 300mm the depth of field is quite shallow anyway, so even at f/7.1 (which I picked so that all the grass heads were in focus, not just the one I pointed at) the rest of the wall would be thrown out of focus. The lens has nice bokeh too, which helps!

The other guy that came with us on the North Coast tour has put his images up on Flickr and you can view them here.

Mark

Nice camera he's used there! (8-p)

Edd

I think that's a great shot. The lighting could be better, but that isn't easy. You've got the focus perfectly on the eyes though, and the depth of field is spot on for a portrait photo like that IMO.

It's not something I'm great at either, though taken a few good ones by chance.

excellent set of pix.....ya must have driven past my house at one point I'd imagine from the setting of them!!

Nick,

Which lens did you use for the wide angle shots (esp "Up" and the one of the pillar/stone/thingy)? Also what camera do you have?

He uses a Canon EOS 5D MkII. He'll have to tell you about the lens.

Mark

Is that a full frame?

No wonder you got such a wide angle.

I'd have to use a 5mm lens to get soemthing like those pics.

Very nice photo set though!

Oh yes. Full frame all the way.
The lens he used was set to 21mm.

Mark

Yes, Mark is correct - a 5D mark II, which is full frame (as, indeed it Mark's Nikon D3). The wide angle lens I used is a Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L II.