*OFFICIAL* Snapshot of the Day (one image per post please) #1

[tekmoe]

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by The1

Have you tryed different settings in DxO (if that's what you used this time) like Landscape? Might just bump the saturation subtly enough to make a difference.

I like the picture otherwise, it's a reminder of what I see in Colorado almost every time I'm out that way.

Yes, I've investigated the many DxO presets and routinely use a couple and then modify those slightly.

When I look at this one on my calibrated monitor, it's just right, but when I look at it on my cool-screened Lenovo laptop, it's too cool. Are you looking at it on a laptop? Browsers also make some difference. I think that Chrome is the most accurate.

Dave

[M_Six]

Every year about this time there is a day when I look out at the woods behind the house and think, "Wow, that's really green." It's usually right after a rainy spell like we've been having the past few days. Well today was the day. All the leaves are out in their full glory. The green is overwhelming.

[Chewy734]

what's that little animal in the frame?

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

what's that little animal in the frame?

One of our outdoor cats. They hide down there waiting for some bird to be dumb enough to land on the ground to grab a seed or something.

[Chewy734]

ahh... sneaky.

[gary88]

BMW Roundel by garyhebding, on Flickr

[MaximusJ]

Had some fun with my new lens at today's practice.

[MaximusJ]

[The1]

How are you liking it so far?

[DARK_M3]

Speaking of new lens's, I think I just found mine.

The Canon 135L f2.

[hieu1004]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

.....[image]

Cool paintballing shots. 70-200mm lens, I'm gussing?

Originally Posted by DARK_M3

Speaking of new lens's, I think I just found mine.

The Canon 135L f2.

The 135L is money. One of my top favorites for sure and I rank it up there with my 85L. It's a very unique lens that has amazing bokeh. I sold mine last year and I regret it, lol.

[tekmoe]

[MaximusJ]

Yep; the 70-200 is an amazing lens. Nothing compared to the other lenses I had so far.

For the first time going out with that lens, i'm very happy with the overall sharpness and ease of use; considering the size.

Worth every penny.

[Chewy734]

that's cool... I like the bokeh in the pics you posted.

[MaximusJ]

Yep, at 2.8 its not too creamy (like my 50/1.4) and not too sharp; just perfect.

[hieu1004]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Yep; the 70-200 is an amazing lens. Nothing compared to the other lenses I had so far.

For the first time going out with that lens, i'm very happy with the overall sharpness and ease of use; considering the size.

Worth every penny.

Agreed.

I have the Canon equivalent, 70-200L f/2.8 II and it is a beast (both quality and size, lol). In fact, ever since I got it, I've used my other primes much less. I'm glad you're enjoying yours - it seems to be a perfect lens for paintballing shoots.

[dcstep]

I'll finish with the owl images soon because the owlets will fledge any day now. Here the mom is sitting on three owlets after feeding them a ring-necked pheasant cock:


Mom sitting on owlets after feeding, giving me the eye by dcstep, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Cooper's Hawk Eyes Me at Eye Level:


Coopers Hawk at eye level by dcstep, on Flickr

7D, 500/f4, Av mode, ISO 800, +1EV, f/5.6 resulting in 1/320-sec. hand held.

Vachss and I were talking about diffraction and other issues over in the Night Photography thread. This is an example, taken yesterday, of the box that my priorities gets me into (limiting 7D to ISO 800 whenever possible, hand holding, getting shutter speed up and then lastly using f/8 whenever possible to maximize DOF -- which almost never happens).

Dave

[vachss]

That's a fine shot of the Cooper's. Even with the IS that's really sharp for 1/320th handheld with the 500.

[Chewy734]

awesome shot Dave. Do you usually only click once? Or take multiple shots, subsequently fine-tuning your parameters?

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

awesome shot Dave. Do you usually only click once? Or take multiple shots, subsequently fine-tuning your parameters?

Thanks Chewy and Vachss.

I probably took 20 to 30 shots of this hawk on that particular branch. I shoot in bursts of two or three as the head angle changes, looking to catch an eyelight or intense stare with both eyes or "special" pose. I had so many to chose from that I actually did RAW conversion, cropping and adjustments on about eight. I select the processing cut by looking at in-camera jpegs at full screen and then examine the eyes at 100%, looking for super sharpness. After processing, I'll pick the best one by running a little slideshow several times to see how I react and pick the one that strikes me most favorably. I keep all the processed files on my external HD, but usually use only one.

Dave