I like it. :)

On a completely different note, have you ever stopped to really consider the conundrum of the 1.6 multiplier and how it plays havoc with what the mm readings on the lenses show?

For instance, the 1.6 multiplier leads you to believe that 35mm on the lens is actually 56mm. And it is true, to a degree. If you take two photos, one with your 20D set to 35, and the other with a normal SLR set to 52, the frame crops will be the same, but the compositions will not be the same. The reason why is due to the way wide-angle and telephoto perspectives change how flat the image appears.

A more extreme example of the effect is seen when you take a photo of something with a 300mm lens and another photo of the same object with a 28mm lens, keeping the subject the same size in both images. The effect of the higher zoom is to compress the depth of the image, making things far away and behind the subject appear much closer than they are.

Just something to think about. I've been noodling on the concept for several weeks. Because it really does make a difference in an image.

Oh. My. Goodness. This is remarkable. No long, deep analysis. It's just incredible. Hang it in a gallery. Print it in a book. Give it to me! Really remarkable.

This looks like a mish-mash of various Blackpool images. This is both a good and a bad thing; it's not a great composition but the overall effect of all these images is nice, and the fact you captured all this in one shot is hugely impressive. And I like the slight colourisation. Well done!

wow. simply beautiful.

I like this picture for its inherently 'photographic' quality - camera type, even whether film or digital, is of no real importance here. What intrigued me was your comment: 'my old G5 was a way easier camera to blog with'. I'm curious as to why you feel that way, why the camera design affects your ability 'to blog', and why you, with your obvious eye for a picture and command of technique, should feel less confident with this SLR than you did with the G5? Is it in any way connected with the feeling that now you have a real 'serious' camera (i.e. expensive, and needing justification!)

A swell image indeed. There is plenty of things of interest for the eye. It's not something I would hang on my wall but a great one for a coffee table book. The foreground blurred portion is just prominent enough to force my eye to focus directly upon it. This detracts a bit from the over all effect. The picture is segmented enough to appear as if a window to multiple places all at once. I always enjoy pictures of people who are not aware of the camera, nor looking directly at it. Did you have to correct any keystoning with this image? For a close up you managed to get nice straight lines... no towers tipping precariously inward. Also, how did you achieve the color? Is it the 20D sepia mode or a photoshop adjustment? On my monitor it looks like a very subtle sepia rather than B&W or standard sepia which adds a likeable somber drama.

"... and why you, with your obvious eye for a picture and command of technique, should feel less confident with this SLR than you did with the G5?"

Because the G5, despite all its faults, didn't get in the way of me taking a shot: I knew its limitations, to the point where they were second nature, and I could 'see' the shot as I took it. With the 20D there are numerous thoughts that get in the way - "must remember that this viewfinder has only 95% coverage" (whereas the G5's LCD was 100% or near enough), "should I check the DoF?" (there was no need with the G5, nearly everything was always in focus ;-)), and so on. I suppose that things feel less than instinctual at the moment - that I'm monitoring my efforts in a way that I didn't have to do before. I'm sure that will change, but at the moment it feels somewhat alien and cumbersome.

HuskyDSL: In effect, this isn't really a close up as the plane of focus is effectively about 6' from the lens. This was shot into one of those revolving carousels for displaying, in this instance, glass ornaments. It's about 10 inches across and the sides are covered with small rectangular mirrors. So, no, there wasn't a problem with keystoning. As for the colour: I colorised it with a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer: Hue=45, Saturation=14.

Once again a great image. Although, I am distracted by the area on the far right of the image that has much less distortion. When I hold something in front of the screen to block that area I like the image even better.

First, about your image. It's not the usual image that you can appreciate when quickly flipping through web pages, but it's one that will keep your interest for quite some time. I tried one quite similar awhile back (I've put the link with my name) and found that I had a couple of highlights that were overpowering. After I fixed those, then I liked it much better. I love your tone/coloring and I think it adds to it. Overall, I think the picture works well and I enjoyed it. It's much, much better than my attempt.

Second, about your DSLR. I fully understand what you're saying. I'm new at digital stuff (both digital-camera, blogging, and post processing) but not new to photography. All in all, I believe there's so much to think about that it's counter productive. I remarked that it was a month before I made a picture that I was very proud of, which caused a friend to remark "Maybe you're trying too hard." It was good advice and helped a lot.

But, I'm very much considering getting a smaller camera for "walking around". More than anything, just smaller and less obvious.

Very interesting!
Great work :0)

Absolutely stunning image. The depth and layers are fanstastic!

Dave

I went through the same process when I upgraded from a low-end film SLR to a Nikon D70. Taking photos with a new camera creates new complexities...different lens focal lengths, the multiplier effect not to mention the thousands of options the new camera has that the old one didn't. It took me time to get used to where everything is positioned on the camera body- for the first while I ended up taking the camera away from my eye to change the settings...I takes time to become confident with a new camera and how the shots will turn out. This only comes with experience and by todays shot, it seems your well underway!

nice shot, dave, i think you are adjusting nicely to the slr. try blogging with film if you're looking for a challenge. ;D

out of interest. is that your reflection centre right, and have you dodged the camera away. anyway, I like.

this is my favourite photo of yours since you switched cameras i think. as others have noted the colour is really nice. and i love the fact that as you look at the photograph, different subjects and aspects of the photograph emerge.

It's an inspiring and story telling picture... I like it

Dave, upon first glance I wasn't all that impressed. Then I looked at it closer as you suggested and all the images started coming together.

It's a very interesting image when you look it closely.

As for your SLR learning curve. You are doing really well. In due time it will feel like second nature.

I agree with Ian, I think you should try your hand at film.

Jason: when I manage to get my head around your point about the multiplier I'll get back to you. I think I know what you mean though.

Russ: I can see what you mean, but, for me at least, that area of the image provides the context for the rest of it - if that makes sense.

ian: no thanks ;-)

Steve: no, that isn't me. I think that I'm partially visible in the dark area to the left of the person you're referring to.

photojunkie: no thanks too ;-)

I love, love, love your photos. They are so rich. *jealous!*

Blogging with film is a major PITA. Fun though. Try it Dave, you know you wanna. :-)

I love the chaos of the image and the the lone girl in the image. And this works so well in the sepia tone!