This is not quite on-topic, because I didn't use a long release for these.

But I thought you may be interested in some photos I took in my garden, on a Z-1P triggered with a standard cable switch F. I still need to sort out the colour balance, which was screwed up by the poor lighting at the time.

I hope the URL works:

http://www.barrypearson.co.uk/photography/temp/tit_fight.htm

Thanks Matthew. I've ordered it from them.

I like the Eagle!
http://www.pbase.com/image/1901329

The crab's name is Sally - Sally Lightfoot! I'm sure she appreciates the compliment.

The extended Cable Release F has now arrived and works - thanks. By itself it will allow me to be about 6 or 7 yards from the camera. I intended to make a coupling between it and my air-bulb-release, which will extend the range to about 13 yards.

I want to position my Z-1P (or failing that my SFXn) perhaps 10 yards away then trigger it on demand to photograph wildlife.

I have a cable switch F, but that is only about one yard. I have an enquiry with Pentax UK to see if this can be extended to 10 yards or more, but their expert is not available until the new year.

I am checking to see whether I can link an old-fashioned air-bulb-release to the F, but would like to know of alternatives. Views?

Apart from what has already been said, spend a lot of time looking at photographs that others, who may be expected to be good judges, think are good.

Then try to identify what you like and dislike, and what they like and dislike, and why.

I spent quite a bit of time attending workshops, etc, for people who are thinking of getting distinctions with the RPS. I got to see quite a bit of LRPS, ARPS and FRPS material. I also got to show my own, and get comments on it.

One thing I find very useful is movies - perhaps the major films. They sometimes have a slow shot or two at the start of a major new scene, to set the context before the action starts. These slow shots are often examples of superbly-composed photographs (forget the fact that they also move). They have all the advantages of top photographers at top locations, often in super lighting conditions, but before they have to concentrate on the story and action instead. They are especially, but not only, good for landscapes.

I have what used to called "Photography Year Book", now "AAPPL Yearbook of Photography and Imaging", going back decades. When I got one for Christmas 2002, I had to withdraw the landscapes I was about to put on my web site and reprocess them all to get closer (still way off) to the expectation set by this book.

I echo the comment about Adams, etc. If you are interested in landscapes, it can be a good idea to buy books locally when you are on your travels. You find photographs by people who have made every opportunity to understand the area and find the best light. (A bit depressing if you then compare them with your own).