It does sum up quite nicely the features of Rainham Marshes though - an area of marshland in an otherwise fairly built-up area. Pylons, railways and dual-carriageways are inescapable. I like the composition of that shot, but yes, the lighting wasn't ideal (not sure it ever has been when I've been down there).

Dan

I was torn between the second and third options, but Spider's answer summed it up for me.
I usually shoot a subject from various angles, even if I think the first one's 'the one', because you never know...

Also, I was shooting a stately home at dusk the other week, and took 43 photos over 75 minutes, and one of them was, for me, ideal as far as the exposure was concerned, with the correct balance of light in the sky, light on the house, and floodlight. I wouldn't want to do that with one shot.

Dan

Here's Elements 8 for less than £40!
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/198812

Dan

Just realised I meant to say I quite liked the look of Shadwell Wood for the Oxlips. Popping up there this afternoon, so will be passing through Saffron Walden in an hour or so. Depending on time etc, I may go on to West Wood.

Dan

Shame to hear that Kris, I was looking forward to meeting you. Next time then...

Thanks for that Jon, I'll bring my tripod too then.

Dan

Has anyone had any problems using a tripod around the South Bank? Would rather not have to balance the camera on convenient walls/bins/people, but if using a tripod's likely to cause problems, I won't bother bringing it.

Dan

I think this debate has probably run its course now, we don't want to see exchanges getting any more pointed.

Dan

To be honest it seems like the guts of a K-7 inside a bigger body. I don't mean that as a bad thing, I'm sure it's meant that Pentax can finally bring the thing to market, at a good price. Ken Rockwell's 'review' does just seem laughable, like he's looked at a picture of it and made up what he assumes the camera's going to be like.

It's quite clear from the photo below that it has all the external controls you could realistically ask for.




Dan

Tim,

You'll notice from the reserves map that there aren't so many your way, for some reason nearly all of the Visitor Centres and most of the reserves are south of the A12, guessing it has something to do with the population, and access to funding.

I also notice that there are only about 60 sites on the map, whereas the Trust looks after nearly 90 sites...

Anyway, can I recommend one your way? Unfortunately not, I don't think I've been to many up there. Just on the southern outskirts of Bishops Stortford is Rushy Mead, a small reserve of meadows, water and wet woodland. I've been there once, and there were lots of bees there, as well as some small moths with very long antennae, but that's about as much as I can remember. On the way home from there I stopped off at Sawbridgeworth Marsh, which had orchids, butterflies, irises, but again quite a small reserve. No shops though, or play equipment.

I quite like the look of West Wood, but having never been there, I can't say what it would be like photographically, but I'm tempted to go there soon for the Oxlips.

If you want larger reserves with a few more creature comforts, then head for one with a Visitor Centre. Bedfords Park, Thorndon Park, Hanningfield or Fingringhoe would be my suggestions here, or if you wanted to drop off the wife and child at Lakeside, you could pop into Chafford Gorges, although I think this is at its best in summer, when there are loads of dragonflies and damselflies there.

Dan

Always good to hear!

See you on Saturday, Cedric.

Dan