But given there's already been one poster above who didn't read my posts properly and then wasted their time with an erroneous response I'll repeat/ clarify my position on the matter ....

I'm all for people learning the technical capabilities of camera equipment, but that's nothing to do with being indoctrinated by 'rules'

Pot and Kettle Smeggy I don't think that anyone is trying to indoctrinate anyone else. You were the first to use the word in this thread! And hopefully what i posted was of help to the OP. It wasn't for you

Sorry I couldnt make it chaps. I had to work in the end (but did get to go on the London eye) and it would have been a long way to drive. Many many thanks for the offers of accomodation i received.... you know who you are

Daniel.

Ah Smeggy

"How do you know what what works for someone else or not? I only know what works for me I wouldn't even think to be so presumptuous as to claim to know what works for someone else"

You are arguing against yourself as it appears you would advise beginners to throw the "rule book" (and I use the term loosely) out of the window and shoot like you do cos obviously thats the way to go. Now presumably you wouldnt advise them to do this if you didnt think it would work for them. So to take this to its logical conclusion you are PRESUMING it would and that would be presumptious non?:

How about this one say a beginner buys a DSLR because he is going on a holiday of a lifetime. Which kind of apporach do you think will net him the shots he is after? what would your advise to him be?

Do you think that following sound general practise in photography yields results that could not be described as Art?

Sorry for all the questions but it appears that you do in fact seem to think that your approach works for many others despite what you are posting.

FOR THE OP :

I do pretty much the same as Bill Barnes I use highlight protection and shadow correction (low or medium)and find this works for me. I also mainly use evaluative metering although centre or spot is useful depending in subject e.g. moon shots with telephoto need spot metering.

I am also a jpeg shooter( shock horror shoot me down )and do some basic post processing on most of my shots.

Daniel

Hi Shaun,

what time are you starting off cos If i come I've got a 5 hour drive ahead of me. Cheers

Dan.

Wow and barring a crazed easyjet/border patrol incident I will be in the country, but its a long way to come from Kent.....although i will have the use of a car. Anyone put me up overnight? I'd love to meet up with some of you

Dan.

same thoughts also in my opinion quicker to focus than 55-300 (AF that is ) and MUCH better for burst shots of moving things like kids sledging, cars etc (in terms of AF accuracy)

I regret selling my metal mount version oh and so small!

Grunge or not? my proccessing is limited since i only have free software
(Excuse!)



grungey by dannyhinczech, on Flickr

Well take a look at all the landscape shots in my gallery for a real world view. I have rarely needed exp comp and I have highlight protection on permanently. How many blown out skys do you see? Yes it happens occasionaly as it does with the other brand of camera I regularly shoot with. I have never personally found it much of an issue and I often shoot scenes with a lot of shadows and highlights.

Hope you reach a conclusion

Dan

Thanks for your efforts Chris. Personally i like having to take a picture for the comp (but then i have time to do it) Uploading and linking pics etc did flummox me for a while but after my first success, twas plain sailing if a little tedious

Dan.

Two Blues Guitarists

two blues guitarists800px by dannyhinczech, on Flickr

Camera Pentax K-r
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 190 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
X-Resolution 96 dpi
Y-Resolution 96 dpi
Software PhotoScape
Date and Time (Modified) 2012:05:19 17:17:22