I've already done a mono conversion of one of the sequence I took at Hexham, #2. I didn't want to overload the thread by submitting too many shots but I may add the black and white later.
David

Great set Gary. I love the graphic lines of the lighthouse and your mono converison. How on earth did you get so close to that bird, there's lovely detail in there. The curved earth picture demands attention.
David

Its a close call between the colour and the mono. I agree with Gwyn about the flare from the sun. Tim is correct in suggesting a crop to get rid of it, there is still enough interest and detail lower down the image. Its a picture well worth playing around with to improve the crop.
David

Thanks for your comemnts all. Gareth, the juxtaposition of the first picture was accidental. The language from some of the phtographers there was rich when that electric express got in the way.
David

When I go out on a local shoot, say around Newcastle or Durham, these days I nearly always travel light with just one body and lens. For street photography its usually the DA*50-135 but for architectural or abstract pictures I select the DA*16-50 or sometimes the Sigma 10-20mm.
I don't like carrying a heavy camera bag all day. Apart from weight considerations your reactions to are quicker if you are not cluttered with equipment and bags.
When we met at Whitby for the Goths I left the camera bag in the car and carried two bodies and two lenses. It was easy to go back to the car park to change batteries, lenses or memory cards.
David

Of the three I find this latest shot the most successful. There is enough space round your granddaughter's face and the contrast has improved.
BTW I would never shoot mono in camera. If you shoot in colour you can always convert to B+W later. If you shoot in B+W you can't convert back to colour. Or can you? Some tehcnical expert on here might say you can.
David

These look good to me Barrie. I sepcially like the abstract shots.
Is your picture of the Blyth Harbour wind turbines shot on this too?
David

Duchess of Sutherland at Durham
[IMG]http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy273/Davidtrout2/DuchessDurham90849086_2.jpg[/IMG]

Duchess at Hexham
[IMG]http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy273/Davidtrout2/DuchessHexham9104.jpg[/IMG]

At Langwathby
[IMG]http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy273/Davidtrout2/DuchessLangwathby45274531_1.jpg[/IMG]

At Kirkby Stephen
[IMG]http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy273/Davidtrout2/DuchessKirkbyStephen9129.jpg[/IMG]


The 1930s express steam loco Duchess of Sutherland ran the Citadel Express from York to Carlisle via Durham and Newcastle and back via the Settle and Carlisle Railway on Saturday. I set out to grab shots at four locations on the circular route, starting near home in Durham.
It gave me a round trip of around 150 miles and some hectic driving.
Worst moment was at the first location, Durham Station, when a southbound high speed electric train partly blocked the view for photographers just as the Duchess came through at around 75mph.
My poorest pictures were at Langwathby in Cumbria when I attempted panning instead of taking straight shots.
My final location was at Kirkby Stephen where I got ahead of the train with just two minutes to spare when the Duchess stopped for water at Appleby. The result was a sequence of action pictures of one of the fastest and most powerful steam express engines ever built in Britain. It is due to be taken out of service soon for major servicing, including boiler checks.

Don't forget to include your EXIF details.
David

This is your opportunity to comment on the current fortnightly competition.