You don't need a grid to work out your composition, that's like painting by numbers. You should be able to do it just by using your eyes. If it looks right then it is right.
David

A very nice set indeed. I particularly like No.2 for what appears to be a telephoto shot putting the train in its environmental context and No. 5 which shows the driver greasing the loco with whispy steam behind him.
David

I love the Weekly Competitions and have been entering them for almost two years now. Some peope have complained they are cliquey but that's nonsense. They are open to each and every one of the 10,000+members of PU but God help the judge if they all entered at once.
A lot of new people enter and quite a few have won as first time entrants.
David

I can't comment on the relative handling of current Pentax vs Nikon/Canon digital models but I had limited experience of the merits of the comparable Pentax and Nikon film cameras.
In my newspaper days I was a a reporter not a photographer but I did carry camera gear for those occasions where no photographer was available. I sometimes used my own ME Super and at others a Nikon FM2 from the office. The Nikon was clunky, heavy and despite its solid feel was not as sturdy or well finished as the Pentax.
I can understand why professional photographers like pressmen use Canon and Nikon, that's because the high end models costing more than most amateurs can justify, have features more suited to action photography. They offer faster and longer lenses and better frames-per-second performance.
But at entry and advanced amateur level I haven't been impressed with what I've seen of the Canon and Nikon models used by my camera club friends, particularly the Canons.
Pentax cameras have always been ergonomically superior and Pentax lenses are as good as the best from the opposition.
David

Ian, the Siggie 10-20mm is a superb wide angle lens. But when using it for landscape or panoramic views like this remember wide angle shots work best with a strong focal point in the forground. A wide angle lens gives you good depth of focus so you can add impact to your image by having something eyecatching close by while retaining detail in the distance. Your Chester-le-Street picture would be much stronger with forground interest, say a heavy roller or groundsman with his mower.
David

I firmly believe drug abuse occurs in many sports but it often remains hidden. Cycling has much stricter controls therefore more people get caught out and that attracts wider publicity.
David

He wasn't only a great conductor, he was inspirational to generations of singers and orchestra musicians.
David.

The mono version does it for me. It's in the style of He Who Must Remain Nameless.
David

Much as I like mono photos in this case I prefer the colour version. I think the black and white picture looks too harsh.
David

A very enjoyable set of pictures Andrew, you've selected a good cross section to paint a picture of this remarkable Welsh industry.
David