No one seems to like that last picture but I think it has potential. Work on it in PS, crop in closer and you might end up with a dramatic low key, rim lit, semi silhouette portrait that would look very attractive. But then I'm not a portrait photographer so I have to bow to people more expert than me on lighting technique.
david

If you've got a K10 you are not being hampered by your gear Bluewhistle. I can't speak for the Sigma 18-50mm as I've never used one but you'll find a large number of people on here use the K10 and turn in some great photos with it. It can be noisy, but up to 800iso easily controlled.
A lot of cameras struggle to focus in low light but it does get easier to cope with after practise. You don't say what type of photography you mostly do, that could decide what lens you should go for.
david

Look forward to meeting you at next year's Goths Festival Ralf.
David

[IMG]http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy273/Davidtrout2/Anyoneforadip.jpg[/IMG]
A belated entry from our trip to the Goths Festival at Whitby. Why is a goth in the swimming baths? One of life's little mysteries.
David

Thanks for the comments. The place is so overwhelmingly crowded with graves and tombs that I think I was like a kid turned lose in a candy factory - I lost all sense of objectivity and wasn't totally focused on where to point the camera. I submitted this picture because of it's architectural appeal, same shapes but different scale, to the modern towers at La Defense where I spent a lot of my time in Paris.
Ralf: The light was flat and I had to overwork the contrast in Photoshop.
RR: Its a straight desaturation job in the RAW converter, the above mentioned contrast adjustments might have given it that semi IR appearance.
Kris, yes I agree the shot is too crowded.
Mike: I tried different crops, but didn't find one I was too comfortable with.
Joe: Didn't see Jim Morrison's grave but there are thousands in there.
George: Thanks, a fan at last. The place had a strange affect on me, all those dead famous people.
I came away knowing I hadn't got a killer shot despite making many images, but I was determined to get at least one usable picture out of it. I was happy I found the grave of one of my musical heroes, Hector Berlioz, and found an Irish pub nearby where they did wonderful bangers and mash which raised my spirits.
david

PS: Joe, the picture was taken in early June, this year.

One of a series of pictures I made in the Cimetiere de Montmartre, Paris, where many of the city's leading citizens are buried, such as musicians, engineers, poets and politicians.I think this works better in black and white than colour.[IMG]http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy273/Davidtrout2/Neighboursineternityver2.jpg[/IMG] C+C welcome.

I knew that even if you did see my comment Belinda that you are experienced enough as a photographer and judge not to be swayed. I would have been more circumspect if the judge had been a first timer.
david.

Ha ha just spotted you missed a bit Barrie. The engine and train numbers are spot on but the 5A depot code for the loco has become 2A in your version.

That is one cracking shot Ralf. Visually beautiful and symbolically poignant. Hope Belinda doesn't read this or I might be accused of trying to influence the judge.
david

Crikey Barrie, that simple. That's another Photoshop trick in the bag.
Thanks everyone for your comments.
david