Pleased with catch lights and no glasses reflections. A bit crude in the B&W curves I know but learnt loads doing this brief shoot. Now I "know" the difference between broad and short lighting and how look at a face before lighting

thanks folks, to be clear - I dont want the cheapest I want something that is serviceable for a non-Pro like myself. Simple robust folding (no tri-fold) and decent stitching in clean white fabric is all I am after. If I have to be paying for Bowens or Lastolite then so be it. If Westcott is "good enough" I will go there

The £5 Ebay stuff seems to be a waste of money as the quality is so low, even basic stuff like the stitching can be unravelling straight out of the bag (from what I read on "reliable" sources like the internet . . .)

- some "brands" seem to be pretty much cheap Ebay offerings without the cheap. Pro line seem to be one of these, I was hoping Kood werent - though their website leads me to think they probably are

As I understand it Calumet stuff is just rebranded Manfrotto etc, no idea who's umbrellas they are re-branding though

thanks to threads and folks on here I have now purchased most of my first proper strobist set up - but I cant decide on my final item - what Umbrellas to get?

For sure I want 'shoot through' first, but which ones? I went to Calumet to look at their big Lastolite cheapy but the staff were a bit hopeless, so looking at ebay

I am wary of unbranded ebay stuff (and dont like tat) but am veering towards a 33" Kood (and maybe a 24" Kood for macro/outdoor) as an option

any views?

PS
(already dismissed ProLine for poor quality)

Hope it is ok to list this, it has only ever been on a Pentax

Having a clear out of old bits and pieces and found a whole bunch of Cokin P filters - I don't recall ever actually using this one

The filter looks as good as new but the case isn't pristine




open to a sensible offer

err, strictly no (afaik)

Adobe turned off the product activation for CS 2 in Dec 2012 but to enable legitimate users to keep their products working they have made available an 'activation free' version - you can only download and use this if you have a valid CS2 licence because if you try to use your original discs for an install, the install tries (and then fails) to validate

link

thanks Chris

does the receiver come with a hot shoe and tripod fitting underneath? Or adaptors to enable both?

I have done some research and hope to get an Ares wireless trigger set later this year - but - I would like the flexibility to attach the remote flash to a hot shoe or a tripod thread

Phottix tell me it comes with "all necessary adaptors" so I am wondering if we have any users here who can confirm what that means or what it is readily capable of . . .

This may be old news to others but only found out today that the amazing 90mm is re released on 28th April 2010 having been announced in Feb. Not got a price yet but I know I want one

http://www.cameraquest.com/Voigt_SL2.htm#NEW_90/3.5_SLII_

oops, should have checked my facts. Robert White have them listed at £395 in PKA - now what can I sell to raise that kind of money . . .

I love cheap lenses and would go for the 50mm if you have a use for it.

Not sure the Miranda is worth anything myself though, might not even sell on ebay. For £5 it might be fun if its clean enough

For £20 or less ebay try a Tamron Adaptall 80-210 103A with mount - a pretty good lens made by the lorry load. Lots about, so hold out for a good one - its my fave 80mm portrait lens

great question - been pondering it for quite a few minutes with a glass of Jura . . .

my pictures are most definitely affected by the photography I see and experience, but it is unclear to me who specifically I would look to

the local library has given me access to many dozens of classic photo books (as has the University library) but there are few names that stand out for me - but there are many images. Some I will remember for ever (the young girl in Vietnam running won the road just after a napalm attack for instance).

But it is others that have inspired my picture taking:

The afghan girl and her eyes (taken one or two of my kids with real emotion, but not like that one).
The chap carrying a picture wrapped in brown paper across the road in a post war ruin somewhere (a single picture telling an enigmatic story, utterly amazing).
The picture of a fir tree under the great falls in Yosemite (by Dewitt Jones, but I know that cos I use his videos on my work) that inspires different perspectives on familiar objects/places/spaces
etc

If there is one name I have to say has influenced me it is Cartier-Bresson and his "decisive moment". Every time I pick up my camera that phrase crosses my mind and that is what I hope/wait for

Curiously, my other big influence is flickr. Few great names but endless innovation and inspiration. If I am bored with photography I just go there and poke around some of the groups - wow, so many people are just so amazing and so creative it is quite humbling