Agreed Glowingblue! A fascinating new view point of this quite common item. Your stacking technique and processing have worked well there, congrats on this great first effort!

Thanks Gareth & David ... I've got a few more blossom ones, so I'll try some different crops and viewpoints. This Spring has certainly spurred us Pentax shooters into action this year!

Its got a good angle and the little birdy is giving us his best side there.

No, no HDR bizarre colours or chocolate box lids ... just a few little slices of a fresh spring snapped on a visit at the weekend.

K7 & Pentax 'M' 75-150 f4.0



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'Most expensive & feature packed' does not necessarily translate into 'best for all people if they can afford it' either .... camera makers don't only design models within price bands, they consider the what is suitable and most useful for a range of different users as well.

Well, saturation levels are not a rule - its a personal choice, I just felt the yellow and blues were too much. Granted, its an effect that the photographer wanted to exaggerate, but I find it a bit garish and it detracts from the very high technical achievement of the shot.

They absolutely capture the beauty and atmosphere! Both are excellent, but No 1 has that extra drama as the front rolls across.

I think the layout and framing is all great. One small point on No2, I feel the brightness level on the white snow areas (near the middle of the frame in particular), are just a little high for the apparent conditions.

OK, so the WR is important - but what type of 'non-casual' shots would you be interested in? I only ask because I am interested in camera functions and their practical application, and how they relate to camera choices when setting up the menus and preparing a shoot. I have often described a procedure to someone (thinking of my K7) only to find out that the persons camera doesn't allow something I've suggested. But that hasn't always meant that the person should go and get a K7.

It seems you ascribe to the theory that a photographer can get a device with more features and operations than is required at first, but then 'grow into it' over time. I'm not sure if this is valid or practical in reality - it would be interesting to see what others think. Cameras 'grow' through a range generally by offering ever expanding choices to the user, be that AF control, bracketing options, direct control levers, that sort of thing. The question is, at what point do more choices and options start to help a photographer?

Oh come on you lot ... am I really that hard an act to follow ? !

Ideal subject and nicely shot! Are those twirly curls in the foreground just he result of the lens distortion?

I know you're going for the 'max' here - but I think the yellow saturation , and the foreground blue, is just a little OTT.