I agree with this and the points made in the posts above.

And although many (including me) probably agree with Kris's view of the most expensive photograph, some might be interested to read that the photographer, Andreas Gursky, is quoted as saying (translated) - "What matters in the final analysis is the image as it stands and not how it was produced".

Philip

Attach your DA 35mm f2.4 to the K-r, and take it along with you. If you are using either a long zoom or wide zoom on the K-30, you will then also have a good quality light-weight set-up with a standard lens available to use instantly, whenever you might need it.

Cheers
Philip

Another vote here for the Pentax 18-135 WR. It might have welded itself onto the K-5 by now - the other lenses have stayed in the cupboard since obtaining this one.

Philip

...OR POLE DANCING

Chris, leave your monitor settings for the time being - I agree that this image is rather flat. It needs a careful boost in contrast and saturation to do the subject justice and bring it out to the viewer.

Philip

Having a science background should be an advantage in any artistic field of endeavour. In photography, for example, an understanding of the physics of light, lenses and the camera sensor, should benefit the production of images that are good in their material quality. But, of course, it must be more than that - science helps to heighten the sense and vision of awe and wonder about everything that exists and happens around us in this world and beyond. Also the appreciation, knowledge and understanding of science neither impede nor negate life's feelings, emotions, mysteries and meanings that an artist tries to portray, rather they can develop and enhance them:

"I can appreciate the beauty of a flower but, at the same time, I see much more in the flower than my artist friend. I can imagine the cells inside, which also have a beauty. There’s beauty not just at the dimension of the centimetre; there’s also beauty at smaller dimensions. There are all kinds of questions that come from a knowledge of science, which only adds to the excitement, mystery and awe of the flower." Richard Feynman, Nobel Prize Physicist.

The difficulty, and hence the skill, will always be to get the artistic and scientific components to harmonise imperceptibly, so that the viewer of the work is given the experience that its creator intended.

Philip

John, the more saturated colours of the 2nd photo look more appropriate for the bright sunny day, so I prefer that one. The image appears to require a slight clockwise correction of orientation, as the mill seems to be leaning over -




Cheers.
Philip

Is it the chapel on the bridge over the River Calder? (I lived in Leeds long ago during my schooldays at Roundhay Grammar School.) If so, I've seen it many times through the windows of a bus or car, but never been there. You have certainly brought out the stonework well.

Philip

Here's a crop of #1 (super shot) to remove the bright bits (top right) and the vignetting branch (top left), and converted to B&W:




Philip

PSP X4 has been reliable for me in a budget (£350) laptop with Windows 7, does all I have needed so far, and includes Raw, B&W conversion, HDR, and tons more that I have yet to learn.

Philip