I resisted the change to a subscription service for Lightroom but a couple of things changed that: last year having got 300+ photos accepted for Adobe Stock I get the photography package free for a year. That includes Lightroom, Photoshop (which I use rarely and struggle with), and a couple of other bits of software, but most importantly Portfolio. This is a website service with which you can have up to five separate websites included in the package which was fortuitous as my business website provider closed down this year; so, for around a tenner a month I will have my business website, my photography website, plus the aforementioned software. You would struggle to get decent websites alone for that price so even when my sub starts in January the software is effectively free.

There are some features on Lightroom unavailable on the one-off purchase which are quite a game-changer, like luminance, texture, dehaze, and I use them on nearly every process plus some new ones I haven’t learned yet.

I still have one of these I bought new, it still has some film I put in a couple of years ago so you are inspiring me to go out and finish it! Fortunately you can still get the batteries.

One of the benefits of a full frame for your subject matter is the wide dynamic range, being able to pull details out of shadows without noticeable noise. I don’t know the technical reasons but I gather that the larger the sensor the better it’s dynamic range and noise handling. Whilst the 24-70 is an excellent lens and a worthy workhorse a lighter alternative would be one or two primes like the f2.0 35mm.

Thanks David, a competition would give you a lot more scope for something imaginative, Art UK unsurprisingly have well defined criteria as these are documentations but as long as those are covered an extra photo or two in a more creative treatment is welcome. They are always looking from volunteers from competent photographers to cover local areas if anyone is interested, click on the link in my first post and go to contacts; it is sculptures in open public spaces they are interested in, not those in galleries nor collections.

Thanks David, I missed the dragonfly so I will do it shortly. There are sites I get directed to for lists of sculptures but not all are there, similarly google produces some only so I am not surprised there may be one or two I missed. I was told of the metal sculpture for instance in the first image whilst chatting to someone as I photographed another, and a number in Jephson Gardens I only came across whilst walking around. As for the Conley Ford one that is probably outside Warwick District but I will check to make sure.

The organiser has asked if I would cover Rugby District now but I am thinking about that as it is a bit further. Being local means I can pop back if conditions are not right but 20 mile trips are more time consuming, although I do get expenses paid. OTH if the Lake District or Cornwall is up for grabs....!

Over the last few weeks I have been taking record photos for Art UK link a national charity compiling an online directory of all art in the UK including those in galleries and museums. The brief was for specific angles, details and a wider view of the settings, as well as completing an Excel spreadsheet as a record of the locations etc. My designated area is sculptures in public spaces within Warwick District, here is a small selection:





















Happily all my photos have been well received, thanks for looking.

Or in the case of first husband the buying of a drum kit for the lad’s birthday!

I really cannot fathom why a camera repairer is unable or unwilling to service every make of camera; ok there is a difference between mirrorless and DSLR/SLR/rangefinders but within those categories they are pretty much all built the same way.

The rear screen will show your custom choice but the actual file in RAW is the original unprocessed version. I tried a black and white shot and found the same result, with the RAW file in colour and the jpg version on the second chip in b/w.

Excellent quality and colour, I wonder if my K1 will still be this good in 60 years!