Thanks again...for me the colour one doesn't work as I want so I'll put a bit more effort into the B&W & see if I can find something I'm completely happy with.

I think my latest edit is a bit too light on the stile/wall & as you mention the sky has lost some contrast with the white areas cloned out.

simon

Thanks George,

Had another go with the dodging & burning with the intention of making the ladder stile & wall more of "satnd out" features, darkened the sky too...perhaps a went a bit OTT though ??

Simon


[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/G107074_mono-1.jpg[/IMG]

After a couple of comments on an image I posted earlier I've had a go at a mono conversion...used the grayscale conversion in CS3 raw tweaked a little & then did a little dodging & burning....to be honest though I've very little experience of mono conversion so any tips/pointers are appreciated

thanks

simon


[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/G107074_mono.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks George, didn't feel quite so fit the day after I did the walk !!

Don't think the 1st shot works so well & really needs decent lighting, I'll revist it on a better day

simon

Just acquired a decent Sigma 10-20 & here are a couple of the 1st shots

Sorry but no blue sky to be seen in these !!

simon


[IMG]http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/images/Tryfan-mountain-glyderau.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/G107169-1.jpg[/IMG]

It's a very good lens for the money, suffers some CA going from pretty obvious to awful depending on the copy you get (mine was awful unfortunately). Only the Pentax 55-300 betters it in the "consumer range", for much more money though

simon

Thanks...

shot 1: Iso 320, F11, 1/200s, 13mm

shot 2: Iso 320, F11, 1/200s, 12mm

shot 3: Iso 320, F16, 1/80s, 14mm

All 3 shots had +0.7 EV


Already learned a couple of things from the 10-20...

1. Foreground is more important than ever & it needs to be close...
2. As a consequence of 1, I need to give Hyperfocal Distance focusing a try next time I'm out - the foreground in 2 especially isn't as sharp as I would like

simon

Took my 3rd copy of the Sigma 10-20 down to Snowdonia yesterday for a bit of a hike & I'm pleased to say it's a good copy...

It will take a little getting used too as foreground detail becomes even more important to maintain perspective when the field of view is so enormous...never realised before just how much more landscape it would capture, I've also noticed in PP that it takes more sharpening than my Sigma 17-70, probably around 50%

here are a few of the shots

simon

For the record I have the same Tamrac Adventure 7 backpack......must admit I never use it when out on a days hiking, I use a "normal" hiking rucksac & put my camera gear in a smaller camera bag inside that. My "normal" rucksac has an internal waterproof liner + the rucksac cover.

I mainly use the Adventure 7 when out sightseeing etc

simon

Best bet is buy a rucksac cover...that's what I use, I've hiked in pouring rain using one without my rucksac getting wet - should be more than good enough to keep the camera gear dry, you can buy them from pretty much all outdoor/hiking shops & they cost around £10

simon