I agree about the bench, but the image has got such potential is it worth reworking it to take the bench out?

Phil

I use ProAm Imaging and never had a problem - competative prices as well, also very quick turn-around. I found it a bit tricky sizing and preparing the images the first time I tried it, but they have pretty good help and advice on their website. Now I find it easy.

I know others who use Loxley and who speak highly of them.

Phil

As others have noted #1 is really intruiging with so many things to look at and try and figure out what is going on! I think I know, but I'm not confident that i'm not entirely wrong!

#2 - nice composition. Did you use one of the Analog Efex pre-sets?

Phil

Go in the week during term-time and it's not too bad!

Phil

Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions - plenty of room for thought!

Phil

Hello and welcome

That's a very good start, and I agree with Nigel about how well it works with the background.

Phil

I've got an "Ex-Pro" 5 in 1 80cm reflector from Amazon - about £15. it has Gold, Silver, Black, White and translucent. Certainly good value as a starter set.

Phil

I'm in two minds about whether or not to get a fast(ish) upgrade from the DAL 18-55 kit lens to compliment my DA 18-135 WR. The latter is great as my standard walk-around lens where it's WR capabilities really add to its usability in all conditions.

What I think that I'm after is something in the 16-70 range, fairly fast - F4 or better, with very good image quality to go with my K-5iiS. It will be used mainly for portraits, family & local community events, often indoors, but also for some landscape work. However, WR is not an absolute requirement.

There seems to me to be lots of options out there - DA* 16-50; DA 17-70; Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 HSM'C'; Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC HSM; Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM; Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 XR Di LD and Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD. What's missing from the list to be considered?

Finally, for this sort of use, am I going to get a great enough improvement in image quality over the 18-135 to justify adding another lens to the collection, or is this just a case of trying to satisfy a LBA?

What's your opinion?

Phil

Carl

Very dramatic lighting which I think works really well. However, I think that cropping a little off the top would take it from being an interesting and attractive image, to one that was really striking.

Phil