Thanks Don and fatspider.

Yes these were shot "in the wild". Danny and I like going out on Sundays to satisfy our photography urges and we usually end up at a stately home (we're National Trust members) or somewhere out in the countryside. I always try to photograph flowers at these places, and have only recently started photographing series of the same plant with a view to selling them. I am still learning new techniques so all your comments will come in handy on the next trip out.

I just might give the buying flowers and experimenting at home a go. I already have different coloured card to use as a backdrop and I have a small reflector too - why didn't I think about that before?! I will take all the comments on board and hopefully the next series I post will be much better!

Fiona

Hi fatspider,

Thanks for your take on the photos. I definitely take your comments on board. I'm always on the lookout for perfect specimens - shame there aren't too many around!! I'm still hopeful that the company in question may appreciate them (I saw far worse examples on their website of photos that they already have on their books), but I know that is no excuse to submit sub-standard images.

I am constantly on a learning curve and will take your advise to hopefully produce better results in the future.

Thanks,

Fiona

Wow, you really were waiting for someone to say that - that was a quick reply!!

Maybe it's just me but I didn't find the programme that useful.

There was a mention of lighting (natural light), composition (no rocket science there), and a non-fussy background (er... der). The only mention of the rule of thirds was that one of the guinea pigs happened to capture someone infront of a bookcase where the shelves split the photo into thirds - that's where I've been going wrong with the rule of thirds all these years - no bookcase in the background! No mention of light metering at all (I thought that was important with portraits), and I wasn't that impressed with the final images.

And don't even get me started about not looking through the viewfinder!!

I will keep watching the series in the off-chance I might learn something - you never know, stranger things have happened.

In true Gadget Show style, I give tonight's show 1G out of a possible 5Gs.

Fiona

Hi,

Wow, it's been a while since I posted on here! I've decided to bite the bullet and try to sell my photos. I have emailed low-res versions of the ones below (plus others) to a company who specialises in providing artworks for corporate buildings, hotels etc. I am waiting to hear back from them so in the meantime, let me know what you think...

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2.



3. (also sent as a square crop)



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9.



All C&C welcome - good and bad.

Thanks.

Fiona

Sheila?

So as to not get into a pointless discussion with Stephan I am just going to suggest the iPhone.

I have owned and used the original iPhone and now the 3GS (which I am using to write this reply). The keyboard is nice and big, with bigger keys than a lot of phones with physical keyboards.

I have never used an Android phone, and probably never will now that I have my iPhone. However, I am not saying that my choice is "right", just that is works for me.

Oh, Stephan, prosthetics tend to be made from silicone rubber or have a rubberised coating these days, promoting better grip, and incidentally (although not deliberately) helping with the use of touch screens.

Although those with plastic hands/fingers can apply a padded plaster and have the same success.

Fiona

I think what you have captured there is a Sandpiper. Sanderlings are slightly smaller with shorter beaks, and have mottled markings on their backs and wings for most of the year. See, I knew being a member of the Young Ornothologists Club during my childhood would come in handy one day!

Nice shot by the way, I like the detail in the foaming water around it's legs.

Fiona

So, anyway... about the iPad...

Any takers?!

Fiona

Stefan, have you tried any Apple product? Have you been in an Apple store and just had a play with everything on display? From your responses, I don't think you have. For that matter, have you ever been in a Microsoft shop? Do they even exist?

Firstly to explain about the book reader on my iPhone: when I open the book, the further I tilt the phone, the faster the page scrolls (this allows me to read a book with one hand, and say, drink a cup of coffee with the other).

The argument about Apple being in charge of everything they do: is a great concept to me, and one that you choose to buy into or not. I love the fact that they have created an operating system that is so secure it does not require anti virus software to be installed by the user. Microsoft on the other hand, have somehow "brainwashed" the masses into thinking that it's ok to have an operating system that is not secure and requires YOU to buy/install extra anti-virus once you've got your product home. If you were sold a house that had no locks on the doors or windows, and a burgler lurking outside, would you not complain? So why not complain about an operating system that is suseptable to viruses?