Hi Donnabird,
I use 2 'L' canon lenses, For me they are unequalled, although I suspect Nikon users may argue. As you say they are expensive. Like most things in life you get what you pay for. I have attached a prttrait of a friend of mine which I took using a Canon 70 - 300mm f4 -f5.6 L lens. Tis may help in your decision. Normanc.

HiAmyvan
Welcome to UHH. Never been to the states ( yet). great to have you on board. A quick point if I may. Lovely picture , however a wider apperture throwing the background out of focus would improve it consideralby....A reflector from below at the models front would have got rid of the shadow under her chin ! I must say, you have a good eye for a picture. I wish you well!. Norman

Hi Jesse,
Norman here again, you say that you love music and art. I too love music. I went my first Ballet in St Petersburgh in Russia a few years ago and I am hooked. Art is my passion (along with Ancient Egypt) and photogrpahy, now, being retired I have all this and the great outdsoors aswell. Life don't get any better. than this !!!!!! Norman

Hi Jesse,
Welcome to UHH, I hope that you will enjoy the experience. You'll find a wealth of experience here with many people only too willing to offer help and advice. I enclose a couple of my photos, lets see some of yours, Don't forget to click the 'store original', then your pics can be opened and people will be able to offer you any help ( should you require it !) you ask for.
Look forward to chatting to you. Norman

Assness bridge in the English Lake district


garden visitor

Hi Kate,
I was a professional wedding photographer for quite a number of years. I agree with all that has been said thus far. Apart from knowing your equipment backwards,are you properly prepared, what about a wet weather alternative for the photos. ( good weather is not guaranteed!) Low light can be a demanding sittuation for even the most experienced photographer,
In your position I would find a local professional, and ask if you could come along as his/her assistant, that way you will learn about the technicalities and pitfalls that are there to catch out the unweary.
It can take quite sometime to become profficient, there is nothing looks worse than photographs that were shot by an enthusiastic ammateur. who didn't fully understand the correct use of light. Plus !!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyones eyes are on you, how do you control 30, 50 80 or may be more guests. After the ceremony, that is when the hard work begins, you may have 30 40 or so pictures to take, lets assume that all the guests are waiting for you to take their pictues and the come to you when asked, you then have to pose them correctly, so, on a good day, lets say 5 mins per shot, if you are taking 40 pictures that is 200 minutes. guests usually completely ignore you they want to speak to the B+G , have a cigarette or a drink. And NOBODY likes to have to wait for the photographer.
I am not trying to put you off wedding photography it can be very enjoyable and rewarding. But please don't try to run before you can walk.. Bye the way love the pics Norman

Thank you very much for your replies. It has been a great help.
It is very much appreciated...Norman

This is the epitomy of good photography. Composition is as about as good as it gets.
I too have used this method , alas nothing yet has reached this standard. Truly an image to be proud of..Absoluely magic!!!!!
Normanc

Can anyone please help.
I wish to purchase Photoshop CS5, I am unsure as whether CS5 will work satisfactorily with a 32bit system. My computer has an Intel core 2 Quad with lots of memory available.
I hope that some of our more knowledgeable friends will be able to give me an answer. Normanc

Hi,
This may not be what you want to hear. However, the latest canon L lenses have a round iris and it is claimed the bokeh is greatly improved, I must admit that I agree, and these lenses are definatley superior to others that I have used. As for your present equipment I hope others, more knowledgable than I, may be able to help more. Norman

A trick I have used in the past where eyes ( human or otherwise) lack sparkle, is zoom in on the eye(s) make a selection within the eye and add a small patch of white via the paint bucket. This adds what you could call a 'catchlight' and generally brings an eye to life so to speak. Hope this helps. Norman

Hi,
I have experience of a similair problem. After a lot of research and questioning people in the know, I was told 'Buy yourself a new printer , and stop being so tight with your money'. I did as was suggested and WOW !, I printed the same photograph with the new printer, and it printed perfectly !. I can't say for certain that your problem is the same, but it could be worth considering if your printer is getting quite old. Firstly I would try printing some test prints using your printers diagnostic mode, this may well answer you question. I use a Epson Stylus photo1400, my old printer, also an Epson, was rather dated and was infact growing grey whiskers..... Hope this helps. Norman

Welcome Chebe,
What can anyone say, a truly superb image!! Just crying out to be published as a Christmas Card or used in a calender , Jan would be ideal.
Hope you enjoy UHH, there are some excellent photographers in here and some quite expert photoeditors..Look forward to seeing a lot more of your work. Norman

Hi Sue,

Welcome to UHH. Seems you're starting off well. Do you own any editing software? , if you do or can obtain software, you will find that you can 'tweek' your photos to get the best out of them.
A point if I may, this photo , it would have been nice to see the faces of the sheep. If you put your focus point on the sheep and exposed for them, I think that you may well have sorted that small problem. The depth of field is excellent and the mist in the bacground is very atmospheric. 30secs with a cloning tool and hey presto you could lose the chimney in the distance. Well done!, this is a cracking photograph you obviously have a good eye, keep it up!

Hi,
As you say 'the golden hour'. a lovely image in exceptional light.
One for the wall I think !

Hi,
I believe that number 2 is a quite remarkable picture. The unobtrusive vinette is done to perfection , the background slightly soft just as it should be., and the detail in the dress is superb. The focus point is where it should be ' on the eyes '. I was Wedding Photographer for a number of years, and was always pleased when I captured images like this. I bet the Bride loves it, the husband too, Lots of orders for re-prints will follow I'm sure!