These are the square ones that you put into a holder.

Thanks for your input.

I have a set of GNDs that I've never used. Finally figured out how to put them on the camera! I normally have a polarizing filter already on my landscape lens. Is it OK to leave it on while using the GND? Or should I switch to the UV filter when I put on the GND?

I've actually been concerned about this very thing since Photoshop first arrived on the scene. Since I "created" in-camera, I felt like those who did their creation on the computer were trading off their creation to the computer programmers. I still feel that way when people use a program to change a picture - eliminate stuff, move stuff, change colors, etc. However, I have come around to where I now use programs to "improve" my pictures (color balance, clarity, sharpness, etc.) In these cases I'm using the program as a tool just as I use an enlarger's settings and normal darkroom tools to make a chemical print. I still draw the line at "changing" the image other than by cropping. But that's my attitude and I'm not saying everyone needs to agree with it.

In one of the juried artist groups I'm in, they actually use two categories. One is standard photography where the ONLY changes allowed are for color balance for a particular printer and density and must be applied to the entire image. In other words, all creativity was done in-camera and the program merely dedicates it for a specific printer's capabilities. The second is "computer enhanced photography" where basically anything goes. The first category gets judged based on the photographer's skill with the camera. The second includes the photographer's skill with the computer programs.

The problem is that it seems a lot of photographers don't want to admit they use computer enhancement on their photos and they enter the standard category when their image is obviously enhanced. That boils down to the integrity of the photographer when entering their images.

I'm not sure about the flash use. I did do some flash pics at Carlsbad, and they were all duds. Most of the formations that made good compositions were pretty far away, and flash would have dropped off before it reached them. The flash pictures I took lack the interest found in the non-flash ones. The way they do the lighting emphasizes forms and shapes and makes things more interesting. Therefore, a long shutter speed rendered better pictures than flash did. One thing I did do, however, was to do some "light painting" with a flashlight. My flashlight wasn't strong enough, but the ranger's light did the trick. Turned out pretty neat.

Love the combination of colors, and of softness and sharpness. Very nice.

If you were the requested photographer, couldn't you have stated that you were in charge and told the other lady to simply step back? But the horrors you describe happen more frequently than you'd expect. Which is why I refuse to do weddings!

Sorry it was such a disaster.

Actually, you're wrong. This is not an "upgrade." You can believe what you want to. It is a Manfrotto ball head and it failed. That doesn't mean I got taken. It means they made something that fell apart.

Truthfully, I resent your attitude.

Manfrotto said it was theirs when I registered it. I have to assume it is.

Do you have to do a tour? Can't you simply go in and go at your own pace? Having lots of people around all the time will certainly hamper your getting the photos you want.

Well, apparently there's going to be some good news from this. I finally heard back from Manfrotto. They've discovered that it's still under warranty and will be replaced. I have to get the broken one to them. Since their repair service is located within driving distance, I may actually be able to do that!

The lady slipper is beautiful!

Taking the color out emphasizes the emotion on the lady's face. When I look at the color one, I'm drawn to the color instead of to her face.

I carried a pro set-up with tripod into Carlsbad just a couple of months ago and no one said a thing. In fact, they were quite helpful! Visitors were pretty nice about my setting up on the path and doing time exposures.

I shot in AV mode and most exposures were 10-20 seconds except in the darkest parts. Their lights really do the work for you.

The ball head carries the Manfrotto brand, and when I registered it with Manfrotto, they recognized it as theirs. It has a number and serial number, I just can't find them.

Bought them while they were on a special deal. Without the special and the trade-in, it would have been double that.