Thanks. I'll give them a go.

Chris

I was sent this picture by my Mum, was taken on the Staten Island ferry when she visited NYC a couple of years ago...but what kindda bird is it?

Chris

really?

Thanks for the reply, Yes I think that was my problem - I was too close.

not a bad idea John but would suggest you also list the places of interest. I would also stress the North Wales bit, if you're into landscapes....

Thanks for all the input guys. It actually was a bit harder than expected but in the end I think all of the members amanged to get something passable. I'll download the image I got from my camera later and post up as an example.

Chris

I have heard of astronomers using the technique too.

as I said in the OP there is combinezp which is free s/w

I'll try.....

You take multiple photos of the same thing from the same point in the same light but you spot focus on different areas of the subject (I was trying on a bowl of fruit) You then use some software (PP, PSE, LR - all rubish at stacking) - I use combinezp, to put them all into a layer. The idea being that you then get a photo with all the aspects in sharp focus.

Its a bit like HDR but with the focus (sic) on focus rather than exposure.

Chris

My local camera club is doing photo stacking at tomorrows meeting so I thought I'd have a quick bash at home first but I hit a problem in that my EOS20D really wouldnt spot focus very well. I was using an 17-135 lens at about 55mm from quite close so I'm thinking there wasnt enough of a focus difference for the lens to work with.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Chris

The train was quite crowded, so a U. S. Marine walked the entire length looking for a seat, but the only seat left was taken by a well dressed, middle-aged, French woman's poodle. The war-weary Marine asked, 'Ma'am, may I have that seat?' The French woman just sniffed and said to no one in particular 'Americans are so rude. My little Fifi is using that seat.'

The Marine walked the entire train again, but the only seat left was under that dog. 'Please, ma'am. May I sit down? I'm very tired. She snorted, 'Not only are you Americans rude, you are also arrogant!'

This time the Marine didn't say a word; he just picked up the little dog, threw it out of the train window, and sat down. The woman shrieked, 'Someone must defend my honour! This American should be put in his place!'

An English gentleman sitting nearby spoke up, 'Sir, you Americans often seem to have a penchant for doing the wrong thing. You hold the fork in the wrong hand. You drive your cars on the wrong side of the road. And now, sir, you seem to have thrown the wrong bitch out of the window

Chris

without wanted to hijack (sorry Homeland Security if you are monitoring this forum!) this thread can any of our USA friends recommend an airline to fly from New York (any airport) to DFW. Checking on line is a pain so thought you might have experience and insight into deals , better airlines than others etc.

Chris

Thanks for all the advice guys. I too am flying to the US in May. Flying into JFK and then an internal flight to DFW. Will have just 1 camera, 2 lenses, tripod and laptop.

Cant wait!! :)

Chris

thanks everyone for the comments. I prefer water to look like water but just for the other side of the argument here is a longer exposure of the same scene (without the long branch across the water removed!). It was shot hand-held so there's a bit of camera movement but its not too bad.

Taken in Ireland, processed in PSE9, printed and hung on my wall!