Those are stunners Gregory. Such a hard bird to get a photo of, due to their nervousness. I have tried many times up here and just haven't got a shot like yours. It's a testament to your abilities, for sure. Any secrets you can share on how to get that shot will be appreciated. Thanks for the posting.

[quote=hikergal]I am having such a hard time using manual focus on my SX50…this morning I was having a hard time getting focused on the sunrise…so switched to manual focus. It was very frustrating and found using the up and down arrows didn't work.

I have also been frustrated at using manual focus on mySX50. Jumps all over, too far, then too close on the focus. The idea that someone suggested of a manual focus ring would be a great improvement. The best has been to just keep moving the camera and trying to refocus, by half pressing the shutter. One thing I that has worked for better images, has been to shoot on 'P' and at 1/3 stop under.
Nothing is ever perfect, you dance with the one you came with.

Pierre.... I totally agree with all your advice. I've spent too long being negative and I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired...so yes....I'm gonna do all positive things. I went with my husband today to walk our dogs...I even put my little Canon in my pocket but the day was so grey and miserable that I never even took it out...but even puting it in my pocket was an achievement :-).[/quote]


Just by this post Rusty, I can see you have turned the corner. I've been there many times over the years. The only way out for me, has been to count my blessings- a regular regime of it, every single day. Add in photography and you have an outlet for your creativity. A way to start looking at things differently. You may well find it is a time of your best expression, because you won't settle so easily for average or mundane.

And find a way to give to others. Do something special for your husband or your dogs or a neighbor. "If you want to feel happy, show empathy to others".

Sorry Rusty, I always want to solve the problem. I know what you are going through. So do many others here.

[quote=JR1]Trying to find out how to create a menu that allows you to go to different scenes

JR- you need to put in chapter markers on your timeline. Then in Architech you will have to menu pages and the 2nd one shows the chapters. It gets very confusing in Architech,IMHO. You really need a book or video to help you along. I use one of VASST's dvd's to teach me how and have to look at it every time.
Vegas has a steep learning curve. Maybe all video editors do.

The rendering and the title/chapter pages is always the hardest part. Adding media to the timeline, editing your video and photos, adding music is all fairly easy. Hope this helps. You seem pretty savvy , so I'm sure you will get it.
Tom

Boy- I think you nailed it in #1, Diana. The work around the eyes, the skin tone-is really well done! You have a talent.
With no background you really focus on the face, and somehow you have managed to soften the expression. Well done !!

I guess you could title these...."The Escargot is gone"....I know-GROAN !
Great shots and thanks for the story behind it !.
25 years ago they were selling snails like these in the aquarium trade, calling them Apple snails. They would get$5-$8 for them. Problem was, that when the snails died, they became toxic to the fish. It was a short-lived product (oh sheesh-another pun) and soon they couldn't give them away.

Thanks Wahawk, you are correct, and I have my Programmed setting set to capture in Raw. Which explains why I don't get into the digital zoom area, which does make the view finder jump all over the place due to hand movement.

Marilyng- I have an sx50hs also and I notice the same thing on mine. Make sure you are not going into the digital zoom area. This function is available when the camera is set to auto and you see a yellow line in your view finder that says 100x. I usually set mine on P and lower my exposure by 1/3 stop, since so many of the images seem a tad too bright. Also on 'P' you can't exceed the optical zoom(it stops at 1200). I hope this helps, I love this camera !

I downloaded #3 and zoomed in and what an amazing close-up that is. You can actually see these little white cells on the edge of the yellow droplet,which almost resembles silicon to me. Which leads me to ask..."WOW, what camera and lens are you using?"
"wow"

You're correct...it is David Cassidy. I was still uploading photos when you came in though.

Sorry, didn't mean to spoil it-just a wild guess.

To me, It looks like David Cassidy?

[quote=lynndart]This has to be one of my favorite places in arizona :-)
here is the prerequisite old barn... before and after hd

Great shot of that old Harley ! I went through Jerome in the late 70's and LOVED the place. There were all these people standing in front of a bar in early afternoon, waiting for the Coors keg delivery. Help unload the kegs and you got a few free beers. It was such a fun day. I always wanted to go back.

As far as pushing the limits on HDR, I say go for it. It's what makes YOU happy! Let your freak flag fly.

I also use ProShow producer. It is a stable platform for rendering to a DVD, which is very important for lowering the frustration level. But the biggest thing for you, since you are doing weddings, is to purchase their wedding templates. It may cost you an extra $30 to$50, depending on their special at the time, and it WILL make your effort pop. Keep the transitions simple, fades are best IMHO. I recently did a life slideshow for my Aunt's memorial, using the retro plug-ins($20) and there weren't very many dry eye's in the reception room when it ended. And it's easy to include video. The last scene was her raising a toast to all who were there and thanking them for attending, finishing with "To Life!". Music is 60%...choose well.

Costco has a carbon fiber 60" for $89 with a ball head.

http://www.costco.com/Dolica-Proline-60%22-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-with-Ball-Head-Bundle-.product.11746472.html

Should be adequate. With the money saved, maybe a flash unit. Now that is something he will really need for weddings.

Indrajeet-how wonderful to get these images. The eyes in the last one resemble that same wild look I see in the coyotes eyes in our area. Great shots, thank you.