P21 Thank you Irene. I have the same lens. I keep it on my camera most of the time. It's a bit heavy when I carry it all day, but it's a very good all-around lens. I even use it some in my video work.

No suggestions. They're very good the way they are. I was just curious. I'm such a B&W fiend. Although I'm not color blind by any means, I've gotten to where I have started seeing things in my mind's eye in terms of contrast, and texture, and there is a lot of really good texture in those shots. I ask myself whether or not the color adds anything to the picture. If it doesn't, then I go the B&W route. I also ask myself if the color is distracting. If it is, then I go B&W. Even though I may like a color shot, sometimes briefly converting to B&W will cause something to pop up I didn't see in the color version that will cause me to totally re-think the picture.

Split toning is when you add different color to your highlights and shadows. I'm not sure what software you are using, and I'm hoping you shot in Raw. Below is a screen shot of the split toning sliders in Lightroom. On highlight, crank saturation to 100%. Then move the hue until you find a color you like. Turn saturation down to zero, then repeat for shadow, selecting a complimentary color, then turn saturation back down to zero. Start moving the highlight saturation slider up until you find an intensity you like. I rarely go much above 10%. Then do the same for the shadow saturation. I usually don't have to mess with the balance slider, but you can play with it to see what it does.

Once you get used to it, split toning can be a lot of fun and can really make a photo pop. As with most things, a little goes a long way.

Thanks Thom for the step by step info on Split Toning. I have copied your info for a reference in my files. I do not shoot in Raw...I have in the past and found I could not master the editing process....or was not happy with it. I use Corel Paintshop 6X as my editing program. I purchased a Sony a77ii to supplement my SX50 and have not shot in raw with this camera (camera used for the shoot of the two old houses). I will have to give it a try and see how my pp does with it. I have given some thought to Adobe Photoshop or Elements but have not taken that direction yet.

My goal for today....take my Sony out for a walk and shoot in Raw....and check out editing in Raw.

Good goal for today. Hopefully I can get out and get some shooting done too. I just got in some new video equipment and I really want to try it out.

Paintshop 6X is good, and it is very similar to Photoshop Elements. I've used them both, and I don't believe moving to Elements would be a step up in software. If you're comfortable with 6X, then you would be fine to stay there. For me, after moving to Lightroom, I almost never go back to Photoshop unless I need to work in layers. The work flow is simpler and faster.