On page 10 of the lens user manual it recommends leaving image stabilization on when using a monopod. It also says that, depending on conditions, it can be left on when using a tripod.

Yes, California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). You can tell by the small external ear flaps and the fact that the rear legs can be rotated forward for locomotion on land. There are also harbor seals at Moss Landing. They do not have the ear flaps and must drag the rear limbs behind themselves when on land.

It looks like sunlight shining through a gap in the clouds to me.

Depth of field is the range of distances in the subject field of view that are acceptably sharp in the image as viewed by the observer. The includes anything that appears to be as sharp as the objects on the focal plane; their sharpness is indistinguishable from the objects in the focal plane as viewed. Remember that this is a vague standard because the viewing conditions determine our perception of sharpness and includes the surface texture of the print and the observer's visual acuity.

# 3

Yes.

# 5

Thank-you. Common loon was my first thought but the blue feet confused me.

Not the gull. Taken on Monterey Bay, California.

(Download)


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I have a pair of Zeiss Conquest 8x42 binoculars that are excellent.

I prefer the B&W rendition as the distant background became more abstract and less noticeable.

I believe that, ideally, everything in the frame should add to the composition. In most street photography the subject is some sort of action and color usually does not add anything to that. I also love seeing landscape photographs in black and white. Color usually adds little to the landscape but it does nothing to distract from it and it often works both ways.

# 6

I too prefer #2. I don't find the background that distracting but the changes to the top of the mane in #1 does bother me--it is a bit fuzzy while the rest of the cat is not.
Very nice shot!

Thank-you Dodie and everyone else who responded. What I found interesting about the second version was the disconnect between the dancers, all looking in different directions. I did not perceive the lack of context that showed the dancing. My favorite part of the first version were the two gentlemen in the corners of the triangle; I now see how they are the anchors of the composition.

I totally missed the martial arts rumble look of the tighter crop. Love your new title of the post Stephan "Sparring in the street -- Which chop works best?" is very cleaver, thanks.

Paul