Thanks for the encouraging comments, sorry for the delay in responding but I have been tied up with work recently. Didn't sample the dogs in NYC or the crab in DC but had wonderful rib eye cooked rare, great pizza, BBQ brisket & massive Angus beef burgers.

Weather fantastic during my visit but difficult shooting in harsh light, found the automatic HDR function on my Sony SLT-A65 very useful.

Thanks to all the wonderful people across the pond for making it a very enjoyable visit. Found Arlington Cemetery to be a very special place, serene and stunningly beautiful.

Walking past a McDonalds in Times Square, this sign caught my eye before the whole sign came into view.

Full sign reads "Walk up window" but I prefer the version here, pretty much an accurate description in my view!!

Just got back to UK from a trip to NYC & DC. Took all the usual 'tourist' images but also looked for reflections. Sample of some reflective images attached.

9/11 Memorial


9/11 Memorial


9/11 Memorial


Empire State Building


Chrysler building
Attached file:
(Download)

Vietnam war memorial


Vietnam war memorial


Capitol Hill


Korean war memorial


Korean war memorial

Wow, absolutely amazing. Great opportunity, what a beautiful creation of R J Mitchell's.

My thanks to all who have taken the time to contribute, some great advice there. I have been researching NYC & Washington DC for a couple of weeks now but local knowledge is unbeatable.

Hope I can reciprocate to any Hogs that are venturing to the UK.

Fellow Hogs - I'm going to NYC (4 nights) & Washington DC (2 nights) at the end of May. Any advice on what not to miss (and what to avoid!). Any restrictions on taking camera gear anywhere? Seeing the Yankees vs Red Sox, can I use a DSLR in the Yankees stadium? Any tips on traveling around?
Thanks all in anticipation, I know it's a massive subject but any main pointers would be useful.

Image is of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster which did a three pass fly over the RAF Museum at RAF Cosford, Shropshire, UK today as part of the 70th anniversary of the Dam Busters raid.

What a beautiful noise!

Sony SLT-A65, Sigma 28-200mm, 1/400s, F14, ISO200.

This female Sparrowhawk took a Sparrow in flight and landed on my lawn recently. She was very wary and stayed about 3/4 minutes before flying off with her lunch!

Image taken through glass, cropped.

I have a digital version of your first image, taken off the same bridge, slightly different framing. Taken last August on a wonderful trip to Venice with a Sony SLT-A65.

A visit to Burano is a must if you are in Venice and have time, not far on the Vaporetto.

Wow, wow... x1000!

You can see from my Avatar, I quite like Spits. Mitchells design is perfect, such beautiful lines. When you hear one start up, taxi, take off and fly the RR Merlin sounds incredible.

Had the good fortune to see 9 Spits take off and dispaly together at IWM Duxford a few years ago.

Couldn't agree more, great use of HDR. I use in camera HDR (Sony SLT-A65) on colour but HDR in BW can add extra dimensions. Hate those overcooked colour 'images'. Personal choice, doubtless many will disagree!

Frame some and keep others in a portfolio.

No brainer - only one place for me in the UK:-

http://www.proamimaging.com/index.php

I normally go straight for the 18" x 12" print at £1.20 each (inc VAT).
Quality & prices are best I have ever found.

Not being awkward, but that image is not of the Doges Palace (Palazzo Ducale). The Doges Palace is opposite the building photographed.

I was lucky enough to be there in August - beautiful city.

Another Sony SLT user here. Up to 6EV exposure difference in camera. I have taken many hand held HDR's and advantages are being able to review the shots immediately and not worrying about a tripod.

I have Photomatix and SNS-HDR but use these less and less since investing in the Sony.

I use HDR as a tool to get a reasonable image - don't like the over tone mapped images, but that's personal choice.