Hi guys

Recently, my 60D's Access Lamp, aka Card Busy Indicator, has been flickering after I take a photo. Typically, it would come on for a couple of seconds if I am shooting in RAW, or have taken a video clip, or maybe used continuous shooting mode. Funny thing is that everything continues to work and I can even preview the photo just taken, even with that light flickering. I've downloaded photos taken and they are fine, and when I reload that same card and turn the camera on....the flickering resumes.

I suspect there may be something wrong with the card (SanDisk HC 32GB Class 10). Turning it off and on or taking the battery out doesn't fix it. However, I put in a different card and it has quit flickering for now, but I'm not sure if it is as simple as that. I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced this issue, and if in fact it is an indicator of a damaged SD card. I would really like to hear this is a problem with the card and not the camera!

Thanks!

This family's Christmas lighting has become an annual block party. I shot this for a local magazine who wanted something from the event. I'm pretty happy with it, but I had to research to find the best settings. Here is what I used.

ISO@800, f/4.5, 1/10 exposure, White Balance at "Tungsten", with tripod and remote. Stars added in post. Canon EOS 60D with Canon 24-105mm USM-L lens at 24mm. I would be interested in seeing your Christmas light pics and settings.

Christmas Lighting Block Party

I should have chosen my words better, in that in my case PSE doesn't actually freeze or totally crash. More accurately, it just doesn't work right. For example, when I open a new blank file, and then paste an image into it, I cannot move or relocate that image on that blank page. It keeps snapping back to the place it was originaly dropped. When trying to compose a composite image, you need to be able to move cut and pasted items around.

Other PSE12 functions do seem to work okay, such as the burn and dodge and some items like that. If you are doing very basic or minor work on your images in PSE12 in Yosemite, it may very well appear to work, but in my experience, the more complex functions just don't.

Bingo!

Have any Mac users who use PSE12 upgraded their operating system to 10.10 (Yosemite)? If so, have you found it creates problems for PSE12?

I think the two are not compatible, and we may be forced to upgrade to PSE13, whether we need its features or not.

I had been following these three guys for several weeks, and must have taken 100 or so pics. I got this one on my last trip to their nest, and a few days later they were gone. While I was there, Mama flew up and perched nearby.

I am going to split this into 3 images, as I think it is perfect for a triptych.

3 Babies and one tired Mama

I've been watching this nest of 3 herons, and any day expect them to be off on their own. They have effectively pushed Mom and Dad out, and don't seem to have room to lie down any more. I think they have some uncles and aunts next door. Shot with a Canon SX50 HS.

Can you see all six birds?


The 3 big babies


My entry in the UHH Silhouette contest

Thanks Linda. I know I am a little late to the party as these super zoom bridge cameras have been around awhile and I have just somehow missed looking into them. I am a new fan! I'm not really a wildlife guy.....but this might get me into it to a new degree.

This is actually more about this nice little camera than the quality of the shots. I recently picked up Canon's Powershot SX50 HS. For $400, it is a great little camera, especially for sports and wildlife.

It has a 50x optical zoom, and then goes to 200mm digital, where it gets a little noisy, but still viewable.

Below are some examples of what it can do. While not a birder, I think these are baby Herons. Maybe somebody who knows something about it can confirm that, plus whether or not 3 in a nest is unique or common.

This is where I was standing...


At about 72mm


At 200 mm


This must be a parent. I think the baby's are down in the nest.


Both parents maybe??? Longer beaks.

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2014/04/2014-national-geographic-traveler-photo-contest/100722/

The contest is still open. The link above has some examples of the amazing photos this contest brings in. Something for all of us to aspire to! Enjoy.

Shooting down from an elevated position helps put the focus on the faces (and helps remove some double-chins), but the best tip is to think "triangles". Arrange the group so that if you drew lines from nose to nose between people in the different rows, you would get a series of triangles. Google something like "poses for group portraits" and look at the "images" tab for ideas.

And right before you squeeze the trigger...."EYES OPEN EYES OPEN...LOOK AT THE CAMERA....EYES OPEN....click"

Basically, try not to crap your pants when you turn it on and realize how amazingly awesome it is. I just bought my second one...a 27-incher with fusion drive. Fast, intuitive, elegant. Photography and video applications work and look great on iMacs.

Seriously though, they do have some upgrades you can add when designing it. Consider adding RAM, storage and the faster processor. This will last you many, many years, so spend he money up front to make sure it is set for all the software and photos you will be putting into it.

One last thing...if you are anywhere near an Apple store, spend the $99 for their One-to-One service where you can take it in and sit there with one of their guys and learn all about it in a personal training session. That service is available for a year to you and you can schedule as many of those sessions as you want.

If nowhere near their stores, well their Apple Support call center is equally amazing. I spent two hours last week on the phone with one of their guys as he patiently walked me through the process of migrating my files from my old 2008 iMac to my new one. They had different versions of the OS, so there were some issues, but he stuck with me until we figured it out and got it all moved. He never gave up until I was happy with everything. It is a great company for both it's design but also it's support. Welcome to the club.

Nice shot. I have this camera in my Amazon cart... I have been pondering whether to get it, and this is another reason why I should. I take it you are happy with this little workhorse?

Thanks JCam - When I googled sites for identification of hawks, I also thought it looked a little like a Red Shouldered Hawk, and it looks like I live just barely in its habitat range. Thanks for the comment.

Thanks Shooter. That's why I asked the experts! I thought he was an old guy!