Left hand writing, left eye focusing. I wish I could use my right eye for focusing and in my shooting hobby, but it has proved to be practically impossible. Left eye focusing means you have nowhere to put your nose, and this hampers my view through the finder, and causes off-center use of the finder, which results in focus problems. If any hogs have a similar problem, I would appreciate knowing how they have addressed it. Thanks, Mercer

I like the zany idea behind #1. Both photos seem ok to me for family album or facebook use. Under maximum download, focus is not dead on, but so what? The people can be identified. Obviously, you did not take the photos to make large wall hangers, or contest entries. I think the shots do their job very well.

Mysterious but beautiful swamp. How's the fishing?

I love the mountains and the lake, but the lake photo has a slanted horizon and a flawed left border. Both of these things would probably influence the judges' opinions. My vote is for #1. Brent, I have always admired your "eye" and your fine work. Both certainly exceed mine and many others on UHH. Good luck in the contest. Mercer

your friend did a fine job, didn't he or she? ...and all the best to you and your company, visionofvets.org.

As I understand it, one stop remains one stop, which does not vary regardless of the lens' focal length, because f stop expresses the arithmetic relationship between the area of the lens' opening and distance from this opening to the camera's focal plane. You can confirm this by noting that a photographic light meter does not mention anything but f stop (and film speed).

You might be thinking of depth of field, which can vary according to the lens' focal length and/or f stop.

Just like you, I don't know what it is. But, it looks like an easy fix for PSE or any of a number of the free processing programs. Good luck. Mercer

I always liked your posts, Erv, and was sorry to hear of your stroke. I wish you all the best, and most of all, a quick and complete recovery. Mercer

The falling water, in some parts of the image, appears to be vertical. In this case, that's enough for me. Beautiful photo, by the way....

Practically in downtown Asheville is the home of Thomas Wolfe, author of Look Homeward, Angel and other early 20th century masterpieces. The Wolfe home is believed to be the boarding house featured in Look Homeward, Angel. I hope the home is still there. My last visit to Asheville was more than 70 years ago.

Looks like a hybrid of Canadas and Barnyard whites.

I've been there. Loved Preservation hall. really miss the days of Papa Celestine, Fats Pichon, Sharkey, Al Hirt, and all the others from days gone by. New Orleans is the kinda city where you wake up in the morning, look out of your hotel window, and know exactly where you are. Only a few of these towns are left. The only ones that come to mind right now are San Francisco and Quebec in our hemisphere, not to mention most of the major cities of Europe.

I shoot in shutter priority whenever possible, most of the time at 125th sec. This helps reduce the camera motion I find in the new dslr cameras which will not hold steady like they used to.
Instead of fixing the problem, Nikon responds with inane comments, that have nothing to do with photography. I am fully capable of noticing the camera is unstable. It is stupid for nikon to try to pass this problem along to the number of birthdays the photographer has experienced. I do not consider 85 years to be the problem causing this camera shake, and will pass along my frustration and complaint to "Geezers are us," a most effective group, feared by all manufacturers, particularly those dealing with photographic products.

Fine photos! Thanks. Have you ever been able to see the "green Flash" famous during Hawaii, sunsets, or actually photograph one? I've never seen one, but have no doubt they exist. If you have managed to get a photo, please post it. Thanks again. Mercer

Your photos are properly exposed and focused, and probably would be good for property sales, legal actions, insurance needs, etc. But all great photos tell a story. Nuff said. Thanks for showing these to us. These is nothing wrong with your photos,considering their purpose. The other Hogs commenting have some excellent and profitable ideas regarding these.

Good luck and have a fine day. Mercer