Here is a photo of my Great Granddaughter wearing her new dress.

I agree with FarmerJim, the Fuji X10 is a wonderful camera it has full manual controls and shoots raw as well as auto and Jpegs. The sensor is 2/3" and has exr capabilities and takes excellent images. Maybe a little large for a shirt pocket but will fit easily into a jacket pocket.

Taken with my new Fuji HS50 from about 30 foot away and using a monopod to overcome my hand shake.

I also think that it would be a great improvement for all three flags to be in sharp focus and to have them in equal contrast as well. The fact that flags 2 & 3 or quite fuzzy appears to distract from the theme. Maybe if the focal point was the headstone between flags 1 & 2 it would sharpen up the main points of focus. One further point is that the figure in white is another distraction, unless it is meant to be a ghostly figure watching over the graves.
But it certainly is a photo that makes one think about the sacrifices made by the heroes resting there, well done.

I love this photo, it reminds me of some of the 'Magnum' photos, in that it tells a real story. I also think that the cropped version, although compositionally better, has a completely different story that loses the impact of the original. Technically I feel the background is too dark and cluttered, it distracts from the main picture and confuses the overall feeling that Ocbeyer was giving us.

Speaking as an Englishman of 80 years, the first time I heard 'The Star Spangled Banner' sung was by Kate Smith and I think that it is the best version by far. In agreement with the Colonel, I think the same applies to our 'God Save The Queen', there are too many outlandish versions at public occasions, and I think Her Majesty would shudder at them.

I agree with Wowbmw, its has everything correct, good exposure, sharp, good composition but I do not like it for some reason. It has a sort of menacing aura, probably not knowing if it is coming or has passed, and there is a lack of perspective the nearer part, is it the front or rear, appears smaller than the rest at the extreme left. I think that is what gives it an unreal look. I agree with Renomike that it would have been better with a wider angle lens so that it would appear in better perspective. But certainly is an intriguing photo, I keep going back to it, worrying that it is just my opinion or is it truly an uncomfortable feeling that it gives.
Thank you flashgordon for making me think about composition more.

I started smoking cigarettes at 15 years old, gave up for a couple of years then as a pub landlord began smoking cigars, at age of 50 I changed to being a pipe smoker and still enjoy puffing away every day. The doc (I am diabetic} suggested I gave up tobacco and alcohol so I told him that I would rather give up breathing, I am now in my 80th year and reasonably fit and still enjoy my pipe and occasional pint of beer as well as a glass of wine with my meals. Out of consideration for my wife (and computer) I now only smoke in my garden chalet or my car.

[quote=Jim 100]

On reflection, I think you are right, The plain sky adds to the overall tone of the picture rather than detract from it. So i would say it is as perfect a shot as you are likely to see. I only wish that I could do as well :)

I think this is an excellent Photo. Exposure, contrast and tonal graduations are all very good. It makes you want to stroke that twisted wood.
The only thing I have slight reservations about is the rather large amount of bland sky, I presume it was all blue, pity there were no clouds about to add more interest. Maybe if the sides were cropped about 0.5 " off the left and 1" off the right it would cut down that comparatively large area.

That was the funniest joke I have heard in years, I still can't stop laughing.

I use elements11 for cataloging and processing, then transfer to Picassa for printing. Picassa is so simple to use and does a good job, whereas PSE11 and my printer (a Canon pixma 4850) do not get on well together. It often seems to try to print a 6" x 4" when I set the printer to A4, and I wasted quite a few sheets of A4 paper before using Picassa to print from.

What a revolting person you must be, misquoting Mrs Thatcher and expecting normal people to dance in the streets rejoicing that she died. You should be ashamed of yourself.

I am 80 this year and a couple of months ago bought my first Photoshop Elements (11). With the help of Youtube tutorials, I have been restoring several slides taken between 1960 and 1970 to a fairly good standard, getting rid of a lot of dirt and scratches, restoring colours and exposure. The learning curve on PSE11 starts out fairly easy but steepens up if you wish to do more exotic repairs using layers and masks. If I can manage it, you should find it a doddle being 13 years younger :lol:

Well said Viscount Driver, I only wish we had a politician (of any party) with even half the b---s of Margaret. Look at the useless ones we have now. And our USA friends think they have trouble with Obama.