...there's no situation in judging where there isn't bias. It's built-in to every human, and due to differing experiences all over the map. It's just the way it is. I judge pageantry events and the only thing that reins-in our personal likes and dislikes are criteria the adjudicator *tries* to adhere to...it's really hard. There may be criteria that different judging/jurying events demand, but, still, what remains is the human making a decision. <shrug>

Borrow your friends Z 14-30, I have absolutely no complaints about mine. The stop difference might not be ideal but it's worth a try? Sorry, I can't attest to its efficacy for astro stuff...not my cup o' tea.

I think it's a fine pic, Brent. Contests are subjective, however...be ready to click your heels or get your a$$ kicked down the road. ;0)

I've been going thru some film files from an olde Bronica and found some from a "Train Day" at the Fullerton, CA Santa Fe (of course, now Amtrak) station. Bonus is that I had one of my digitals with me, too. Yes, I cheated on the first B&W and did a sky replacement, heh. The subject is a 4-8-4 "Northern" with 80" drivers...makes the Knott's steamer look like a Lionel.

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...I think they're beautiful and serve a purpose. The last six are the same bridge done with a drone, I *think* anyway...

...yes, from the saddle (I know, spank me) but I was transfixed by the art on the back of the truck. Conditions were a bonus, but certainly not the topic!

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I'm bettin' they are yours. Now, AFA releases goes, you may still have to toe that line, but, surely, you could even start, like, a Smugmug site, and sell 'em to the moms. I do that during the winter with the marching shows; there are a few guys on this forum who market athletic shots, too. <shrug>

...nice one, Jim. pg 2

Yah, thanks, I get it...my location is right next to my "Chasgroh"...I'll figgur it out...next time I'm at the wetlands I'll ask around.

...yes, bird seed! You peeps with a feeder, what is the best, or, better, more enticing, seeds to put out for 'em?

...thanks Dane!

Thanks Ellen...that tuba player is my hero. (I *kinda* play, but he plays "Flight of the Bumblebee"...I need another lifetime!)

I've shot a ton of indoor "sports" in gyms across SoCal. They are not all the same. Since I moved up to a D4 and later a D5 from my D300 days it's gotten quite a bit easier...but still a challenge, depending on venue. If she's going to be under flourescent lights that's best because of the lack of cycling (usually 60 hz for sodium and mercury vapor) so the white balance can be dealt with evenly...either on site or in post. Cycling is a *really* hard thing without the camera compensating for it as my D4 and D5 do...and that is such a relief when confronted with that condition. I always shoot manual...if the lighting is even it's not so hard. Get as much shutter as you can, shoot wide open...set the ISO as high as you can to achieve a good balance of quality and noise. Post can help a lot, of course...is there any way you can sit down with her in "a" gym? Like Paul said, continuous AF and capture in JPEG, I've never used auto-iso nor messed with EC...I've always shot manual so that's the extent of my advice.

...the ones I have look the same, but the pic doesn't respond very well. <shrug>

I've skipped by your posts for years, but recently bought a pair of those funky glasses. The pair I bought evidently don't work very well...heh...so I'm back to skipping. Do you have a recommendation on a brand/type that *will* work?