Make sure you have a high quality circular polarizing filter in use.

Dan

I am still shooting with a Nikon D90 and agree your shots are somewhat blah. I highly suggest you go to Ken Rockwell's site and review the settings he used for his D90.

Hopefully the camera was not dropped too hard. Good luck.

Dan

Greetings all,
I have been using the Nikon 18-200mm VR I for many years on a Nikon D90...enlargements up to 13x19 with no issues.

So much depends on the photographer ( not snap shooter) and his relationship with his camera. Knowing the limitations as well as the optimum settings for a particular photograph leads to better pictures. I starting out shooting with a Koday Pony where you ha to set aperture, shutter speed and distance, look through a tiny, blurry window and hope you got it right...which you did not know until the negatives were developed and the photographs printed. In college I had a 35mm Konica Reflex with an external meter...which produced better photos than some of the expensive Nikons other photography students were using. The professor said it was most likely due to me knowing what to change in the settings rather than letting the camera do it all automatically. I believe many people today think they are a photographer because they have an expensive digital camera in their hands.

I do about ten Arts & Crafts festivals per year and often repeat visitors have brought me their photographs to look and and if time permitted "critique" their shots. One guy over the course of three years bought the same camera, but did not put a good Nikon lens on it; year two his pics were still dismal...he was printing with a three-color ink jet printer(and black was not one) ...so, he went out and bought the same Photo-printer I was using. In year three his wife begged me not to tell him about anything else I was using...his photos were still nothing more than snap shots...you know, tilting horizons, poor composition, etc. When he asked why his shots were not as good as mine, his wife said, "Because he is a photographer, and you are not."

To add something else to this conversation, often people - I shall call them uneducated versus idiots - will come into my booth and same something like, "Oh sure, you have good photos because you have an expensive photo. I always bring their attention to one photo I always have framed and hanging up...and one I sell quite a few of. I point to it and say, "Like this photo, right?" (Attached) Typically, they say, "yeah, just what I mean." Then I end their idiocy when I tell them the shot was taken with a Nikon 3.2 Megapixel point and shoot, which I bought in 2006 to see if I would like to switch all my 35mm equipment over to digital. Like others have stated, a good photographer can get a good photograph with any camera they use. Sure, if the lens is not a quality piece of glass, then something will suffer, but the essence of a good photograph will live on.

I have been using Zenfolio for many years. Easy to use, very, very professional.

After a lot of research on the Tokina and the Sigma, I elected to go with the Sigma 10-20mm. Never regretted it. Both are good lenses!

In my own experience, it is best to take the time to get that shot, as moments later, it may be gone. Always best to make that u-turn if necessary. I never regret doing so.

One time on my way to an arts & crafts fair I was exhibiting at, I saw a local farm stand perfectly lit by the sunrise just happening...I passed it then decided it was a great opportunity...I made the u-turn and took about 10 shots. One of them I have sold at every since show I do. Even if I did not sell it, the worth to me of getting that shot..."priceless."

Daniel

I have been using Photoshop CS 5 for years and only recently went to Photoshop Elements 14 as some of the plugins I use would no longer function with CS% as they were upgraded.

There is definitely a learning curve for PSE14. Like some other comments, I have found jumping in and working on a photo was helpful. After some time, I went online to read some articles and watch some videos. Like anything, learning is not once and done.

Would this be Belmont State Park on Long Island? Nicely done...I have never done well with stitching photographs.

Used to ride my bike there when I was a kid.

Dan

Too bad there are people like that in this world, but alas, these morons do exist. I do Arts & Crafts shows where I showcase and sell my fine art photography...I have had my share of elitists come into my booth and make rude comments. In one case a photographer, in front of several buying customers, said, "How dare you sell at these prices." I simply replied, "I guess I do not have to rip off people like you do at your booth." With that she turned and walked out as people were clapping, cheering and handing me money. In another case, this guy was standing in front of a photo pontificating about how he knew the process I used and how I created the image. I just had to walk over and introduce myself. I told him I heard everything he said, but unfortunately, he was completely wrong. His female friend punched him in the arm, saying, "You always think you know everything." I think he was going to sleep on the couch that night.

I have a lightweight, carbon fiber Manfrotto tripod my wife bought me many years ago. I works for me as yours for you.

Keep snapping, keep smiling.
Dan

Yes, many people have told me they recognized the homemade root beer sign...along Rte 340 on the way to Intercourse. There is a place on the way to Mt. Gretna, past the Renaissance Faire, called Mollie's Homemade Root Beer. Closed down many, many years ago. I had the honor of meeting the son of the founder...took a few photos of the place.

Many of the train photos are from the Strasburg Railroad...but also the New Hope Railroad, Steamtown up in Scranton, and the Freedom Train, in New Freedom, PA.

Many of the train photos are from the Strasburg Railroad...and thank you for your kind comments.

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome. Now, if only the weather will get warmer.

Highly recommend the website Zenfolio...have been using it for many years now.

Hi all,
I have been taking photographs since I was seven years old. My first camera was a Kodak Pony. Since then I have shot with a Kodak Instamatic, Polaroid, Kowa SET, Konica Autoreflex, Konica, Canon Point & Shoots, Nikon 8800, Nikon D80, D90, P510. I am still using the D90 as my primary camera, backed up by the P510. Was thinking of getting the SonyA6000 as another back up bur rumors of a Nikon D7200 and a Sony A7000 are keeping my money in the wallet right now.

I began selling photographs at arts & crafts shows in 2007 and have been honored to have been juried into many shows in PA, NY and NJ. Now I concentrate on shows in PA, but NY may be seeing my in 2016.

My work is presented on www.photoartbydan.com

Comments and/or criticism is always welcomed. Make the best of this day.

Daniel