Ekserb's picture thread

[Galene]

Thank you, gorgeous. When are you coming to Miami so I can shoot a sunset with you in the foreground?

*smiles* I wish I could reply 'tomorrow' but it's a damn long trip from Greece to the States... I'll do it one day and Florida will definitely be one of my stops.

 

[tigerjen]

The frog was sleeping (or resting ... whatever they do) when I got the first shot of him on the wall, but he got restless and moved into the water after that shot was taken. Then he climbed onto the lily pad for some more shots. I had to lean over the wall of the pond and put the camera really close to the water, inching closer and closer until he finally jumped off and I left him alone after that. The second shot of him was as close as four or five inches.

The macro lens I use is a 50mm, which is kinda short for animals and bugs, but not bad for plants and flowers. The animated subjects tend to move around too much when you get this close, so a lot of people will use a 100mm or even a 150mm macro lens for the critters. Those longer lenses allow you to get the same tight crops while staying further from the subject, but the downside is the lens is usually more expensive, heavier, and increases the chances of getting some motion blur from camera movement.

End of photography lesson.

The bridge is indeed no longer in use. What tipped you off? The missing section of roadway? Hehee! You can see on the right the newer span, called the Overseas Highway. This state park is at Mile Marker 37, east of Key West.

I had a day off from work today (my first off day since Hurricane Wilma), but had some prior arrangements for the day, so no new nudes. I took a walking tour of the Art Deco District in Miami Beach (got some nice pictures during the tour), and when I got home I spent the next couple of hours trimming trees and cleaning the yard of hurricane debris. Now I'm sore all over. I'll sleep well tonight!

Back to work tomorrow.

Oh yeah...the middle of the bridge was missing! Wouldn't be safe.......
Hope you enjoyed your day off from work yesterday, I bet walking thru the Art Deco
section was fun.....if you're ever up in NYC you should check out SoHo, TriBeca, & some
of the other artsy areas!

 

[sybilrose]

Thanks

There is a lot to be said for the right equipment, but I have seen pictures taken with a camera phone that would win awards simply based on composition and lighting.

Still, I'm my own worst critic, and when it comes down to it, I like being able to crop and edit on the computer without having to worry about whether the resolution will suffer enough to limit the print size.

My Maxxum 7D is a 6MP camera. There are a lot of smaller, more consumer-oriented cameras with more resolution (usually as high as 8MP), but the pictures from a good DSLR with interchangeable lenses will always be better than those from a point-and-shoot because the glass in those aforementioned lenses is so much better at resolving the details in your scene. A P&S with a lens the size of a pencil eraser just can't do the job as well as any DSLR with a thousand dollar lens attached.

Of course, once you've used a top-of-the-line lens, you're hooked. I'm in the process now of replacing my older lenses with top-shelf glass, and buying the best of what's available in the zoom ranges that I don't already own. I've decided that my day job is strictly for making enough money to buy new lenses and other photographic equipment.

A good camera not only gives you the benefit of different lenses, but you also have so much control over every aspect of the picture-taking process. Or just set the camera to Auto and shoot away. There is always room to grow and learn with a more professional camera.

If you're just thinking of getting a new DSLR, I would probably recommend a Canon or Nikon, just because they have a very extensive lineup of lenses and you'll never want for equipment availability. I chose the Minolta because I've owned a Minolta film camera for years and already had two lenses for it, plus I feel the ergonomics of the Minolta is far, far better than the Canon/Nikon bodies. Plus, the Minolta has an Anti-shake system built into the camera body so that every lens that can be mounted on the camera can take advantage of this type of image stabilization. (The Canon and Nikon cameras only have image stabilization on special lenses that can cost hundreds of dollars more than a non-IS lens, and the system drains the batteries as long as it's turned on and working. The Minolta verison only works while the shutter is open and the camera is taking a picture - a split second.)

Minolta now makes a 5D that is more of a consumer camera, but it does have all the same features as the 7D, but they trimmed some pro-level features to cut the cost down to about $700-$800. If you like the idea of body-integral Anti-shake, this might be something to think about. A friend of mine (the girl who shot the pool pictures in this thread) just bought the 5D and she is very happy with it so far. (By the way, Canon recently released a model called "5D" also, so if you're searching for info on cameras, keep that in mind.)

Whatever you decide to do, keep shooting and sharing! I frequent a site called fredmiranda.com and it is almost exclusively digital photographers sharing their work for others to critique and to learn from those comments. I love the site and I've learned a ton about composition and lighting technique. I recommend the site to anyone interested in photography.

I have a lot to learn . That is a pretty cool site . I appreciate the shopping advice too!

 

[Ekserb]

*smiles* I wish I could reply 'tomorrow' but it's a damn long trip from Greece to the States... I'll do it one day and Florida will definitely be one of my stops.

Well, bookmark my site and if you ever do come to the USA, make sure to send me an email and I'll pick you up at the airport. We could spend a weekend driving around Miami looking for places that would provide a nice background for some modeling photos. Who knows? By then I might have a proper studio set up and we could do some indoor photography that would knock everyone's socks off!

 

[Ekserb]

Oh yeah...the middle of the bridge was missing! Wouldn't be safe.......
Hope you enjoyed your day off from work yesterday, I bet walking thru the Art Deco
section was fun.....if you're ever up in NYC you should check out SoHo, TriBeca, & some
of the other artsy areas!

The day off was a welcome bit of relaxation and exploration. I'll keep those areas in mind if I ever do visit NY.

 

[Ekserb]

I have a lot to learn . That is a pretty cool site . I appreciate the shopping advice too!

A lot to learn, but that's the fun part! If it becomes just routine it loses it's attraction.

I'm glad you like that site. Get a membership (free) and say hi sometime! My handle over there is PDBreske.

 

[Mign]

Heh heh. Thanks!

your welcome hun....

 

[tigerjen]

The day off was a welcome bit of relaxation and exploration. I'll keep those areas in mind if I ever do visit NY.

Sounds great! I'll even be a tour guide if you like....oh I also forgot, there's
also Greenwich Village too, pretty artsy as well!

I hear you about having the coveted day off......I know I cherish my days off
after working the overnite shift.

 

[Sulk]

Your sunset has a wonderful heaven and earth feel.

And you've certainly given me plenty to think about, re; selecting a new cam. Something that will not happen for a while (too many demands on my pocket at present,) though practical advice on which features are really going to make a difference is a great help. TY.

 

[daisyleigh]

Hmmm...Ill be lookin for ya at Haulover Beach from now on!!

 

[Ekserb]

Sounds great! I'll even be a tour guide if you like....oh I also forgot, there's
also Greenwich Village too, pretty artsy as well!

I hear you about having the coveted day off......I know I cherish my days off
after working the overnite shift.

Had a bit of fun last night. I have recently joined a social club called Events and Adventures. It's an activities club for singles - no married people allowed. For a hefty yearly membership, you can pick and choose from a bunch of events that are scheduled throughout the month, and while yo're having fun you might meet someone interesting and decide to go out on a date or whatever. It'a kinda neat, and after just two events I've met a bunch of people and a few of them seem to be a lot of fun to be with.

Last night was SoBe Bowling. There's a bowling alley on South Beach called Lucky Strike and it's kind of a cross between a bowling alley and a night club. About twenty-five other members showed up for this event and my lane had the best looking women, so I was having a good time. I met a nice looking doctor and a lawyer, but it was really just as much fun to get out of the house (especially after the last few hurricanes) and have fun wth a group of single adults.

Anyway, it was fun. I am signed up for a couple more things later in the month, including a day at the races where our group will be sponsoring one of the horses and if it wins we'll get a picture of all of us in the winner's circle. I'll definitely take my camera to that event as I would love to get some shots of the horses as they leave the gate.

 

[Ekserb]

Your sunset has a wonderful heaven and earth feel.

And you've certainly given me plenty to think about, re; selecting a new cam. Something that will not happen for a while (too many demands on my pocket at present,) though practical advice on which features are really going to make a difference is a great help. TY.

Thank you for the compliment on that picture. I really liked the clouds that night.

 

[Ekserb]

Hmmm...Ill be lookin for ya at Haulover Beach from now on!!

Well, you may have a long wait. I doubt if I'll have time to get out there again before the weather turns too cold. Our schedule at work has been so crazy since these last couple hurricanes that I doubt we'll be totally caught up until sometime next year.

How often do you go out to Haulover? I didn't notice any tan lines in your pictures, but I also don't know how recent any of those pictures are. When I'm not working as much as I am now, I try to go out every weekend. Gotta keep my nooks and crannies tan! LOL

But, if you do see me, say Hi!

 

[Sweet_emOcean]

Good morning Ekserb!

I've been away for a bit and it's taken me some time to catch up with you. I love all your "regular everyday" shots. Like everybody else I am awed by your sunset shot. I feel as though I could reach right out and touch those puffy clouds. I also spent some time visiting the site that you posted a link to and booked it for future reference...thanks so much for that! And for the photography lesson in cameras. I have always been a huge fan of canon slr's and haven't had the bucks to purchase a high end dslr yet. I didn't know that info about the anti shake being in the lenses and not the body itself. I will certainly have to do more research when the time is right won't I?

 

[daisyleigh]

Well, you may have a long wait. I doubt if I'll have time to get out there again before the weather turns too cold. Our schedule at work has been so crazy since these last couple hurricanes that I doubt we'll be totally caught up until sometime next year.

How often do you go out to Haulover? I didn't notice any tan lines in your pictures, but I also don't know how recent any of those pictures are. When I'm not working as much as I am now, I try to go out every weekend. Gotta keep my nooks and crannies tan! LOL

But, if you do see me, say Hi!

I go as much as I can but work schedule usually leaves me no time for anuthing but the tanning bed unfortunatly. Is that new bowling alley the new one on Lincoln Rd?

 

[Ekserb]

Good morning Ekserb!

I've been away for a bit and it's taken me some time to catch up with you. I love all your "regular everyday" shots. Like everybody else I am awed by your sunset shot. I feel as though I could reach right out and touch those puffy clouds. I also spent some time visiting the site that you posted a link to and booked it for future reference...thanks so much for that! And for the photography lesson in cameras. I have always been a huge fan of canon slr's and haven't had the bucks to purchase a high end dslr yet. I didn't know that info about the anti shake being in the lenses and not the body itself. I will certainly have to do more research when the time is right won't I?

Well, I tend to research the hell out of a purchase (especially one that will set me back $1600), but one of the major selling points for me was the lens compatibility with my existing Minolta gear. I may have bought a Canon or Nikon before I bought the Maxxum, but I was kind of waiting until KM announced their DSLR model and I'm glad I did. It's a beauty.

I'm glad you found my photography site. I'm working on a new version of the site, so it may change a bit in the next few weeks. I'm going to try to post fewer but better pictures so as not to overwhelm my guests with so many shots. Plus, many of the ones on the current site are old and I've improved a lot since taking them.

Thanks!

 

[Ekserb]

I go as much as I can but work schedule usually leaves me no time for anuthing but the tanning bed unfortunatly. Is that new bowling alley the new one on Lincoln Rd?

I saw your latest picture on your thread. You say you need a tan, but at least I can't see any lines. An even paleness is better than tan lines any day. Of course, an all-over tan is better than either of the others.

Lucky Strike is the new bowling alley on Lincoln Rd, right at Michigan Ave. It's pretty nice and they have food and drinks and even sit-down dining if you want to have dinner before or after bowling. It is expensive, but so is everythng else in South Beach.

 

[daisyleigh]

I saw your latest picture on your thread. You say you need a tan, but at least I can't see any lines. An even paleness is better than tan lines any day. Of course, an all-over tan is better than either of the others.

Lucky Strike is the new bowling alley on Lincoln Rd, right at Michigan Ave. It's pretty nice and they have food and drinks and even sit-down dining if you want to have dinner before or after bowling. It is expensive, but so is everythng else in South Beach.

Everyone is talking about it but cant seem to find the time to check it out lately. Im used to the expense in SB lol

 

[Ekserb]

Everyone is talking about it but cant seem to find the time to check it out lately. Im used to the expense in SB lol

Well, if your boyfriend can't take you, I'll happily join you for a few frames. I warn you, I'm quite a bad bowler! LOL

 

[Sweet_emOcean]

Well, I tend to research the hell out of a purchase (especially one that will set me back $1600), but one of the major selling points for me was the lens compatibility with my existing Minolta gear. I may have bought a Canon or Nikon before I bought the Maxxum, but I was kind of waiting until KM announced their DSLR model and I'm glad I did. It's a beauty.

I'm glad you found my photography site. I'm working on a new version of the site, so it may change a bit in the next few weeks. I'm going to try to post fewer but better pictures so as not to overwhelm my guests with so many shots. Plus, many of the ones on the current site are old and I've improved a lot since taking them.

Thanks!

I tend to research too, but since I don't have the bucks right now to rush out and buy what I really want, I haven't done that much research. I have looked into the canon's latest zoom P&S's and the Panasonic's that are comparable to the S1 IS and the S2 IS. I still drool over the idea of a high end like yours, but ~sighs~ I just can't do it right now.

The only reason I might opt for a canon high end dslr if I had the bucks would be to take advantage of the many lenses and filters that I have from my slr lifetime.

 

[Galene]

Well, bookmark my site and if you ever do come to the USA, make sure to send me an email and I'll pick you up at the airport. We could spend a weekend driving around Miami looking for places that would provide a nice background for some modeling photos. Who knows? By then I might have a proper studio set up and we could do some indoor photography that would knock everyone's socks off!

Good heavens, you call yourself an amateur? Then what the hell does it take to be a professional?
Umm... now I'm having second thoughts about you photographing me... you'd bring out in excruciatingly painful detail every single line on my face and every spot of cellulite on my butt
Buttt... who am I trying to kid, truth is I'd kill for some real good photos
Thank you, I truly appreciate the offer and wishing you that you set up the studio of your dreams the soonest

 

[Ekserb]

I tend to research too, but since I don't have the bucks right now to rush out and buy what I really want, I haven't done that much research. I have looked into the canon's latest zoom P&S's and the Panasonic's that are comparable to the S1 IS and the S2 IS. I still drool over the idea of a high end like yours, but ~sighs~ I just can't do it right now.

The only reason I might opt for a canon high end dslr if I had the bucks would be to take advantage of the many lenses and filters that I have from my slr lifetime.

Ah, yes. If you already have some Canon-mount lenses, then a Canon DSLR would probably be your best bet. It's a purchase you will never regret, but I completely understand your predicament. I was only able to get mine after some storms last year forced me to work some overtime and the resulting pay checks were much higher than usual. It was an early holiday gift to myself!

 

[Ekserb]

Good heavens, you call yourself an amateur? Then what the hell does it take to be a professional?
Umm... now I'm having second thoughts about you photographing me... you'd bring out in excruciatingly painful detail every single line on my face and every spot of cellulite on my butt
Buttt... who am I trying to kid, truth is I'd kill for some real good photos
Thank you, I truly appreciate the offer and wishing you that you set up the studio of your dreams the soonest

Professionals get paid. People like me like to think of ourselves as "advanced amateurs."

The best photographers can make anyone look 18. Hehee.

 

[tigerjen]

Had a bit of fun last night. I have recently joined a social club called Events and Adventures. It's an activities club for singles - no married people allowed. For a hefty yearly membership, you can pick and choose from a bunch of events that are scheduled throughout the month, and while yo're having fun you might meet someone interesting and decide to go out on a date or whatever. It'a kinda neat, and after just two events I've met a bunch of people and a few of them seem to be a lot of fun to be with.

Last night was SoBe Bowling. There's a bowling alley on South Beach called Lucky Strike and it's kind of a cross between a bowling alley and a night club. About twenty-five other members showed up for this event and my lane had the best looking women, so I was having a good time. I met a nice looking doctor and a lawyer, but it was really just as much fun to get out of the house (especially after the last few hurricanes) and have fun wth a group of single adults.

Anyway, it was fun. I am signed up for a couple more things later in the month, including a day at the races where our group will be sponsoring one of the horses and if it wins we'll get a picture of all of us in the winner's circle. I'll definitely take my camera to that event as I would love to get some shots of the horses as they leave the gate.

Oh wow that sounds real fun, Ekserb!
I haven't bowled for at least a couple of years now but do enjoy it...hehee.....
I think its awesome you joined up w/ a singles group........wish I had the time
for that (and money!) but I'm sure its fun when you get to pick which events
and parties you go to

 

[Ekserb]

Oh wow that sounds real fun, Ekserb!
I haven't bowled for at least a couple of years now but do enjoy it...hehee.....
I think its awesome you joined up w/ a singles group........wish I had the time
for that (and money!) but I'm sure its fun when you get to pick which events
and parties you go to

It is fun, but there have been a few cancellations of events due to hurricane damage. In fact, I was signed up for a Glow Mini Golf event next Monday night but just got an email that it has been postponed. The facility suffered some damage in the storm and they are moving to a new location, so they will be issuing refunds to everyone who signed up. Bummer. I was looking forward to it.

Oops, my pizza is ready! Bye for now!