[Wizmo]

I took these during the Grand Re-opening of the Cayman Catboat Cluhouse, George Town, Grand Cayman - re-modeled after 10 years of neglect after the destruction wrought by Hurricane Ivan.

The fundraising for the rehabilitation of this over 100 year-old cultural icon on the George Town waterfront took 10 years and the involvement of many corporate partners. The "Whitehall Bay" building is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. It is located adjacent to the world famous Lobster Pot Restaurant & Dive Centre.

Filename - IMG_896423-CR.JPG
Model - Canon EOS 60D - ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 16 - ISOSpeedRatings - 400
FocalLength - 32 mm

Does anyone know what these local flowers (weeds really) are called?

Filename - IMG_896690-CR.JPG
Model - Canon EOS 60D - ExposureTime - 1/250 seconds
FNumber - 7.10 - ISOSpeedRatings - 400
FocalLength - 200 mm [MACRO]

Filename - IMG_896691-CR.JPG
Model - Canon EOS 60D - ExposureTime - 1/250 seconds
FNumber - 7.10 - ISOSpeedRatings - 400
FocalLength - 200 mm [MACRO]

__________________
In this world there are too many politicians and far too much politics.

Poly - meaning many
tics - meaning blood-sucking parasites

 

[Wizmo]

I'm trying to find the 'before' picture of the clubhouse right after IVAN in Sept. 2004 which shows the level of devastation and the massive chsnge of this building since. The original roof and 'wattle & daub' construction was retained and a modern concrete and stell shell was built over (and inside) the original. The building and windows/doors are now hurricane rated. When I find that before picture I will post it.

__________________
In this world there are too many politicians and far too much politics.

Poly - meaning many
tics - meaning blood-sucking parasites

 

[Wizmo]

I just 'discovered' this forum by way of a mention in the recent discussions notices and decided to check it out. I have my own website hosting and ftp storage where I can host some of my thousands of photos which I have never made public.

I don't use any of the usual places like flicker or such as I try to keep my public profile very low and 'under the radar' for personal reasons. I've had too many of my photos 'stolen' without proper photo credit and have decided to fight back by simply not sharing anything. There was (and still is) a prominent local person going through a federal prosecution (more like persecution!) and ALL of the photos circulating of him are MINE, with NO PHOTO CREDIT being given. Where I have threatened legal action there has been some belated credit given, but it has been very little.

I'll try to be a regular contributor here, but will watch carefully to see if any of the postings get wider distribution, especially without proper photo credit.

__________________
In this world there are too many politicians and far too much politics.

Poly - meaning many
tics - meaning blood-sucking parasites

 

[Wizmo]

all the plants only get the sun from 'outside', all the flowers (+ bees) are on the wrong side of the railings for me to get at..... :sigh:

I did get a couple of nice 'specimen' flower-shots though and in my favouritest colour :grin:

If these plants are on a balcony in pots, they should be rotated 180 degrees on a regular basis to keep the growth balanced. This would allow you to get photos of the flowers and bees much better!

You share my favorite color as well!

__________________
In this world there are too many politicians and far too much politics.

Poly - meaning many
tics - meaning blood-sucking parasites

 

[Wizmo]

I often use an embedded (ie hidden) watermark that can only be seen in certain software. This has worked in my favor several times, and resulted in some proper photo credit and even some compen$ation a few times. I shoot so much that it has become a hassle to do this, but in anything that gets published I still take the time to embed it.

Placing a visible watermark I feel mars the beauty and integrity of a photo.

__________________
In this world there are too many politicians and far too much politics.

Poly - meaning many
tics - meaning blood-sucking parasites

 

[Wizmo]

Twilight is often a great time to get well saturated photos (witness the flower photos above) as the light is most diffuse and less harsh. Often a small amount of fill-flash will help to bring the exposure more into line as needed. I especially enjoy shooting sunset weddings for this reason.

When I do wedding photography, I always use a small amount of fill-flash, even outdoors in daylight to make harsh shadows less of an issue. It especially helps in "salt & pepper" (mixed ethnicity) ceremonies, and if the marriage officer happens to be much darker than the celebrants, even more-so. This is often the case in the Caribbean. Worst of all is a bride in brilliant white and a dark-skinned groom in a pitch black suit! Try getting balanced exposure without doing exposure bracketing, which often causes you to miss critical moments. It is very difficult to capture the fine details in a delicate white dress without such compensations. I use the fill-flash to equalize out the overall exposure to good effect most times (with a few exceptions).

We can only do the best we can with the subject matter and light available....

__________________
In this world there are too many politicians and far too much politics.

Poly - meaning many
tics - meaning blood-sucking parasites

 

[Wizmo]

I wanted to share the photo applications I find most useful:

=====================================================================================
My favorite photo tools:

IrfanView (**FREE**! current version 4.38)

NOTE: Use caution when using the built-in Windows Photo Gallery, as it physically CHANGES photo files when you do any adjustments
for viewing, such as ROTATE IMAGE! That's why IrfanView is my DEFAULT photo viewing utility.

Corel Paintshop Pro (current version X6 - 1/10 the cost of Photoshop and all the same features!)

**FREE** for the truly budget-minded there is also GIMP.
=====================================================================================

That's it folks, my personal tool chest for photography. Been using these for over 10 years now, through many different versions and feature upgrades. There is a plug-in add-on for IrfanView which is VERY useful as well.

Many beautiful images, and much fun in the pursuit. :grin: :thumb: :wink:

__________________
In this world there are too many politicians and far too much politics.

Poly - meaning many
tics - meaning blood-sucking parasites

 

[Wizmo]

Looks rather intimidating, but nice image!
__________________
In this world there are too many politicians and far too much politics.

Poly - meaning many
tics - meaning blood-sucking parasites

 

[Wizmo]

"I don't like spiders and snakes, and that ain't what it takes to love me, like I wanna be loved by you...."

OK, name the song & artist! No fair Googling, do it from memory!!:whistling:

__________________
In this world there are too many politicians and far too much politics.

Poly - meaning many
tics - meaning blood-sucking parasites

 

[Wizmo]

@ WereBo
Awesome photos of the tall ships and assorted others! Someday I hope to attend such an event, either in Boston Harbor or better yet in your "neck of the woods." Thanks for contributing and making my day!

__________________
"Hide not your talents, they for use were made,
What's a sundial in the shade?”
- Benjamin Franklin

"Remember - HARDWARE is the part of the computer that can be KICKED!"
- WIZMO

 

[Wizmo]

@ WereBo
Did you see a Russian ship, STS Sedov in the display?

From Wikipedia:

The STS Sedov (Russian: Седов), formerly the Magdalene Vinnen II (1921–1936) and the Kommodore Johnsen (–1948), is a 4-masted steel barque that for almost 80 years was the largest traditional sailing ship in operation. Originally built as a German cargo ship, the Sedov is today a sail training vessel, training cadets from the universities of Murmansk, Saint Petersburg and Arkhangelsk. She participates regularly in the big maritime international events as a privileged host and has also been a regular participant in The Tall Ships' Races.

I have a considerable amount of souvenirs from this ship as I visited it when it was in Norfolk VA back in the early 90's. One of my business associates (native Russian) got us a total behind the scenes tour including lunch with the Captain & First mate. It was here I first tasted genuine Beluga Caviar!

They made sure we had all the most important memorabilia including a medallion with the ship's name & image in bronze. It also included a pair of Cuban cigars, from their previous port of call!! If I can lay my hands on the medallion I will take a photo. It may still be at the family home in NC however.


__________________
"Hide not your talents, they for use were made,
What's a sundial in the shade?”
- Benjamin Franklin

"Remember - HARDWARE is the part of the computer that can be KICKED!"
- WIZMO

 

[Wizmo]

Re: Photo Gallery - Tall Ships

@WereBo

I found the schedule for the STS Sedov on her website. You'll have to venture to Liverpool next year in March to see her:

STS Sedov scheduled in Liverpool UK, 22.03.2015 - 28.03.2015

2015 Schedule
schedule 2015 :: Schedule 2015

2014 Schedule
Barque Sedov online booking :: Booking

I also found the reference to the 1992 sailing of the STS Sedov at the bottom of the page here:

News about STS Sedov :: News :: Barque “Sedov”: operation “sail” and Strait of Messina.

"After sailing through the Strait of Messina, the barque will enter the Tyrrhenian Sea that borders on the Ligurian Sea with its port of Genoa, from where in the year of 1992 the international regatta “Columbus 500” dedicated to the quincentenary of the discovery of America started. The veterans of the “Sedov” still remember that unforgettable route: Italian Genoa – Spanish Cadis and Santa Cruz de Tenerife – San Juan in Puerto Rico – American New-York, Norfolk, Boston and finally Liverpool, crossing the ocean under sails filled with the powerful trade winds, heaviest storm during the passage from Boston to Liverpool and safe return to the home port of Murmansk."

__________________
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.”
- Benjamin Franklin

"Remember - HARDWARE is the part of the computer that can be KICKED!"
- WIZMO

 

[Wizmo]

Taken from next to the Cutty Sark, the proposed dockyard is where the low green(ish) row of sheds are, immediately behind the street-light....

I think if you look closely at that last photo you will find it is in fact one of the thousands of CCTV cameras placed all over the UK landscape. BTW, with all those cameras everywhere, who actually looks at and determines what is of interest and what is not? Surely there must be an enormous bureaucracy involved with the camera system??

__________________
“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.”
-- Benjamin Franklin

"Remember - HARDWARE is the part of the computer that can be KICKED!"
- WIZMO

 

[Wizmo]

Hi Zulu,

The satellite dish shot looks almost like an infra-red exposure image! All in all great shots!

 

[Wizmo]

This little fellow ('Owlfie', Bengal Eagle Owl) really took a shine to me when I took his piccie, When I thanked him for a lovely pose, he started chirruping back to me so we had a wonderful conversation between us (even one of the handlers, stood behind me, called a colleague over to watch, they'd never seen Owlfie behave like it before). When I left he started screeching at the top of his lungs, until I went back, then he quietened down to chirruping again :nonono:


Little did little 'Owlfie' know you were the true top level predator in that henhouse!!

 

[Wizmo]

Not all my pics had the subject so sharp though, I was reeeaally cursing the 'Autofocus' at times :grin:

This is why I always use SPOT metering in situations like this. Point it at the beak or feet and re-compose - and . . . gotcha!!

 

[Wizmo]

Spot-focussing is defaulted, but the camera's 'spot' was larger than the hole in the mesh though :lol: - I think I'll write to the camera companies and suggest they offer 'custom cameras', i.e. a bridge-camera with manual focus, uses AA batteries, instant shutter-release and some customisable buttons :grin:

Geez, you don't want much, eh!?!? :rofl:

On all my Canons, I've had very good results with spot metering of caged critters. - YMMV

We have a lot of tropical birds on display all over the place here! :whistling:

You made quite an impression on that little owl though. I've had a similar experience with a crippled eagle at a rescue ranch in Texas. It was "normally shy and reserved" according to the staff, but when I approached it began to get very animated and jumped right on my shoulder, to the shock and amazement of the handler! She had a devil of a time separating us!!

 

[Wizmo]

I tend to be 'luckier' with dogs more than birds, I've seen dogs drag their owners across the road, just so they can say 'Hello', sniff and lick my hands and wag their tail at me :grin:

I recently observed a neighbor chasing her dog up and down the street for over 15 minutes. Each time she would get close to him, he would bolt away. After watching for 15 minutes, I walked calmly out to about 10 feet from the dog, and simply whistled! He came right to me and sat at heel!! I grasped his collar and handed him over to the shocked owner!! :rofl:

He was having far too much fun playing 'catch me if you can' with the her. Mind, I've never interacted with this dog before as it is usually tied out. Didn't even know his name until that day...

Go figure! :whistling:

 

[Wizmo]

I was deaf by the time I got out on the South-side :nonono:....

:grin:

Are you certain the trip through the tunnel had anything to do with that... :grin: :hide:

:rofl:

 

[Wizmo]

I can't tell from the EXIF data what exact lens was used, but the second photo of the flowers taken on 2013:09:22 16:17:52 (according to the EXIF) did recognize the 50mm lens. The first of the wine bottle taken 2011:08:31 15:06:11 (according to the EXIF) did NOT detect the lens focal length, probably because the earlier model lens did not report the data.

I do note you carefully adjusted your exposure with full manual mode - extra points!

Filename - Still Life 2.jpg
ImageWidth - 2819
ImageLength - 2033
BitsPerSample - 8 8 8
PhotometricInterpretation - 2
Make - PENTAX Corporation
Model - PENTAX K10D
Orientation - Top left
SamplesPerPixel - 3
XResolution - 240
YResolution - 240
ResolutionUnit - Inch
Software - Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows)
DateTime - 2013:12:06 17:01:09
ExifOffset - 288
ExposureTime - 1/125 seconds
ExposureProgram - Manual control
ISOSpeedRatings - 100
ExifVersion - 0221
DateTimeOriginal - 2011:08:31 15:06:11
DateTimeDigitized - 2011:08:31 15:06:11
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/125 seconds
ExposureBiasValue - 0.00
MeteringMode - Spot
Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode
ColorSpace - Uncalibrated/Unknown (-1)
ExifImageWidth - 2819
ExifImageHeight - 2033
SensingMethod - One-chip color area sensor
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Manual
White Balance - Auto
SceneCaptureType - Standard
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Normal
SubjectDistanceRange - Unknown

Thumbnail: -
Compression - 6 (JPG)
XResolution - 240
YResolution - 240
ResolutionUnit - Inch
JpegIFOffset - 718
JpegIFByteCount - 5883


Filename - Flowers and Cask.jpg
Make - PENTAX Corporation
Model - PENTAX K10D
Orientation - Top left
XResolution - 240
YResolution - 240
ResolutionUnit - Inch
Software - Adobe Photoshop Elements 13.0 (Windows)
DateTime - 2015:04:03 16:10:22
ExifOffset - 232
ExposureTime - 1/30 seconds
ExposureProgram - Manual control
ISOSpeedRatings - 200
ExifVersion - 0221
DateTimeOriginal - 2013:09:22 16:17:52
DateTimeDigitized - 2013:09:22 16:17:52
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/30 seconds
ExposureBiasValue - 0.00
MeteringMode - Center weighted average
Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode
FocalLength - 50.00 mm
ColorSpace - Uncalibrated/Unknown (-1)
ExifImageWidth - 1843
ExifImageHeight - 2458
SensingMethod - One-chip color area sensor
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Manual
White Balance - Auto
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 75 mm
SceneCaptureType - Standard
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Normal
SubjectDistanceRange - Unknown

Thumbnail: -
Compression - 6 (JPG)
XResolution - 240
YResolution - 240
ResolutionUnit - Inch
JpegIFOffset - 694
JpegIFByteCount - 6457