quote:

---

> I've got a photo printed in our local evening newspaper...:
> http://boltondave.fotopic.net/p20717179.html

quote:

---

> I've got a photo printed in our local evening newspaper...:
> http://boltondave.fotopic.net/p20717179.html

quote:

---

> High five!!!!! Did they print it in color, or B&W?

quote:

---

> More importantly, did you get credit for it? (Hope so!!)

quote:

---

> I remember the rush the first time one of the local TV
> stations here used one of my photos for a background- I
> felt really fat-headed for about an hour. :o}~

quote:

---

> On 27 Feb 2006 08:07:17 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Colour.
>
>
> Name at the bottom, that's all.

quote:

---

>
> It only struck home this morning... it wouldn't be just myself that
> was looking at the photo this time.

quote:

---

> That's the part that counts!

quote:

---

> Bit of a rush, isn't it?

quote:

---

> On 1 Mar 2006 06:22:38 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Aye, true.
>
> ... especially when members of the BCC (they who see me as having
> achieved not much) will also be seeing the photo. ;)

quote:

---

>
> Nah, just a surprise, that's all.

quote:

---

> ROFL
>
> Wish I could see the "webmaster's" face....... LOL

quote:

---

> Yeah, I bet you grinned real big for awhile though. :D

quote:

---

> On 2 Mar 2006 08:51:26 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> I might attend tonight, purely for the subject of the discussion,
> y'understand.

quote:

---

> ROFL Well, did you? :D

quote:

---

> On 3 Mar 2006 09:00:57 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> I did attend. And what a change, now there's people actually talking
> to me.
>
> ... or trying to.
>
> Those that talked to me when I first started attending, no problems...
> I'll talk with them.
>
> Those that looked down on me as a newcomer who could do nothing, other
> than play with expensive plastic toys that are meant to be cameras...
> they got the cold-shoulder.
>
> There was a newcomer too, last night, who'd seen the article in the
> paper and had decided to pay a visit. I'm not sure what was said
> between him and our president, as I was introduced as "that man (who
> had) took that photo". The club also got an inkling of what I know,
> after the newcomer saying he was looking for a camera with image
> stabilising... and I rattled off a number of models, and mentioned
> that various SLR cameras have IS lenses (or VR for Nikons), but he'd
> pay dearly for those.
>
> There was a look of "Wtf?" on some peoples faces. ;)

quote:

---

>^,,^< Miracle

quote:

---

> Very good! :D I was reading up on image stabilizing the other
> night- there was a small Canon on sale at QVC that had it. That led to
> a look-see at all the Canon models, and a comparison of features.
> I got so totally confused I had to stop. :o}
>
> But it seems to me that the cheapest (least expensive) Canon was
> still right about $200, and for a point & shoot I want to throw in my
> purse, I think I'd rather spend less.
> Any suggestions?

quote:

---

> There was a look of "Wtf?" on some peoples faces. ;)

quote:

---

> The club also got an inkling of what I know,
> after the newcomer saying he was looking for a camera with image
> stabilising... and I rattled off a number of models, and mentioned
> that various SLR cameras have IS lenses (or VR for Nikons), but he'd
> pay dearly for those.
>
> There was a look of "Wtf?" on some peoples faces. ;)

quote:

---

> On 3 Mar 2006 15:14:02 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Have a look at...:
> http://www.dpreview.com/

quote:

---

>
> Have a look at...:
> http://www.dpreview.com/
> ... and...:
> http://www.steves-digicams.com/

quote:

---

>^,,^< Miracle

quote:

---

> Mr K wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Hey, I really like some of the features at DP Review, but
> getting a better price is best done at Steve's. I've narrowed
> it down to 2 cameras: either a Sony CyberShot 5.1 MP or a
> Canon PowerShot 5.3 MP.
> I'll do a hands-on in town, decide, then buy online. :D
>
> Thanks Dave, I owe ya another one.

quote:

---

> Hey, I really like some of the features at DP Review, but
> getting a better price is best done at Steve's. I've narrowed
> it down to 2 cameras: either a Sony CyberShot 5.1 MP or a
> Canon PowerShot 5.3 MP.

quote:

---

> I'll do a hands-on in town, decide, then buy online. :D

quote:

---

> Thanks Dave, I owe ya another one.

quote:

---

> From what I've picked up here and there, Canon has the better optics,
> in general.
>
> Friend of mine has a 7.1MP IXUS point-n-shoot, which is absolutely tiny
> and takes some quite nice pictures, while also having quite a few manual
> features just in case you want to get fancy.

quote:

---

> Holy shit. I clicked on your camera (Column on the right- "Most
> Popular Cameras") and read the specs. I know I read a description
> before now, but evidently I skimmed over it. This is an awesome
> unit, dude! Makes my Mavicas look sick.
>
> Okay, on with reading and bookmarking.......

quote:

---

> From what I've picked up here and there, Canon has the better optics,
> in general.
>
> Friend of mine has a 7.1MP IXUS point-n-shoot, which is absolutely
> tiny and takes some quite nice pictures, while also having quite a
> few manual features just in case you want to get fancy.

quote:

---

>^,,^< Miracle

quote:

---

> Fyi, DP Review seems to always award a "Recomended" to any camera it
> reviews. Imho, this lessens the 'award's value.

quote:

---

> Y'can't beat hands-on reviews.

quote:

---

> Unless of course, the review's written by some braindead gobshite who
> bought a camera several years ago, only to find that one of the two
> supplied AA/MN1500 batteries was a bit low on juice, so their
> cheapass toy wouldn't fire up until they coughed up £5 for a new set
> of batteries.

quote:

---

> Yeah, whatever.

quote:

---

> Bah, I don't read the reviews, I look at the features. No matter
> what you buy, you run the risk of picking a lemon, eh?

quote:

---

> That's my opinion exactly!

quote:

---

> Hmmm, and who would that braindead gobshite be? :D

quote:

---

> I'm wearing you down, I just know it............ ;)

quote:

---

> On 5 Mar 2006 08:43:37 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
> Normally they're spotted lurking in forums related to such items
> (software/hardware/etc), and are the first to 'review' a new product.
> They prey on as-yet-unreleased products, and get kicks from spitting
> venom at the manufacturers, simply because of their experience with
> low-powered batteries several years before.

quote:

---

>
> Nah, the "6am start for 7 days non-stop" has worn me down.

quote:

---

> There *must* be a Flame Warrior for that sort- have you a
> chance to look? http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/index.htm

quote:

---

> Jeez, it seems like you were just working nights, and now early
> mornings?!? How often does your schedule change?

quote:

---

> I have always hated rotating shifts- just as soon as you adjust,
> you're moved to another shift and your sleep gets f00ked over.

quote:

---

> On 6 Mar 2006 05:57:44 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Hmm... possibly...:
> http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/wa...provocateur.htm
> http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/wa...m/lonelyguy.htm
> ... or even...:
> http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/wa.../tinyyapper.htm

quote:

---

>
> Once every three weeks.

quote:

---

>
> Heh. Our desk has no night-shift, thankfully. Early mornings or late
> evenings are the extreme ends. I've done a week of early mornings, I'm
> currently doing a stint of "dinner rota" shift and am planning on
> going the full week again, so I can get all next week off.

quote:

---

> Hmmm.......I'm not sure. I know a typical Tiny Yapper, and a
> female version of Lonely Guy, and I don't think that's quite it.....
>
> Possibly an Infant Provocateur.....

quote:

---

> Well, there's a plus.

quote:

---

> It's a long haul until Friday.

quote:

---

> <pats Mr K on the shoulder>
>
> By the time you read this, it'll be midweek!! :o}

quote:

---

> On 8 Mar 2006 09:00:22 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Nah, bugger that. By the middle of yesterday, my brain had given up.

quote:

---

> I totally understand that now, since I managed to sleep
> until Friday.............
>
> Well hey, it's FRIDAY! w00t!

quote:

---

> On 10 Mar 2006 17:11:09 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Yup, and I've got a whole two extra days left.

quote:

---

> Plenty of time to get accustomed to my new toy... a Minolta
> Autocord...: http://tinyurl.com/ogb5g

quote:

---

>^,,^< Miracle

quote:

---

> You sure know how to harsh a buzz!! LOL

quote:

---

> <green with envy> You need to quit bitchin' about working
> if you can afford toys like that!! :D

quote:

---

> Gee, if I managed to spot one of those at a yard sale or whatever,
> you can bet it would be all rusted and ruined. One in that condition
> from a collector would probably be very dear.

quote:

---

> OWFI, I'm gonna get me a Nyquil buzz and go back to bed......

quote:

---

> On 10 Mar 2006 18:03:09 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> ... uh?

quote:

---

>
> Work funds my pasttime. My pasttime keeps me sane. Sanity enables me
> to keep working.
>
> 'tis a vicious circle.

quote:

---

>
> How about £28? Its one problem... stiff focussing.

quote:

---

>
> :/

quote:

---

>^,,^< Miracle, hacking up a hairball, evidently

quote:

---

> Um, perhaps "ruin a high" is the best literal translation.

quote:

---

> God, I hate you! That's less than $75!
>
><pleading voice>
> Think you might find another at that price?
></pleading voice>

quote:

---

> Well hey, compared to Annie & Sandy, I'm doing very well. :o{
>
> (But then, please excuse any bitchiness I might exhibit for the
> next few days- whatever I've gotten isn't leaving soon enough, and
> I've begun to cough.)

quote:

---

> Gee, I'm just a XXXXing ray of sunshine lately, huh? :o}~

quote:

---

> I had a look on Ebay last night.
>
> £28 for a TLR in this condition again? Not a bloody chance.

quote:

---

> <raises paws up to the gods> How did I know this?!?!?!

quote:

---

> On 12 Mar 2006 09:51:50 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> There is an Autocord currently on Ebay, selling for £49. The seller
> notes that there's a problem with the nameplate... it's not attached
> as it should be.
>
> There's also one on the US Ebay, looks like a V2, going for $279.
>
> Shit, I've just realised... my BCC membership was more than what I
> paid for this Autocord! Looks like I've found a reason to keep going.

quote:

---

> LOL!!
>
> I went hunting on eBay last night, and man did I find some
> real jewels! I got outbid on 2 Minoltas that ended earlier today,
> but I'm going to keep looking for some bargains. There's all sorts
> of kewl stuff!

quote:

---

> Gotta keep my head about me, though- I'm still saving my
> pennies for a vacation in the UK!

quote:

---

> On 13 Mar 2006 09:30:15 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> There can also be all kinds of dodgy stuff. Things like "I never
> noticed that. I thought $ITEM was meant to be like that", apparently
> common with Autocords... "I've always wondered how it would focus, I
> never knew that metal bit that stuck out was essential".

quote:

---

> Well, after looking at the vast variety, I realized that I could
> get some lenses I want for dirt cheap that are made for my
> Minolta 35mm SLR. I can replace my off-brand ones with the
> Rokkor I always wanted.
> Of course, with anything on eBay, one must beware!

quote:

---

> I've got a goodly pile of stuff I need to sell there so as to pay
> for my "wish list". Just need to get off my XXX and take the pics
> to put up. :o}

quote:

---

> On 13 Mar 2006 13:17:52 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
> Heh, always the case. I've gotta decide on whether I get some photos
> printed out for Thursday (BCC competition), or whether I stick to
> being the awkward sod who repeats "You have the digital equipment,
> you'll have to get your act together to see my work"?
>
> Otoh, the prints section isn't themed, the digtal section was being
> themed. Prints photos are diverse in theme, style and presentation.
> The digital section is "on hold until further notice".
>
> Decisions decisions.

quote:

---

>^,,^< Miracle

quote:

---

> Easy! Get some Fuji paper* and make the prints. Make some
> extras while you're at it and send them off to family & friends.
> They'll love you for it and you'll have a keen sense of accomplishment.
>

quote:

---

> *= I love Fuji paper over all the others- best color, imho.

quote:

---

> On 14 Mar 2006 10:00:59 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Hmm.

quote:

---

>
> Colour?

quote:

---

> C'mon, just do it. ;)

quote:

---

> Yep. Print the same negative on both Kodak and Fuji, and I
> guarantee you'll like the Fuji print better. Throw in a third or
> fourth brand of paper, and you'll know which *you* prefer.
>
>

quote:

---

> On 15 Mar 2006 14:07:36 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Well, my senior took a photo of mine home for his son. His son
> apparently loved the photo.

quote:

---

>
> Dunno if you noticed, but the majority of my photos are converted to
> b+w. ;)

quote:

---

> Of course he did!

quote:

---

> Oh. Yeah, this is true........ <slaps forehead>

quote:

---

>On 16 Mar 2006 16:58:57 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
>Shame I couldn't say the same about the bastard judge we had tonight. My
>photos lasted a minute with him ("Nope, doesn't work. Next!", "Nope,
>where's the rest? Next!", "Nope, nice, but... nope. Next!"), all put on
>the rejects pile.
>
>His "choice" of winning photo, the bloke who'd entered it kept it quiet
>that it'd been heavily manipulated (I only found out by overhearing him
>afterwards) in Adobe Photoshop, to make it look ... 'perfect'.
>
>The judge had also included blatently manipulated images into his "best
>of" selection. I take photos, I don't play around in art packages.
>
>It's the last time I'll put photos in for a competition.
>
>Oh, and the digital "competition" is set to start (yep, again) in August.
>I'm not going to loose sleep over this.
>
>
>

quote:

---

> Just use Photoshop to put the judge in a compromising situation with a
> sheep, you know, as a back up to your real photos. :D

quote:

---

> Shame I couldn't say the same about the bastard judge we had tonight.
> My photos lasted a minute with him ("Nope, doesn't work. Next!",
> "Nope, where's the rest? Next!", "Nope, nice, but... nope. Next!"),
> all put on the rejects pile.
>
> His "choice" of winning photo, the bloke who'd entered it kept it
> quiet that it'd been heavily manipulated (I only found out by
> overhearing him afterwards) in Adobe Photoshop, to make it look ...
> 'perfect'.
>
> The judge had also included blatently manipulated images into his
> "best of" selection. I take photos, I don't play around in art
> packages.
>
> It's the last time I'll put photos in for a competition.
>
> Oh, and the digital "competition" is set to start (yep, again) in
> August. I'm not going to loose sleep over this.

quote:

---

>^,,^< Miracle

quote:

---

> Just use Photoshop to put the judge in a compromising situation with a
> sheep, you know, as a back up to your real photos. :D

quote:

---

> On Fri, 17 Mar 2006 06:13:39 -0600, Smeghead wrote:
>
>
> Nope, sorry, I just can't let myself do that.

quote:

---

> Bah, ignore that XXXXing idiot.

quote:

---

> What we need to do is find another venue to display your photos. I'll
> have a go at finding some juried contests or showings.

quote:

---

> One thing that's available to we Yumans is a feature at one of the
> local TV stations- they gladly feature digital photos of "weather shots"
> during the weather report segments several times a day.
> They give full credit, and if you've included details such as when
> and where the photo was taken, they report that as well.
> Not a big woo, granted, but it does allow photos to get a huge viewing
> audience.

quote:

---

> Oh, how I love this idea!!! LOL

quote:

---

> On 17 Mar 2006 19:16:59 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> It bit, last night. Getting some faked photos into the final
> selection.
>
> I know it's "pot luck", and every judge likes different things, but...
> nnngh.
>
> It *really* bit. >

quote:

---

>^,,^< Miracle

quote:

---

> <long-distance reach with arms to hug you>
>
> I know how that must have stung.
>
> /me takes a few moments to send sympathetic vibes
> across the ocean.

quote:

---

> Well, perhaps they'll have one final chance... the re-scheduled
> digital photo competition, but I fear this will be just as faked. :/

quote:

---

>^,,^< Miracle

quote:

---

> On 17 Mar 2006 20:42:11 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> S'ok, I've got a few cans of stella artois, and a weekend of F1 to
> enjoy.

quote:

---

> S'ok, I've got a few cans of stella artois, and a weekend of F1 to
> enjoy.

quote:

---

> What's F1?

quote:

---

> You know as well as I that the more photos you take between
> now and then, the more stellar examples you will have to enter.
> So buck up and don't let this most recent disappointment deter
> you from doing your utmost to win the digital competition.

quote:

---

> Worst Case Scenario: You don't win. Yet you get more experience
> and perhaps enough determination to register with a stock photo
> agency, or something similar.
>
>

quote:

---

> WTF? *Cans*?!?!? Not bottles?
>
> Ewwwwwwww.........................................
>
> ;)

quote:

---

> Nah, cba with that stuff.

quote:

---

> On 17 Mar 2006 20:55:13 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Formula One. Fast cars that go round and round in circles.

quote:

---

> On 17 Mar 2006 20:58:39 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> Nah, not any more. The cans are stuck in a small fridge, and get
> emptied into a glass.

quote:

---

> LOL Putting on airs, are we? ;)

quote:

---

> No fair, you cheated me out of the full phrase!

quote:

---

> On 17 Mar 2006 19:16:59 GMT, Miracle wrote:
>
>
> It bit, last night. Getting some faked photos into the final selection.
>
> I know it's "pot luck", and every judge likes different things, but...
> nnngh.
>
> It *really* bit. >

quote:

---

>
> Well, perhaps they'll have one final chance... the re-scheduled digital
> photo competition, but I fear this will be just as faked. :/

quote:

---

> This is why holding up creative or skillful (or, preferably, both)
> products to an entirely arbitrary judge is not a good idea.

quote:

---

> Judges? We don't need no steenkin' judges. Criticism, that's what you
> need, and if they just stand there with nothing to say that doesn't boil
> down to "I wish I did that", that's when you win.

quote:

---

> Now, retouching your photo's should be done if you take holiday snaps to
> be stored, or memorable moments, where the subject is more important
> than the camerawork.

quote:

---

> Being able to do it well is a skillset in itself, and certainly worthy
> of credit.

quote:

---

> But when you're in a contest that is about making good photographs,
> well, Photoshop doesn't prove you can take good photo's.

quote:

---

> On Fri, 17 Mar 2006 23:19:21 +0100, Frank van Schie wrote:
>
>
>
> What doesn't help is that currently there's no defined theme to the
> competition. The "judge" has to pick out his choice from all manner of
> subject matter.
>
> Last night, we had photo themes ranging from macro, to landscape, to
> portrait, to natural history, to candid (yep, the judge didn't understand
> "candid" photography)... from colour, to "tinted", to black and white.

quote:

---

> The digital competition was destined to be themed, but I fear this will be
> just as abused. :/

quote:

---

>
> Each to their own, I guess. But yes, such images should be left out of
> competitions.
>
> ... something I've believed in for years... keep blatently-altered photos
> out of competitions.

quote:

---

>
> Aye.

quote:

---

> Candid... "Well why didn't you arrange his hand like so, to better
> complement that area of dark in the lower left?"

quote:

---

> Themes are good. Themes prevent random shutterbugging. I very much like
> the way Daily Sketch Groups work, and wonder if that can be extended to
> photography.
>
> Example (currently a bit odd in terms of topics):
> http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=39

quote:

---

> Detail is important, but secondary to things like composition. It seems
> to me that this could be expanded to photography in some way, though
> less outlandish topics would certainly help.
>
> I say odd topics, because they used to have things like "Scene: Death of
> a world" or "Creature: Jungle king", and stuff like that, open to
> interpretation.

quote:

---

> Out of competitions that are supposed to measure photographers, I'd say.
>
> Images that are *used* for something should be edited if it improves
> their functionality.

quote:

---

> Arrrr.

quote:

---

>
> "Worker. What a strange title. He's not working much, is he? He's looking
> for a cig. Well, he's in overalls, yes... the area of... ... no, sorry, it
> doesn't work... no action... next!"...:
> http://boltondave.fotopic.net/p20297215.html
>
> *shrug*
>
> Not the best photo I have, I know... but...

quote:

---

> "COCKATIEL IS PILOT IN EXPERIMENTAL CRAFT'S COCKPIT"
>
> ... riiight.

quote:

---

> Well, we already have (or had, at least) one theme that was open to
> interpretation, that of "Movement and motion".

quote:

---

>
> Want a tricorner for that affliction? ;)

quote:

---

> It seems obvious. Worker on a break, or looking for things to work on.

quote:

---

> Indeed. I did not read that far down, but the rest should have clued me
> in. It's gone downhill. Although there are gems of art in there, for the
> fact that they've been conceived and produced in under a day.

quote:

---

> There you can say "I don't see the motion", which is valid enough, and
> not entirely whimsy.

quote:

---

> I have no affliction, nor an idea of what a tricorner is. Like a
> tricorder, but all bendy?

quote:

---

> XXXXing judge. >

quote:

---

> When he's not a photo judge, he's probably an admin over at HV. ;)

quote:

---

> On Sat, 18 Mar 2006 00:27:37 +0100, Frank van Schie wrote:
>
>
> You got it on the second one.

quote:

---

>
> A friend suggested I interpret it as "Moment frozen in time". As soon as
> he did that, out came relevant photos.

quote:

---

>
> Er... no, not quite...:
> http://balsgrotten.com/images/8448t.jpg

quote:

---

> ... ignore the fact that it's a semi-starkers bloke with hair extensions,
> and a chopper in his hand.

quote:

---

> Michael Bolton's "eveil" twin broethr? ;)

quote:

---

> And I don't know nuttin' 'bout photographics.

quote:

---

> Creative interpretation of theme allows you to pretty much enter
> anything. Check.

quote:

---

> I like my interpretation better, even though it makes slightly less sense.

quote:

---

> Duly noted that this is the image you chose. You're a photographer,
> there be no accidents, I'm sure.

quote:

---

> Makes sense; twins should share interests. Those damn movie twins have
> extremely poor childhoods, what with the wildly diverging moral standpoints.

quote:

---

> On Sat, 18 Mar 2006 16:05:45 +0100, Frank van Schie wrote:
>
>
>
>

quote:

---

>
> But it still has to have a certain relevance. ;)

quote:

---

>
> I only searched for pirates hats.

quote:

---

>
> Michael Bolton likes to swing cutlasses?

quote:

---

> A man of few, or no, words, eh?

quote:

---

> A better example from that site (for you, at any rate) might be:
> http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=58

quote:

---

> Where they have photo challenges with polls, too. I do believe they
> aren't averse to photo manipulation, but well, at least it's a jury of
> peers.

quote:

---

> That's what I'd say, too.

quote:

---

> Wouldn't you, if you were Michael Bolton?

quote:

---

> "Worker. What a strange title. He's not working much, is he? He's
> looking for a cig. Well, he's in overalls, yes... the area of... ...
> no, sorry, it doesn't work... no action... next!"...:
> http://boltondave.fotopic.net/p20297215.html

quote:

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> Mr K wrote:
>

quote:

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> "Worker. What a strange title. He's not working much, is he? He's
> looking for a cig. Well, he's in overalls, yes... the area of... ...
> no, sorry, it doesn't work... no action... next!"...:
> http://boltondave.fotopic.net/p20297215.html

quote:

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> What's the thing that looks like a giant zipper between the railroad
> tracks?