Your R System Images - April 2023

[PKM-UK]

We hope you have fun making wonderful images this month!

Stay safe and well…

Phil and Karen

——

Any R System images can be posted. If you would like to say something about your images in terms of the subject, settings, or any post-processing, that will be very welcome.

Remember, you don't have to only post things you took this month - sometimes people don't get around to processing/ editing images straight after shooting them. (Think of it more as an ‘images I’d like to post here this month’ thing).

Images posted here will also be available to view in a dedicated Monthly R System Images Galley, which can be found by clicking Here.

Commenting on other people’s posts is encouraged, as it keeps everyone interested and coming back. (Please aim to be considerate, thoughtful and constructive).

We’ll aim to provide some feedback too - but please note we are away for part of each month and busy with ‘life stuff’. The lack of a comment from us is not a sign of disfavour!

Finally, please post in accordance with the RF Shooters Community Guidelines.

Thank you!

 

[PKM-UK]

Images from Somewhere (Else)...

A few images from a recent-ish visit to Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle, Leicestershire, England.

You can read about its dramatic history by clicking Here.

All were shot raw, processed - and occasionally fiddled about with (sometimes seriously).

(Software: DxO PhotoLab Elite and ViewPoint, Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop).

Phil and Karen


Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle began as a 12th century Manor House, reaching 'Castle' status by the 15th century.

The impressive Hastings Tower was built by Lord Hastings (King Edward IV's Chamberlain). It suffered massive damage during the Civil War (basically it was blown up!).

Musket holes can still be seen in the walls of the castle.

The 'un-blown up' face of Hastings Tower. You can still climb up the stairway to catch views across the surrounding town.

The Chapel, which was also added by Lord Hastings.

There is an underground passage linking the kitchens to the tower - thought to have been built during the Civil War.

 

[BirdBrainPhil]

A couple from a visit to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Beware the immigration staff at the airport they require there palms to be crossed with money!

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi Phil,

Nice shots!

We remember our visit there back in 2017 - they were having 'a bit of a heatwave' and touring this place was one of the most challenging times of our lives. (It was also truly wonderful).

Fortunately, we were shooting with an EOS 6D, Fuji FinePix S1 and our iPhones, so we can't post any shots of the state we got into on here as it's limited to R System images...

(Of note, our EF 24-105L lens went on the fritz as we began the day and our EF 40mm pancake stepped in to become forever our hero lens... ).

P&K

 

[BirdBrainPhil]

Hi Phil,

Nice shots!

We remember our visit there back in 2017 - they were having 'a bit of a heatwave' and touring this place was one of the most challenging times of our lives. (It was also truly wonderful).

Fortunately, we were shooting with an EOS 6D, Fuji FinePix S1 and our iPhones, so we can't post any shots of the state we got into on here as it's limited to R System images...

(Of note, our EF 24-105L lens went on the fritz as we began the day and our EF 40mm pancake stepped in to become forever our hero lens... ).

P&K

Thanks.

It was pretty hot on our visit, I was wilting! Probably why I took more shots with my iPhone 14 Pro than I did with the R6!

I remember the EF 40mm pancake, excellent lens! I remember one comment about its sharpness along the lines, 'why go for the 500 f4 when you can crop the 40 mm?'

 

[BirdBrainPhil]

A wander around Minsmere and we found a number of Adders sunbathing, probably as it had been a cold night. Although they weren't posing that well, but nice to get a black one, before it slithered into the undergrowth.

In the past I would normally process in Canon's DPP first, I tried Adobe Camera Raw again and was pleasantly surprised that the images were matching what I was seeing in DPP. So processed these in ACR.

 

[MikeZ]

An unbelievable set of shots, beautiful from Angkor Wat and dangerous with the adder.

 

[BirdBrainPhil]

An unbelievable set of shots, beautiful from Angkor Wat and dangerous with the adder.

Thank you so much

 

[PKM-UK]

A recent image taken in our local woods - Hartshill Country Park, Warwickshire England.

This wild male (buck) Muntjac deer, kindly stood pretending to be a bush long enough for me to wrestle my camera out of its bag (I was near the end of my walk and I'd just put it away ), fiddle about with the settings and grab a shot.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PhotoLab Elite, Lightroom Classic and Photoshop).

Phil

 

[Kamoshika]

Took this shot yesterday of a Japanese Bush Warbler (Uguisu), which has one of the most iconic bird calls in Japan. Most of the year, if you're in any forest or thicket, you'll hear them all around. The problem is spotting these small, well-camouflaged birds, even when you hear them 2-3 meters in front of your face...can be a bit on the maddening side. Here, I waded into the undergrowth, determined to be patient and wait for any movement (made difficult with all the flies buzzing in my face). Finally spotted one and popped off a few shots (thank you spot AF). With the rf100-500 w/1.4ext., I got a pretty noisy image in the bad light under the canopy, and I should have lowered the shutter speed (these birds flit about constantly, so I had it initially high). Tamed it as best I could with Topaz Sharpen.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi David,

Nice capture! Your efforts (both out in the field and in processing) were richly rewarded. Thank you for including some information about this charming creature and your shooting/ processing techniques - much appreciated!

We have our R5 and R7 set up to use the shutter button for tracking/ animal eye-AF, but with 'Plan B' being spot AF - with MF available - via the AF-ON button. This has frequently saved the day in some of the more challenging conditions.

Topaz Labs Sharpen AI is also a life-saving gem!

P&K

 

[Kamoshika]

(We have our R5 and R7 set up to use the shutter button for tracking/ animal eye-AF, but with 'Plan B' being spot AF - with MF available - via the AF-ON button - this has frequently saved the day in some of the more challenging conditions).

Indeed. I have the AE lock button for tracking/ animal eye-AF.

 

[StevenAunan]

Snowstorm, Sierra Nevada, Highway 108. The road was closed a few miles up the mountain.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi Steven,

As we sit here in our camper van (‘Frank’) waiting to get out there and do some cycling on our gravel bikes around the lanes of central England, the forecast is somewhat dubious and a total drenching may await us.

However, your excellent (and well controlled) capture has made us realise things could be a whole lot worse…

P&K

 

[Dean Wilson]

The weather conditions in the Columbia River Gorge can be anything from bland to torturous. This March day the weather was mediocre. That being said a fun time was had by all.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi Dean,

Crikey, if that’s ‘mediocre’, what’s it like there when it’s fantastic?

(We’re from England where the weather specialises in nouveau-drab… ).

Great capture - love the B&W too!

P&K

 

[Dean Wilson]

Hello England. Yes, I understand the weather across the pond can be a bit tedious...according to Thomas Heaton, Nigel Danson, Gary Gough, and others.
The direction is looking East, so from this advantage point the setting sun at Golden Hour can produce wonderful lights. I have never been there at Golden Hour.

In February I was there when the temperature was 1° c with sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of 130 kph. Needless to say the tripod was close to the ground and protected by a 1/2 meter high retaining wall and the advantage of a 2 second timer.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi Dean,

OK, well that does sound a little mediocre…

But even more kudos to you for this well composed and wonderfully atmospheric shot.

(And it makes us feel somewhat better about today’s dull-fest).

P&K

 

[Kamoshika]

View attachment 14169
The weather conditions in the Columbia River Gorge can be anything from bland to torturous. This March day the weather was mediocre. That being said a fun time was had by all.

Nice! More memories. That Angel's Rest hike beyond Crown Point was one of my favorite hikes in the gorge.

 

[Hali]

I went on a photowalk in Boston, which I almost never do, but I was there, and the weather wasn't too windy or cold. Got a few interesting images. The city has changed so much in the 35 years since I went to school there.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi Hali,

A terrific set of images - you have a great eye for composition, abstract shapes and colour - which makes it very difficult to choose a favourite, though Karen favours number 2 and (of course) I agree with her…

P&K

 

[dmanthree]

Taken in the Corkscrew sanctuary in Naples, FL.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi David,

A great capture of a wonderful creature in what looks like pretty demanding lighting conditions.

Thank you for sharing!

P&K

 

[dmanthree]

Hi David,

A great capture of a wonderful creature in what looks like pretty demanding lighting conditions.

Thank you for sharing!

P&K

Thanks. Birding is pretty new to me, so I'm firing at will and hoping...

;-)

 

[klaspavel]

Spring is coming, but the mountains don't know it.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi klaspavel,

Welcome to the RF Shooters and the thread!

That, is some mean and moody looking weather sweeping in. Our favourite is image 2 - a real sense of drama!

Hopefully spring is fast approaching (we’re having very similar thoughts here in England… ).

P&K

 

[Hali]

Hi Hali,

A terrific set of images - you have a great eye for composition, abstract shapes and colour - which makes it very difficult to choose a favourite, though Karen favours number 2 and (of course) I agree with her…

P&K

Thank you so very much! #2 is my favorite as well. It's gotten me a number of features on Vero as well which always makes me happy, even if I don't make them for social media.

 

[Hali]

Spring is coming, but the mountains don't know it.View attachment 14209View attachment 14210

Such moody images, I love the graininess and that feeling of impending doom in #2. I hope spring eventually gets to you!

 

[YangMills]

PKM suggested I post some more puffin images here. These were taken last July on Skomer. I'm hoping to visit again in early May when the bluebells are out.

 

[PKM-UK]

PKM suggested I post some more puffin images here. These were taken last July on Skomer. I'm hoping to visit again in early May when the bluebells are out.

Hi Yang,

Definitely one of our better suggestions (!) - and thank you so much for following up on it with 3 stunning captures of these absolutely wonderful creatures.

As with many birds, the colour differences between the various areas of plumage make capturing such shots a real juggling act - and you've done incredibly well here.

Very difficult to choose a favourite, but we can't get past number 3, featuring a pair of utterly delightful cuties.

Great stuff!

P&K