NikonGear'23

Images => Themes, Portfolio Series, PaW, or PaM => Your Weekly Blog => Topic started by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 01, 2017, 10:43:57

Title: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 01, 2017, 10:43:57
Post your "blog" contributions here.

No theme (other than what the passage of time creates), no contest implied, a maximum of one picture per day in the actual month and no more than 4 images per month for NG members, up to 30 for Supporters. You can distribute the contributions as once per week if you so prefer.

The posted picture(s) must be taken within the designated time period.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 01, 2017, 15:22:54
January first 2017

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/352/31216477323_ab0cc66fe6_o.jpg)

the day after neighbours party

D800 70-200/2.8
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 01, 2017, 19:09:06
All the best for 2017, Fons.

What a violent neighbours  ;) 
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 01, 2017, 19:48:00
Happy New Year, Fons!  Is it for BBQ or fireworks?   ;D  Either case, this is a fun image!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 01, 2017, 21:58:51
Just to ensure the process gets moving...

First sun rays of the new year, 2017.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Jakov Minić on January 01, 2017, 22:53:32
I will chip in too :)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Jyda on January 01, 2017, 23:03:31
Fresh ice on the new years' first day.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: ColinM on January 02, 2017, 09:15:32
Lower quality because of having been taken on a phone and through perspex, but these were a first for me

The low sun and dense cloud make for an alternative view of the London skyline
(http://www.pbase.com/celidh/image/164775750/original.jpg)

A slightly more traditional view

(http://www.pbase.com/celidh/image/164775751/original.jpg)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 02, 2017, 09:56:12
Colin, the first image fantastically proves that "the best camera is what you have with you".  :)  Well captured!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: ColinM on January 02, 2017, 10:01:04
Thanks Akira
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 02, 2017, 10:39:59
4 pics per month is different from one pic per week. I can post my 4 favourites at the end of the period or I can post a series of four right in the middle.

Happy 2017. First snow. Going out to shoot.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 02, 2017, 10:41:05
January second 2017

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/628/31671877070_06a3e8de6d_o.jpg)

infrared with D5300 af-s17-35mm f/2.8
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 02, 2017, 10:47:50
4 pics per month is different from one pic per week. I can post my 4 favourites at the end of the period or I can post a series of four right in the middle.

Happy 2017. First snow. Going out to shoot.

As an NG Supporter, you are entitled to max. 30 images per month. The max. of 4 is for ordinary members.

We have given contributors the freedom of choosing the interval between their posted pictures. This is to de-emphasize the pressure to post *something* just to fill a quota. The schedule of once a week is doable for most NG members I'd guess, but is not required.

If there is a story behind the picture, by all means contribute that as well.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 02, 2017, 11:12:25
January 2nd

The first sun rays this year on our tiny spot of the planet.  This is in the Triangle park in the middle of the town, Wilhelminapark, designed by Leonard Springer in 1890.   The frost has just gone, and the first drops of water appear....

Df   Nikkor P-Auto 105/2.5
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 02, 2017, 11:27:41
Colin, the first image fantastically proves that "the best camera is what you have with you".  :)  Well captured!
Great shot, indeed. !!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 02, 2017, 16:09:13
January 1/30

.Sage.

02 01 02017

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 02, 2017, 16:12:24
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/628/31671877070_06a3e8de6d_o.jpg)

I am deeply impressed, Fons! A picture taken with soul, going right into mine.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 02, 2017, 16:13:27
#13: John, I can breathe this shot.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 02, 2017, 16:15:26
Fresh ice on the new years' first day.

Very interssting color spots, I guess these are stones under the ice?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 02, 2017, 19:32:57
Thank you, Frank and earlier, John and Akira.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 02, 2017, 20:06:57
#13: John, I can breathe this shot.
Thanks Frank.  First sun of 2017  ;)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 03, 2017, 12:34:36
January third

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/443/32035372256_9ffeddc530_o.jpg)

This mornings' sun-up over the Bosche broek

D3 -- 58mm f/1.4g
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 03, 2017, 12:38:12
That is more like a painting than a photo, Fons

Today sunny. I take the D600 with the 105E for a walk!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 03, 2017, 14:36:02
January 2/30

.street front garden.

03 01 02017
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Jacques on January 03, 2017, 17:18:07
3rd January, in the world of commerce Christmas is now over for the next 9 and a half months !
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/757/31238229094_d14dde1607_b.jpg)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 03, 2017, 21:08:42
January third
Great sunrise Fons.  At first I thought it was the 17-35...
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 03, 2017, 22:16:49
Very typical new-years -action, Jacques.  Nicely captured.

Morning dawn, before the forecasted rain will come...
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 04, 2017, 01:34:54
That is an unusual rendering, John.

Some bubbles in the middle, some cat eyes nearer to the frame border thatblook more loke 105E cat eyes. Some unsharp needles embedded into sharp ones, near monochrome.

A rainy feel... confusing.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 04, 2017, 08:58:04
Thanks Frank. Yes it is an unusual rendering perhaps.

Shot with the Df with the 105mm /2.5 from 1969. Actually I was only interested in the AI-ring, and got it cheap as it has some minor micro scratches.   

But I like the sharpness wide open, and the rendering so it will stay on the Df for a while  ;)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 04, 2017, 11:07:32
Thanks Frank. Yes it is an unusual rendering perhaps.
Shot with the Df with the 105mm /2.5 from 1969. Actually I was only interested in the AI-ring, and got it cheap as it has some minor micro scratches.   
But I like the sharpness wide open, and the rendering so it will stay on the Df for a while  ;)

I thought long and hard about having unsharp elements in front of any shot and I feel it does not work most of the time. Yet, depending on the subject, it is sometimes difficult in the final result to determine which elements are in front which are in the back. I generally love no blur up front and if there is blur up front I love it as smooth as it can get, like in Ron Scubadiver's super shot of the pink bride on the zebra crossing in Vietnam...
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 04, 2017, 11:19:02
January 3/30

.Altstadtmetzgerei Haupt.

04 01 02017

This might be not the best Butcher in the world product wise, but they took great effort to make the outer appearance look really friendly and to train their personnel to be friendly and helpful to the customers and succeeded in both! On the business side a mediocre butcher with well trained personnel earns more than a top notch producer with unfriendly personnel. 80% of the purchases are customer relation dependent. I know that because I worked for a few dozen butchers as a photographer.

Photographically, the interior is blown in orange, so if that was a customer file I would do two RAW developments, one WB for the exterior, one WB for the interior, then mask the interior out. I also would see to having the car removed before shooting.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 04, 2017, 13:50:41
I thought long and hard about having unsharp elements in front of any shot and I feel it does not work most of the time.
In general it is distracting, plus most lenses make an ugly forefront.

Quote
Yet, depending on the subject, it is sometimes difficult in the final result to determine which elements are in front which are in the back.
It all depends on the wanted outcome and usually with some trial and error.

A colourful Butcher, Frank. Rather typical for Germany.

I would sell it, Fons  ;)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 04, 2017, 13:53:43
It always makes me angry when old trees must be chopped with no apparent reason.    Today more than 40 Lindes  (ninety year old)  were killed.

'Silent Witness'

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 04, 2017, 14:37:38
It always makes me angry when old trees must be chopped with no apparent reason.    Today more than 40 Lindes  (ninety year old)  were killed.
'Silent Witness'

Can you find out why the trees were killed?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 04, 2017, 15:02:09
It always makes me angry when old trees must be chopped with no apparent reason.    Today more than 40 Lindes  (ninety year old)  were killed.

'Silent Witness'

I hate that too; there will be some type of rational behind the actions, but still nowadays it seem so easy to cut trees, so different from yesteryears.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 04, 2017, 15:53:45
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/641/31725309060_867684b997_o.jpg)

d500 pc-nikkor 35mm f/2.8
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 04, 2017, 22:50:31
I hate that too; there will be some type of rational behind the actions, but still nowadays it seem so easy to cut trees, so different from yesteryears.
Probably it's cost-management.... Not seeing trees as living nature, but as a cost.

Can you find out why the trees were killed?
I am investigating this case.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: MFloyd on January 05, 2017, 10:12:14
Sad for the threes. But the term "killing" should rather be reserved for much more dramatic events.  Probably another   consequence of living 70 years in peace, where most of us have never been confronted with real violence..
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 05, 2017, 12:13:09
January 4/30

.pigeon.

05 01 02017
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 05, 2017, 14:25:09
5 januari

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/612/32081281786_154dce3477_o.jpg)

sterrenwacht Halley
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 05, 2017, 17:21:01
#39 you are onto something, Fons. Two is a series. What about 20 of these? Very cool!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 05, 2017, 19:52:00
Maybe my copy of the 17-35mm f/2.8, but i think it hotspots on 720nm.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 05, 2017, 19:53:32
Most of the faster zoom lenses (including the 17-35) do.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: pluton on January 05, 2017, 19:56:21
I like Fons' #16 a lot.  #39 may now indicate a 'Green Period'?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 05, 2017, 21:28:10
Thank you Keith.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 05, 2017, 21:39:32
#39 you are onto something, Fons. Two is a series. What about 20 of these? Very cool!

Frank i have some ir pics on my https://www.flickr.com/photos/fonsbaerken/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fonsbaerken/)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 05, 2017, 22:20:23
In general it is distracting, plus most lenses make an ugly forefront.
It all depends on the wanted outcome and usually with some trial and error.
Having this knowledge still unsharp forefront happen to me as well. Some captures just feel right this way through the viewfinder. Not necessarily for the later spectator though.


#35, #38, #39 are nice. Each in it's different way.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 05, 2017, 23:00:52
One of the oldest Squares (or Triangles) is Korvel, where buildings from the Roman period and gravehills around 1.700 BC were found.

It was late in the afternoon and the sun is bound to set in the West

Nikon 800E -  20/4
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 05, 2017, 23:33:12
One of the oldest Squares (or Triangles) is Korvel, where buildings from the Roman period and gravehills around 1.700 BC were found.

It was late in the afternoon and the sun is bound to set in the West

Nikon 800E -  20/4
John, that's a Lovely afternoon take of a nice sunny winter day. I like the perspective of a 20mm.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 06, 2017, 00:13:02
Thanks Thomas.   Yes, I like the 20mm as well.  Last year I had at a time all 20mm Nikkor versions, and sold them. I got a 'new' 20/4 and a 20 UD and I will settle with these ;)

The 20/4 is compact and great for landscape and the wider street shots, where the UD is better with architecture and has an unusual smooth rendering for a 20mm.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 06, 2017, 09:02:22
January 5/30

.glitter gods on orthodox chistmas.

06 01 02017
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 06, 2017, 10:26:06
January 6.  5-stitch pano.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 06, 2017, 11:31:51
6 januari

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/260/32099382586_33e441b80a_o.jpg)

local scenery

IRD5300 17-35/2.8
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 06, 2017, 15:43:21
Ice-day (below zero)

Frozen Chrysler.  (RE-EDITED)

D800E  20/4
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on January 06, 2017, 18:09:28
On a very cold January 6.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Ron Scubadiver on January 06, 2017, 18:43:01
In normally mild to hot Houston it is 2C and raining lightly.  Below 0C with the chill factor.  I don't feel like going outside.  There was no electricity in my house from 6PM on New Year's Eve until power was restored just before dark on Tuesday after paying an electrician $1,200 to replace part of the service the utility said was my responsibility.   Delay was due to the holiday weekend, the utility requiring a building permit be filed and city offices being closed.  Luckily the weather was mild during the outage.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 06, 2017, 19:45:15
Ice-day (below zero)

Frozen Chrysler.  (EDITED)
I think I saw it with grille and liked that version better?!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 06, 2017, 20:45:19
January 6.  5-stitch pano.

That is really beautiful and the sky is very much like our sky today. clear blue.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 06, 2017, 20:46:16
6 januari
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/260/32099382586_33e441b80a_o.jpg)
local scenery
IRD5300 17-35/2.8

You managed to let this appear scarier than it must have seemed to the bare eye!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 06, 2017, 22:42:53
That is really beautiful and the sky is very much like our sky today. clear blue.

Thanks, Frank!  It was indeed a clear and pleasant day here in Tokyo.  And the place was open with no interruptions of the electric wires.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 06, 2017, 23:26:08
I think I saw it with grille and liked that version better?!
Doubting, as I used different lenses for different effects.         I did a Re-Edit, this is the version now with the 20/4  ;)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 06, 2017, 23:49:08
On a very cold January 6.
This is nice. Looks cold. But there is fine food for the bird.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 07, 2017, 14:21:10
January 6.  5-stitch pano.
Nice combination with the clouds.


On a very cold January 6.
Cool shot. I assume they are quick flyers?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 07, 2017, 14:22:48
Snow followed by Ice-rain   Slippery so keep two feet on the road...
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on January 07, 2017, 16:46:42
Cool shot. I assume they are quick flyers?
This is nice. Looks cold. But there is fine food for the bird.
They move quickly if you make any noise, but on an apple they stay for some time, if not disturbed.
What you can't see is that there is a bird feeder hanging in the tree. We feed during the wintertime, not so much for being able to photograph the birds, but for having them in the spring and summer ;)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 07, 2017, 18:03:29
Snow followed by Ice-rain   Slippery so keep two feet on the road...

We just had a serving of light drizzle on deep frozen pavement. Blitzeis .... Flash-Ice we call that ... the place turns into a skating ground in seconds. In some spots wise people had applied sand and salt. In most places nothing. I went shopping with bicycle and trailer and was floored totally once and nearly several times. Kind of dangeous.

In the picture I love the flow from sharp to unsharp parts, creates a great 3D sense of the scene...
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 07, 2017, 18:04:32
January 6/30

.windows protection collage.

07 01 02017
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 08, 2017, 11:16:29
We just had a serving of light drizzle on deep frozen pavement. Blitzeis .... Flash-Ice we call that ... the place turns into a skating ground in seconds. In some spots wise people had applied sand and salt. In most places nothing. I went shopping with bicycle and trailer and was floored totally once and nearly several times. Kind of dangeous.

In the picture I love the flow from sharp to unsharp parts, creates a great 3D sense of the scene...
Thanks Frank.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 08, 2017, 15:06:09
January 7/30

.Groß andel 32.

08 01 02017
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 08, 2017, 19:33:58
Snow followed by Ice-rain   Slippery so keep two feet on the road...
We shared these road conditions here as well. No fun - no photos.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 08, 2017, 20:19:19
Yes Thomas, it was slippery but with a backpack and two camera's as counter weight, good doable ;)

New years receptions..

800E - 200/3.5
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Harald on January 09, 2017, 09:31:05
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/431/32028187721_0c48540eb0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QNdQn8)

Captured with the 180mm f2.8 ED Ai-S. If i would have known that it is really this good i would have bought it earlier.... ;)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 09, 2017, 10:01:26
Interesting light on the car parking building, Harald!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 09, 2017, 10:50:30
January 8/30

.Bahn Unterführung.

09 01 02017
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 09, 2017, 22:22:32
Interesting light, and for sure a great lens, Harald.

That's a beauty Frank, nice reflections and bokeh of the car.

Earlier this month, when we had sun....    Construction work started in 2017

D800E   200/3.5
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 10, 2017, 03:16:40
Thank you, John. And sun I could use some. How great the brightness of southern Calofornia was. Wow.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 10, 2017, 13:43:29
January 9/30

.Collage of trees & roots & cars.

10 01 02017
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 10, 2017, 15:42:41
The downward orientation of the car is somewhat distracting, Frank.


Already three days cloudy and rainy.

Around 1900 Tilburg grew from a few thousand to more than 40.000 inhabitants mainly due to the textile-industry. The farm/house below is typical for that period when many houses were built.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 11, 2017, 13:30:48
January 10/30

.Collage of trees & roots & cars.

11 01 02017

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 11, 2017, 15:51:20
Do keep to the new posting rules, Frank.

Next time you bend the rules, pictures will be directly deleted by admin. Now you can delete the ones you want yourself (today only).

On a general note, although NG Supporters *may* post up to 30 images per month, it is generally not recommended to do so.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 12, 2017, 12:00:21
January 11/30

.grafittio.

12 01 02017
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: golunvolo on January 12, 2017, 13:03:51
Good morning winter light in my roof. Welcome to Seville!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 12, 2017, 20:47:55
It's a slow season in the City Garden. Some activities in the green houses, and of course the pigs, chickens and the Highlander cows.

Yesterday there was a visit from the national Broadcast company who works on a documentary about social projects with volunteers.  Second to the right, the former Brabant Parliamentarian Veerle Slegers. The Greenhouse was chosen as the setting for some interviews.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 12, 2017, 21:41:01
January 11/30

.grafittio.

12 01 02017
Great! Like that the chutes's curved handrail is reapeated in the rounded windows in the back.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 12, 2017, 21:42:45
Good morning winter light in my roof. Welcome to Seville!
Wonderful sky shot. That blue. These antennas. (I think they might get useless when all FM radio and terestical TV will go digital, so it's a documentary as well)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 12, 2017, 21:45:25
It's a slow season in the City Garden. Some activities in the green houses, and of course the pigs, chickens and the Highlander cows.

Yesterday there was a visit from the national Broadcast company who works on a documentary about social projects with volunteers.  Second to the right, the former Brabant Parliamentarian Veerle Slegers. The Greenhouse was chosen as the setting for some interviews.
They must have liked the weather protection. The insight looks sub-optimal in a scenery sense.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 12, 2017, 23:48:29
Thanks Thomas.  Weather conditions were changing rapidly, from sunshine to storm. The interview had to be stopped a few times because of the heavy wind.

That's a beautiful Mediterranean blue, Paco !
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 13, 2017, 09:54:14
January 12/30

.little wing.

13 01 02017

I dreamt that the 1.8/75 Zuiko will help me shoot little birds in brushes. Today it did, so I deviate for a moment from my "showing our quarter in Bronx-style" as my wife calls it. The AF system is not good with this camera. Most of the shots were slightly oof, although I had the focus field on the head of the bird. I love these little creatures!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 13, 2017, 09:56:05
Great! Like that the chutes's curved handrail is reapeated in the rounded windows in the back.

You should see this in the original AdobeRGB / Velvia style ooc JPEG. Color is yaw dropping like the 64ASA Agfa from out youth!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 13, 2017, 09:58:48
Good morning winter light in my roof. Welcome to Seville!

What temperature is this?

I wish it was 18° to 22° Celcius and the Oranges in the garden were rady to eat. I have been to the Alicante Area one January in the 1980ies ... great time ... not many tourists, all calm and not too hot, still the wonderful food and smells and landscape!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: golunvolo on January 13, 2017, 12:14:34
Thank you all, I'm happy you like it
Frank,  it is now between 7 and 14 C° . Cold for us but still very enjoyable to eat in the sun :)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Harald on January 13, 2017, 20:15:03
Just a shot with the newly arrived 105 2.5 P-Auto. :)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/603/32139228942_a38e593ea5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QY2X3W)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Jacques on January 14, 2017, 20:25:07
Diptych
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/441/32268729646_a7a55637d5_h.jpg)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 14, 2017, 21:13:38
Another super lens, Harald !

Great details, Jacques.

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 14, 2017, 23:38:18
January 13/30

.Americans in Bonn.

14 01 02017

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sep_Ruf

Sep Ruf created a settlement for the High Commissioner of Germany in Bonn. The HiCoG-settlement is still there while the Americans are long gone. I remember friendship from my youth visiting Americans in this settlement before they returned to America. Pars pro toto, two buildings taken with the D600 & 105E from "the high rise" the first building with more thast 5 storeys in Bonn:

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 15, 2017, 09:52:09
An interesting story, Frank.

We had a lot of snow, and melting again. 

There are still some signs of Christmas decoration
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 15, 2017, 11:39:39
It was cold today (yeah, for Tokyo, I mean) but pleasant.  D750 with AF-S 50/1.8G (the lens turned out to be noticeably sharper without the protection filter), some cropping.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 15, 2017, 14:35:59
John: These PO Boxes look red on my monitor. Last time I took shots of these they seemed top be "oranje". Otherwise I like the idea of fish eye in this case.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 15, 2017, 14:37:44
Akira: This cloud seems to stem from another world, a peaceful 3-dimensional-world full of light like in the cartoon film "UP" a few years back. The cvitxy in contrast appears like a city of shadows in contrast.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 15, 2017, 14:46:47
January 14/30

.water.

15 01 02017

Interesting for members of a very authoritarian institution, some of our priests use the old anti-authoritarian baptising words: "I anoint you to be priest, king and prophet. Do not bow before any worldly power but only in front of your Lord, Jesus Christ" So Jesus, who was a PITA of the Jewish Establishment in his time, lets the foundations of Kingdoms, Empires and Institutions like the Roman Catholic Church shiver and crumble, because everybody is, in that perspective, entiteled to direkt access to a higher force, the highest.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 15, 2017, 15:11:10
Thanks, Frank.  Yes, the cloud was so inspiring.  Your capture of the baptismal scene conveys your familiarity with your religion.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: BW on January 15, 2017, 16:56:39
It was cold today (yeah, for Tokyo, I mean) but pleasant.  D750 with AF-S 50/1.8G (the lens turned out to be noticeably sharper without the protection filter), some cropping.
I am sorry you have such an overcast day ;) We haven't had that few clouds since october and I am getting rather tired of the ever changing weather ::)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bill Mellen on January 15, 2017, 20:27:35
A rare snowstorm in Virginia Beach was a delight for many...

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Snowstorm-January-2017/i-XWZWGjt/0/X3/D5C_1674-X3.jpg) (https://billm7.smugmug.com/Snowstorm-January-2017/i-XWZWGjt/A)


Admin: max. 1 mage per day. No exceptions.

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 15, 2017, 21:27:06
Your capture of the baptismal scene conveys your familiarity with your religion.

Thank you. Also important is that all the people there know me, trust me and I have all area access all the time. They feel they like to support my effort to create pictures for them.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 15, 2017, 22:42:43
A glorious sunny day for my first foray out this year, on the 2nd.
Frost and just a sprinkle of snow, almost a late autumnal feel.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 15, 2017, 22:52:01
Simone, please follow instructions : max. 1 image per day.

Better you select which one to keep than admins deleting at random.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 15, 2017, 22:54:25
Simone, please follow instructions : max. 1 image per day.

Better you select which one to keep than admins deleting at random.

My apologies, I was under the impression that NG supporters were allowed more than one per day.
Please confirm one way or the other?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 15, 2017, 22:57:10
No, you NG Supporters are allowed up to 30 per month, max. 1 per day. Non-supporters have only a quota of 4.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 15, 2017, 23:01:37
No, you NG Supporters are allowed up to 30 per month, max. 1 per day. Non-supporters have only a quota of 4.

OK, I misread.
I'll amend my post.
Although looking back I am not the only one who misunderstood the rules. Anyway, not a big deal.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 15, 2017, 23:07:07
Bill Mellem: you also need to cut down on the multiple images in your post. Same reason as for Simone.

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 16, 2017, 05:49:09
A rare snowstorm in Virginia Beach was a delight for many...
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Snowstorm-January-2017/i-XWZWGjt/0/X3/D5C_1674-X3.jpg) (https://billm7.smugmug.com/Snowstorm-January-2017/i-XWZWGjt/A)

I love it that we see them all from behind, it creates a feeling of being part of the group, walking with them
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 16, 2017, 05:50:04
A glorious sunny day for my first foray out this year, on the 2nd.
Frost and just a sprinkle of snow, almost a late autumnal feel.

Are you in England or Italy currently? From the tree form it could be both, the mountain form speaks more for England
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bill Mellen on January 16, 2017, 14:16:22
I love it that we see them all from behind, it creates a feeling of being part of the group, walking with them

Thank you Frank
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 16, 2017, 14:19:24
Are you in England or Italy currently? From the tree form it could be both, the mountain form speaks more for England

The photo is from the Lake District in northern England.
I'll be paying a short visit to Italy soon but I don't expect to be doing much photography.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 16, 2017, 16:40:42
Hall A, B and C...
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 16, 2017, 18:28:45
Are you in England or Italy currently? From the tree form it could be both, the mountain form speaks more for England

Another one from same region, same day.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 17, 2017, 11:44:15
January 15/30

.city hall winter sun.

17 01 02017

Bonn city hall is an IMO ugly building from the 1970ies. It had some decorative elements that have been torn down due to instability. The operating costs are over the top by any standards and some people think the savings of a new building alone would justify to tear the old building down and put a new construction in place. But I believe this is pure fiction. As far as I know public building projects in Germany and especially in Bonn tend to cost next to nothing when the parliament originally starts them and in the end exceed the original costs by a factor between 3 and 20. Last big one in my home town was the United Nations Convention Center. In the beginning the cost was estimated as ZERO, currently we have a bill of more than 300 Million Euros to fit.

(German Wikipedia Entry: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Conference_Center_Bonn )

So this morning before 9 am the sun spread his still warm orange rising winter light over the building which made for a nice study in geometric possibilities.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 17, 2017, 12:52:45
January 17.  Blue hour.  Shot with iPhone SE, some edit in CC2017 but not trimmed.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Harald on January 17, 2017, 18:37:47
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/269/32249712691_de49ee85b4_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/R8Nd2a)

Nikon 105 2.5. P-Auto.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 17, 2017, 18:51:03
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/269/32249712691_de49ee85b4_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/R8Nd2a)

Nikon 105 2.5. P-Auto.

Very nice, I like it :)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 17, 2017, 18:53:26
I wonder what the Lake District could look like if thousands of sheep were not allowed everywhere eating everything.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 17, 2017, 18:57:44
Akira: wonderful scene!

Harald: superb composition!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on January 17, 2017, 20:14:18
Had a small outing today the cold weather, had to make a pano.
It was nearly "killing" my iMac in the making, the end result was an 814MB file!
Maybe the D800 files was a bit over the the top for a 360 degrees  pano from the "mountain" just outside Copenhagen.
The hill is completely artificial, and made from excavations done in the greater Copenhagen area.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 17, 2017, 21:15:23
Freezing cold today, but we had sun.  (after days of boring clouds)

Cityhall Tilburg, still the decision has to be made for renovation. If City Council wait too long, the building will be nominated as Dutch Architecture which is only possible when the building is older than 50 years. The Cityhall was built in 1967-1968.

The black marble stone is polished and reflects the light.

Fuji S5   Angenieux 35-70
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 17, 2017, 21:21:18
Ah, you have a cityhall too,  Frank. Nice ;)

Special Light, Akira. Too bad you didn't have the D750 with you ;)

Great shot, Harald.

Beautiful Simone, looks very cold.

Impressive Pano, Bent.  It's strange, whenever I am in the mood for pano's I am carrying the D800E,  which is stupid actually.  The Df would have been better, file-size-wise.  ;)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on January 17, 2017, 21:32:14
Impressive Pano, Bent.  It's strange, whenever I am in the mood for pano's I am carrying the D800E,  which is stupid actually.  The Df would have been better, file-size-wise.  ;)
Just realised this, maybe my old trusty D700 should have been is use ;)
I am new to the D800, and try to what it can. I am otherwise satisfied with the results from the camera.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 17, 2017, 22:32:30
Akira: wonderful scene!

Thanks, Frank!  The atmosphere was great.

Special Light, Akira. Too bad you didn't have the D750 with you ;)

Thanks, John!  Yeah, I regret I was a bit too lazy.  It was shot over the fence with the camera held high above my head.  So, the lightweight and the large screen of SE helped a lot.  :)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 18, 2017, 09:17:19
January 16/30

.cold light of morning.

18 01 02017

Two annotations:

The lemon shaped circles of confucion the 105E Nikkor produces can be clearly seen here

I had to think of a song by Placebo, thus the title: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jti8v47e7m4

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 19, 2017, 11:15:04
January 17/30

.freezing plant.

19 01 02017

My wife was even talking about "rare double digit negative temperatures", but this is not the case for Bonn, which is always a bit warmer than the neighbouring settlements due to weather protection by the Rhine Valley terraform and moderation by the River and 320.000 people living in this protected and moderated bowl. Yet, -8°C and -9°C we see here as soon as the nights get clear and open as they curently are. This bush clearly shows how it feels about the frost.

Technical D500 & 1.8/50G @f/5.6 sharpening might be a bit overdone in RAW conversion. What do you think?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 19, 2017, 11:17:10
Had a small outing today the cold weather, had to make a pano.
It was nearly "killing" my iMac in the making, the end result was an 814MB file!
Maybe the D800 files was a bit over the the top for a 360 degrees  pano from the "mountain" just outside Copenhagen.
The hill is completely artificial, and made from excavations done in the greater Copenhagen area.

There is not plant cover to be seen, yet the landscape seems quite interesting. What kind of use did the people have in mind who changed the shape of this area?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 19, 2017, 11:18:39
Cityhall Tilburg, still the decision has to be made for renovation. If City Council wait too long, the building will be nominated as Dutch Architecture which is only possible when the building is older than 50 years. The Cityhall was built in 1967-1968. The black marble stone is polished and reflects the light.

Does not look sooo bad in your picture. Which argumrents speak against keeping the hall? Which speak for renovating, wehich for tearing it down?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 19, 2017, 13:47:48
A rear view of the Lens House, a test shot with the Sunex 5.6 mm f/5.6 Fisheye lens (on a V1). For testing purposes the lens has been put on a focusing adapter for the CX format cameras. The lens projects a circular image on a DX format camera. It is a fix-focus lens by design, but there are ways to circumvent this if the application requires a different focus (sic). As evidenced by this picture our current 'winter' is a bad joke.

Don't know much about the brand except for the lens being labelled 'made in China', but images seem to be quite sharp.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 19, 2017, 13:57:30
A rear view of the Lens House, a test shot with the Sunex 5.6 mm f/5.6 Fisheye lens (on a V1). For testing purposes the lens has been put on a focusing adapter for the CX format cameras. The lens projects a circular image on a DX format camera. It is a fix-focus lens by design, but there are ways to circumvent this if the application requires a different focus (sic). As evidenced by this picture our current 'winter' is a bad joke. Don't know much about the brand except for the lens being labelled 'made in China', but images seem to be quite sharp.

What is a "lens house"???
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 19, 2017, 14:21:18
A house in which lenses are stored :D
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 19, 2017, 16:22:50
Looks sharp, must be cheaper than the Nikkor 13/5.6    I guess   ;)

Frank: The building is outdated with regard to the climate-rules, so a renovation had to be planned. However, the first renovation plan  was to tear down the original black marble plates. A lot of protest followed as it was against the original architectural design. A new plan is now in progress.


We have a colder winter than usual

A few days ago we had snow, some snow still remains, we count the Ice-days here.

The rendering of the 105/2.5 P-Auto (1969 version) is very very nice.  Pretty sharp in the middle, ideal for portraits. Versatile usable at f/2.5. Sometimes the light forces to stop down, perhaps I should use a Grad filter to prevent that.  The lens has become one of my favourites...  Here on the Df.

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Harald on January 19, 2017, 18:13:41
Hi John,

nice photo and i know what you mean... ;)
Caturday!

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/720/31595323623_7cf1da7417_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q8YhX2)

:)

Harald
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 20, 2017, 16:45:10
January 18/30

.St. Joseph Beuel.

19 01 02017

Beuel, my city of birth, later became part of Bonn. This church is standing right next to the Hospital of the same name that witnesses my being extracted from my mothers innards 50 years ago.

technical: For those of you with fast lenses, try the pano style I created many years ago. Instead of panoeing at f/11 or f/8, do it fully open like I do it quite often. Pano of four shots 105E on the D600 1/160 s and f/1.4
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 20, 2017, 16:46:35
I love either "man creating cloud" by John and "beat watching camera man" by Harald!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 21, 2017, 10:33:41
Thanks Frank & Harald.

Frozen days here.  A kind of 'tourist' - view; from the train between Utrecht and 's Hertogenbosch, the city Culemborg with the Ferry on the river Lek.

Panasonic GF1  =   20/1.7
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 21, 2017, 15:02:16
John: Nice open scenery, a tad on the dull side but this is due to the weather I guess
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 21, 2017, 15:06:04
January 19/30

.a forest of signs.

21 01 02017

Import/Export, One-Euro-Shops, Call-Shops and some other businesses seem to have a stark affinity towards retina hurting tones. I took the chance of this very bright & very cold morning to capture a corner with a freshly opened Autosign-Shop.

Technical: D600 & 1.4/105E
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 22, 2017, 00:00:13
John: Nice open scenery, a tad on the dull side but this is due to the weather I guess
Yes, and 'touristic'  I said  ;)   But not too bad for a m4/3 sensor on a train with 130km/h  speed and very dirty windows.     
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Jakov Minić on January 22, 2017, 00:13:15
Harald, the cat is wonderful. I suppose you couldn't get any closer :)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 22, 2017, 13:20:09
January 20/30

.stark winter sun & black photographers.

22 01 02017

Cold is OK for me as long as I get some light. The days before the current period where very exhausting because it stayed dark all day. Look at that sun, look at these colors! Enjoy!

technical Fuji X100T 23mm f/5.6
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 22, 2017, 15:07:22
Frank, nice capture of the bounced light!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 22, 2017, 15:24:23
Great light and colours Frank !

Museum de Pont - the Large Exhibition Room.

Fuji S5   17-35/2.8
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 22, 2017, 15:30:13
You even managed to have a visitor attired in the matching colours ... good on you !!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 22, 2017, 17:52:41
I wonder what the Lake District could look like if thousands of sheep were not allowed everywhere eating everything.
That's somehow my kind of landscape. Like.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 22, 2017, 17:54:20
#135, #143, #145 - these 3 are really nice. Appreciate your steady posting.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 22, 2017, 19:23:13
Great light and colours Frank !

Frank, nice capture of the bounced light!

Thank you both!

Love the whithe cube with the R Y B color spots. Live jumps into the frame
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 22, 2017, 19:26:26
I wonder what the Lake District could look like if thousands of sheep were not allowed everywhere eating everything.

Managed grazing and carefully planting the hilltops could regenerate the eco system. Very true. But people do not really see that you pictures a near desert erosion pattern here: http://regenerationinternational.org/2016/03/07/meet-john-d-liu-the-indiana-jones-of-landscape-restoration/
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 22, 2017, 19:37:15
Thanks Bjørn, Frank and  Thomas.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 22, 2017, 21:34:10
22 Jan, today; a family walk in the woods in the local nature reserve near my home town of Pisa.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Jacques on January 22, 2017, 21:43:36
Misty morning
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/467/32315284352_f04057e8b9_h.jpg)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 23, 2017, 10:43:14
January 21/30

.triangle construction.

23 01 02017

This bridge is being dismanteled, rebuilt and extended offering interesting perspectives on the way. I have a thread here that shows my documentation work on the project. But: my schedule is so tight currently that I collect the files and rarely manage to process, describe and post them. So for today an overview of the current state must suffice.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 23, 2017, 10:56:42
I remember that bridge, Frank ;)

Beautiful atmospheric overview, Jacques. 
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 23, 2017, 12:36:26
Misty morning
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/467/32315284352_f04057e8b9_h.jpg)

When I see this I want to put on my wandering boots and warm rain proof clothing to walk there, breathe the fresh wet air and listen to the birds and other animals in the underwood
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 23, 2017, 15:08:28
This morning, on the beach.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 23, 2017, 15:53:04
Nice details and DOF, Simone.

It's cloudy now, but the past week has been pretty sunny, although very cold.

Some grass in the afternoon sun

Fuji S5  17-35/2.8  (a very nice combination)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: MFloyd on January 23, 2017, 16:37:06
January 21/30

.triangle construction.

23 01 02017

This bridge is being dismanteled, rebuilt and extended offering interesting perspectives on the way. I have a thread here that shows my documentation work on the project. But: my schedule is so tight currently that I collect the files and rarely manage to process, describe and post them. So for today an overview of the current state must suffice.

I have some difficulties to understand why this picture landed here on NG: may be there is some documentary interest, but from a photographic quality perspective - and I believe, that's why we are here on NG - it's a weak picture, as well as from a composition point of view (why is the biker cut in half ?), as from a technical point of view (color, sharpness etc).
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Lars Hansen on January 23, 2017, 17:41:19
Simone - I can hear the waves and smell the sea!

John - what a fantastic way to capture the sparse winter sunlight!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Lars Hansen on January 23, 2017, 18:13:43
I have some difficulties to understand why this picture landed here on NG: may be there is some documentary interest, but from a photographic quality perspective - and I believe, that's why we are here on NG - it's a weak picture, as well as from a composition point of view (why is the biker cut in half ?), as from a technical point of view (color, sharpness etc).

MFloyd ,
I feel your post also concerns me as I was previously contributing to the "366 days.." threads that ran for almost a year but decided to quit and not post on this new 2017 thread after the critique being expressed. I count myself among happy amateurs that shoot pictures for fun and for that reason I will certainly be posting some poor shots regularly - this is simply because I'm not familiar with all the rules:  good composition, what makes poor/good photography etc. and I'm not sure I want  to follow a dogmatic approach in my photography. On NG there are also threads that contain snapshots from events etc. It can become increasingly difficult to decide "to post or not to post" a picture (or comments for that matter) unless there are some kind of rules or guidance.       

I'd like to understand what you are suggesting - some kind of "quality check" or censorship? Maybe even for new members to be allowed to join?       
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 23, 2017, 18:15:12
I have some difficulties to understand why this picture landed here on NG: may be there is some documentary interest, but from a photographic quality perspective - and I believe, that's why we are here on NG - it's a weak picture, as well as from a composition point of view (why is the biker cut in half ?), as from a technical point of view (color, sharpness etc).

Once that picture is trimmed on the top, it actually is quite Ok to my eye. It has nerve and excitement.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 23, 2017, 18:21:55
...

I'd like to understand what you are suggesting - some kind of "quality check" or censorship? Maybe even for new members to be allowed to join?     

That'll be the day. Photographic images are not amenable to ranking or being judged against rules set in stone. Perhaps one is tempted to try such evaluation  if the photograph appears  very conventional or cliché, but it is surely an endeavour doomed to a rapid failure. The magic of photography defies quantification.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 23, 2017, 18:43:02
Nice details and DOF, Simone.

It's cloudy now, but the past week has been pretty sunny, although very cold.

Some grass in the afternoon sun

Fuji S5  17-35/2.8  (a very nice combination)

Very nice, it looks like Christmas lighting.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Alaun on January 23, 2017, 19:21:07
@Frank

I like the subtleness of the bridge picture :)   Very well done!!

( It is not only the bicycle driver and the street sign, which is cut in half. The bridge is actually missing a whole lane as well.)

I go with Bjørn, you might cut a bit of the sky.

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 24, 2017, 00:20:46
Thank you Lars and Simone. 
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 24, 2017, 10:37:00
#158. Wonderful into the light shot.

THX Bjørn & Werner. I already cut some of the featureless sky but I think cutting more is a good idea.

Am I allowed to replace the picture with a trimmed version?

I think the stark color of the biker's clothing attracts attention and then disapponits expectation. After that the eye comes to rest on the horizontal line, then wanders towards the main subject, the halways dismanteled bridge. Works for me.

I can only recommend to visit more galleries and museums to get accustomed to 21st century photography. Fred Herzog is my current hero and his work is much older.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 24, 2017, 10:46:20
You probably can edit the previous post, however, I strongly advise against it as the discussion following the original will  be disrupted and rather meaningless.

Instead, feel free to post a revised edit as a separate post. We will turn the blind eye in this case if you were to make two posts containing an image on the same day :D
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 24, 2017, 10:58:32
You probably can edit the previous post, however, I strongly advise against it as the discussion following the original will  be disrupted and rather meaningless. Instead, feel free to post a revised edit as a separate post. We will turn the blind eye in this case if you were to make two posts containing an image on the same day :D

Thank you. I hope this edit pleases more (as to the technical quality. It is a smartphone shot in bad light. did not have one of the big cameras on me):

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 24, 2017, 11:06:08
Yes, an improvement in the composition to my eye. Still some margin for cropping though, but a smartphone image might not have the required slack.

Among your better contributions !!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 24, 2017, 11:12:05
Yes, an improvement in the composition to my eye. Still some margin for cropping though, but a smartphone image might not have the required slack.
Among your better contributions !!

Thank you. Sometimes I do not dare to create something "daring" ... Sometimes I do not really want to take the risk ... Sometimes I feel I even delete "better" pictures after having taken them ... Sometimes I fall for technical brilliance, though the matter and construction might be banal ... Sometimes it is so difficult to judge, esp. because I lack the distance. That is one of the reasons I post, one of the resons I do my daily training: I want to become a better photographer over time and I see the steps are small. So my calculation is that small steps every day will add up to SOMETHING over time.

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 24, 2017, 11:20:55
- Cold meeting - 

A few times a year the volunteers at the 'City Garden' Piushaven gather to discuss the rules and the planting-season and progress.  The location was in an old factory; there was no heat, or very little, close to the outside temperature of -2 C.  At least the coffee was warm.   

D800E   Angenieux 35-70/2.5
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 24, 2017, 11:23:14
January 22/30

.snow on the faces.

24 01 02017

These ganite sculptures picture the heads of two Roman soldiers, Cassius and Florentius, city patrons of Bonn, said to have been murdered because they were Christians.

The artists İskender Yediler, who made these in 2002 is also known for some other sculptures of holy men in Munic, Cologne and the Black Forest region.

technical: D500 & 1.4/24G @f/1.4
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: MFloyd on January 24, 2017, 11:56:35
Herzog is an outstanding photographer.  May be we should open a dedicated thread with pictures / links of (work of) photographers we like. 
So Frank you don't mind that some comments are made on your work ? I have always a problem with this, because, here, everybody is so gentle, so polite.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 24, 2017, 12:04:25
Even when a picture is not put into a dedicated 'Critique' thread, it is open to comments.

It is entirely possible to level strong criticism of a contribution without being rude. Keep away from personal attacks and NG will be just fine with your critique. We are nice, yes, but not flattering or prone to back-patting. Other sites exist for those purposes.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 24, 2017, 12:44:03
So Frank you don't mind that some comments are made on your work ? I have always a problem with this, because, here, everybody is so gentle, so polite.

I am always happy when people comment, which means that the pictures raise an interest.

I am also happy with the kind of pictures posted to NG and especially to this chain of threads. Look at #172. This is a documentary shot of people showing interest in public issues although it is cold even inside. It is not a particular "artistic" shot, also not a shot of high tech IQ ,, but I think one strength of photography is to follow real life and not to exclude the day to day events.

IMO many picture takers tend to focus too much on the most beautiful locations and ways of showing things. I do not buy this. I see too many super optimized, technically brilliant and boring shots on the internet. Not here so much and that is a good thing.

I adore the daily work of John Geerts.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 24, 2017, 22:41:32
Last from Pisa - countryside near the tower of Caprona.
Beautiful day today, sunny and 15 degrees C.

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 24, 2017, 23:30:51
Interesting Shot Frank, the statues and the background complement each other.

Lovely light, Simone.  I like the composition with the castle and the road/river. I even can smell the Spring coming ;)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 24, 2017, 23:45:01
John, your "cold meeting" image doesn't look just like a snapshot.  There is some surreal feeling to it, which I like.

Frank, I love your "snow on the faces".  Its a pleasant mixture of the worshipfulness and the humor.

Simone, your image somewhat reminds me of my visit to Pisa in the winter more than 30 years ago.  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 25, 2017, 15:23:40
Thanks Akira. 

For some days now it  is cloudy and cold.  The cold weather is no reason to cancel the Open Air  market. There are heating lamps to make the purchasing a more pleasant occasion...

D600   300/4.5 ED-IF  AIS
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 25, 2017, 18:58:40
Thanks Akira. 
For some days now it  is cloudy and cold.  The cold weather is no reason to cancel the Open Air  market. There are heating lamps to make the purchasing a more pleasant occasion...
D600   300/4.5 ED-IF  AIS

Strange mixture of WB points. The man with the plaid hat looks best to me. I wonder how the D500 might have solved this... one of the really big differences in the new generation...
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 25, 2017, 19:13:58
January 23/30

.curly whirly.

25 01 02017

I took a lot of interesting shots today, but this one is different. Somehow it makes me woozy when I look at it and it touches me emotionally too, So I chose it. I see a tendency towards monochromatic shots.

technical: D500 & 1.4/24 @f/1.4
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 25, 2017, 22:46:29
Strange mixture of WB points. The man with the plaid hat looks best to me. I wonder how the D500 might have solved this... one of the really big differences in the new generation...
It's not something of WB points, Frank.  The man is standing in a yellowish light, and the lens and sensor captured it as it was. It is a mix of different light.   The point here is the post-processing.

It was quit dark, and for a 300mm the shutter speed goes up, took some risk with 1/200,  hence an increase in ISO to 720. Every increase from base ISO limits to a certain extent the post-processing possibilities.

For this picture, I did some framing to focus on the people behind the stall as I wanted to emphasize, the eagerness (or perhaps hurry) to pay, or to do the purchase quickly. So I wanted all neutral visible in the image, meaning the man in the yellow spotlight, decrease in lightness, and the others a slight decrease of the shadow.   

Many ways are possible to post-process it.    On Flickr I uploaded a natural version in the originale frame which reflects the cold morning atmosphere in a different way.  https://www.flickr.com/photos/fisherking/32145379850/in/dateposted-public/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fisherking/32145379850/in/dateposted-public/)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 26, 2017, 02:57:53
It was quit dark, and for a 300mm the shutter speed goes up, took some risk with 1/200,  hence an increase in ISO to 720. Every increase from base ISO limits to a certain extent the post-processing possibilities. On Flickr I uploaded a natural version in the originale frame which reflects the cold morning atmosphere in a different way.  https://www.flickr.com/photos/fisherking/32145379850/in/dateposted-public/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fisherking/32145379850/in/dateposted-public/)


I like the Flickr-version MUCH MUCH better!

I like the framing and the more intimate atmosphere. Just perfect & much better in my eyes than the version above!!!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 26, 2017, 12:33:58
January 24/30

.double spread.

26 01 02017

To me double tree trunks sometimes look like legs. I took this because two double trunks, one behind the other, seem quite unusual to me.

technical: D500 & 1.4/24 @f/1.4
annotation: I might have closed the aperture a bit more
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 26, 2017, 22:56:14
Sunny and cold. The frost is visible in our place in fountains and frozen water pools

The Spoorzone, the former Railway factories, is still a deserted place.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 27, 2017, 12:20:45
John: Perfect moment, movement, position, color scape!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 27, 2017, 12:29:14
January 25/30

.75.

27 01 02017

German architecture of the 1950ies is unloved, mostly unprotected, build with very bad material and therefore replaced without further consideration. I try to fixate some typical examples with my cameras before they disappear completely. I chose this picture for today because the window decoration seems to be a hint that someone is living here since the house was built!

technical: D500 & Neo-Noct @f/1.4
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 27, 2017, 16:47:27
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/645/32400975072_41e0fd4821_o.jpg)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 27, 2017, 17:05:34
Hi Fons:
Looks like a full value breakfast ;-)
Love to see you back here!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 27, 2017, 18:57:48
Thanks Frank. 

Love the 50's architecture.  I always assumed it was rather good in quality. (sustainability)

Nice collection Fons.  Unusual beer brands.  From far away?

We still have sun and frost, but clouds, and above-zer0-weather is approaching.

City-transportation.  (like the two before D600 - 300/4.5 ED-IF AIS -  the poor man's  PF  ;)   )
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 27, 2017, 20:33:37
Welcome back, Fons!  Too much beer for me to toast your return, though.    :D

John, nice atmosphere.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 27, 2017, 21:52:19
John. They had to re build a lot after the war and the material was often of poor quality. There were people with old money who used cheap labour to build with expensive, lasting material. But most were poor and got what they could afford. So you can hear the neighboours having sex two storeys away because walls and ceilings are only as thin as needed to survive daily life for some decades. These houses lose heat. No insulation. You heat the outside more than the inside
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 28, 2017, 09:42:29
Thank you Frank, Akira, John
They came from Lidl in a box, classical ales, pre-brexit stock i think.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 28, 2017, 09:57:40
Thanks Akira.

Thanks for the explanation, Frank. Didn't realize most of the post-war buildings were built so cheaply.

Fons:  Brexit-beer  :)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 28, 2017, 10:07:54
28th, dawn.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 28, 2017, 10:17:19
What a great overview again, Akira.    Very wide too.  How many degrees this time?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 28, 2017, 10:24:18
John, thanks!  The horizontal view angle should be at least 120 degree.  I stitched five horizontal images taken with a 50mm lens.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 28, 2017, 18:55:01
Been to the movies

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/468/32532283326_217dd10c42_o.jpg)

Nat-Lab, filmhouse cinema

saw

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Ivyw6akS-zcG6zdII5n2w (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Ivyw6akS-zcG6zdII5n2w)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 28, 2017, 20:36:35
In the past Tilburg had many churches, and was also known as The Catholic city of the Netherlands. In the seventies important churches have been broken down, some have gotten another destination. 

The 'Sacramentskerk' was built between 1931 and 1933 (more info here:  https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramentskerk_(Tilburg) (https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramentskerk_(Tilburg))   )  It used to have a copper spire. But that was removed in 1992 as a kind of precaution. There was a lot of protest, as many found the reasons for tearing down were not valid.  In 2005 the Church council decided to close the church and announced plans to build appartments. Many protests followed.   At the moment is completely unclear what will happen with the church 

Tower in decay. 
(Nikon D800E  - Nikkor ED - IF 300/4.5 AIS)   The lens is performing even better on the D800E. The D600 is not really made for manual lenses and feels more at home with AF-D AF-S and G lenses)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 28, 2017, 23:15:08
Fons, the movie seems to be really interesting...  I like this somewhat humorous image.

John, thanks for sharing interesting story.  I wonder if the Netherlands suffer from the shortage of lands, much like Japan.

Your experience with Ais 300/4.5 IF ED with both D800E and D600 sounds interesting.  I used Ai 400/5.6 IF ED on D610.  While I enjoyed the now quite affordable super-tele lens, I felt it was a bit soft.  I haven't had any chance to try either of them on D750, but even AF-S 50/1.8G appears to be sharper on D750.  I wonder if the AA filter is weakened on D750 compared to D600/610 even though the pixel count remains the same.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 29, 2017, 10:33:39
I think the issue with cameras using MF-glass is always the view finder. IMO the D600 finder is not the best for that purpose, although I took a big series with the D600 & the 1.4/35 Ai-S as you might remember. The D500, although DX has a wonderful grund glass. I wish I could exchange the ground glass in my D600 for the same F6-Type, but I did not find that option yet. Do you know someone here who replaced the D600 ground glass with something better?

Adding to that I always found the D70 / D70s better than the D200. The D200 features a much brighter view finder, but MF was next to impossible for me, whicle I took a lot of MF shots with the D70ies. I later replaced both grund glasses with split prism offerings, obe Katzeye, one enjoyourcamera.

Concerning the building: As long as you keep the roof in good order, no trouble will arise with the basic construction.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 29, 2017, 12:21:10
Frank, I would suspect the superiority of D500 viewfinder for the manual focus is thanks to its optical system rather than the screen.  D6X0 is an "entry" model for the full-frame, and the viewfinder optics could be sacrificed for lowering the cost.  The same would go with D750.  Our eyes were a lot younger when D70 series was current.    :'(
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 29, 2017, 12:41:41
I think the issue with cameras using MF-glass is always the view finder. IMO the D600 finder is not the best for that purpose, although I took a big series with the D600 & the 1.4/35 Ai-S as you might remember.
Yes compared to the Df and the D800E  (which I upgraded with the DK17m) the viewfinder is not the best one. A good viewfinder helps with the manual lenses.

 I think de D600 viewfinder is a bit better than the D700 (which did not ever cover the 100%).

But that is not the whole part of the process.  I love the D600 for it's allround-ness. The quality of the sensor is excellent. And the handling (apart from that very very irritating image zoom viewer) good with the U1 and U2 presets. Ideal for flash-settings.  But it looks that AF lenses (automated)  get more depth out of the sensor, than the manual one's. But perhaps that's just a feeling.  Perhaps it is due to the fact that you cannot store uncompressed Raw Files.  I wonder if there is a tweak to save uncompressed raw files with the D600? It should be possible.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 29, 2017, 12:44:46
John, thanks for sharing interesting story.  I wonder if the Netherlands suffer from the shortage of lands, much like Japan.
Yes.  It is a fight about the available ground. Usually the Building companies win.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 29, 2017, 15:54:46
January 26/30

.pay your duties!.

29 01 02017

The old customs station, where the rulers pressed the money from people passing Bonn with their ships has been renovated for years.
Currently we are allowed to enter the place partly. A cannon they used if people did not want to pay their duties:

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: golunvolo on January 29, 2017, 17:45:23
Akira, that is a gorgeous dawn.


 I feel like sharing some winter colors from sunny Seville
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 29, 2017, 19:26:48
Nice colors Paco. 

We had some sunshine, unexpected.  New bicycle park at the Railway-station were the new Entrance on the north side has been opened. The low late afternoon sun glows just before leaving the city.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 29, 2017, 20:01:32
John: What a bubbley bokeh
Paco: Great to see you joining!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 29, 2017, 20:02:00
I had no big plans or expectations today when I went out to take pictures, I am surprised at the end of the day there are more than one picture that I'd like to post. But only one has to be chosen, so there it goes.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 29, 2017, 20:10:01
I had no big plans or expectations today when I went out to take pictures, I am surprised at the end of the day there are more than one picture that I'd like to post. But only one has to be chosen, so there it goes.

I that wonderful structure ICE?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on January 29, 2017, 22:49:07
January 29th.
Todays work was as a photographer for the Danish championship in cross country skiing, held in Norway  8).
The assignment is for the whole week :)
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Thomas G on January 29, 2017, 23:38:40
sunday afternoon walk
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 30, 2017, 09:38:56
I that wonderful structure ICE?

Yes, ice on my car window.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 30, 2017, 10:31:03
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/367/32226861670_7128a51cbd_o.jpg)

D500 85mm f/1.4D
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 30, 2017, 16:21:04
Beautiful ice-structure, Simone.

Real snow Bent.

Great portrait Fons  (and a great lens too)


Shopping

Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 30, 2017, 17:11:25
Bent: looking forward to seeing your pictures from the event. Seems to be enough snow for skiing!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: MFloyd on January 30, 2017, 19:12:24
DJI Mavic Pro; view around Brussels.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on January 30, 2017, 19:52:14
A highly filtered, though not unpleasant, aerial view. Apparently there are lots of details present.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: simato73 on January 30, 2017, 20:20:50
DJI Mavic Pro; view around Brussels.

In due time I would be very interested in hearing what you think of the quality of the Mavic pro's camera.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: MFloyd on January 30, 2017, 21:11:36
Ok Simone. I will open an dedicated thread in the coming days 😊
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on January 30, 2017, 21:19:31
Bent: looking forward to seeing your pictures from the event. Seems to be enough snow for skiing!

For all the participants and the families not attending I upload to my website (hjarbo.dk)
Most of the picture are absolutely most valuable for the participants, but I try to do some more artistic, showing the speed ;)


Real snow Bent.

Yes but we would like to have more, this is a very unusual winter in some parts of Norway this year.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on January 30, 2017, 21:24:11
D500 85mm f/1.4D
Fons
Beautiful portrait, lovely
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on January 31, 2017, 01:22:43
Jan. 30.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: golunvolo on January 31, 2017, 09:28:52
Woman in yellow
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: MFloyd on January 31, 2017, 12:04:35
From Le Bouveret to Martigny (CH):
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 31, 2017, 14:05:42
I love the top-down-view in #218. Very cool graphics. What are the drone regulations in Belgium? In Germany the shot would be illegal in many respects.

Very interesting night scene, Akira. What time?
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: MFloyd on January 31, 2017, 15:22:14
I love the top-down-view in #218. Very cool graphics. What are the drone regulations in Belgium? In Germany the shot would be illegal in many respects....

Thank you Frank.  I think this picture, in Belgium, is illegal too; the only softener is that my son, who was flying the drone, is a licensed airline pilot (to the extent this might help...). In Switzerland it's quite cool: basically, you cannot fly over crowds and you should stay 5km away from an airport.

In this perspective, I opened a dedicated thread http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,5361.msg85171.html#msg85171
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Asle F on January 31, 2017, 16:14:33
Here is my picture of january. It has been an extraordinary warm winter, so there are almost no snow, even in the mountains..

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/614/31786576564_526c367486_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QqSvMw)
Skarvet (https://flic.kr/p/QqSvMw) by Asle Feten (https://www.flickr.com/photos/afoton/), on Flickr
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 31, 2017, 16:20:46
Asle: what a calm wide panorama
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on January 31, 2017, 16:57:08
Thank you Bent and John

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/410/32251222010_225fa404f6_o.jpg)

Time will tell
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 31, 2017, 17:13:33
DJI Mavic Pro; view around Brussels.
Interesting, pretty sharp and very nice details. !
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: John Geerts on January 31, 2017, 17:15:04
The past few days are cloudy, rainy and still pretty cold

Work must go on....
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: MFloyd on January 31, 2017, 17:44:19
Interesting, pretty sharp and very nice details. !

Thank you John !
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 01, 2017, 14:28:34
Thank you Bent and John
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/410/32251222010_225fa404f6_o.jpg)
Time will tell

Were you allowed to take this beautiful artifact home? Great picture of sophisticated versus rough!!!
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Akira on February 01, 2017, 15:24:25
Very interesting night scene, Akira. What time?

Thanks, Frank.  The image was shot at around 9:00 PM.  It was the weekday night, and the street runs in the middle of the residential area.  So, few people could be seen at that time of the day.
Title: Re: January 2017
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 01, 2017, 16:46:12
Frank i only touched it with my camera, ;)