2007 Photo Contest... What camera did you use?

I used a Canon Powershop 530? (5 megapixels), the one with the flip LCD that swivels all over the place. I loved it until I dropped it over the summer in Ca. The seam around the top and on the battery case opened about 1/4. I had to hold it really tight to keep it closed. It's what I used to take my entries, and I STILL love it. Cost me approximately $150 two years ago. Would cost $135 to send it to the Canon company to be repaired. Last week, I bought the Canon Powershot 630 (8 megapixels) for $199 at Sam's Club. Got the 3 year extended warranty for $39.99. So, I have 5 years worth of warranty now! And about a million pics to snap before next year's competition!

I use Picasa to brighten and crop and maybe sharpen (sometimes). The two tomato pics I entered were not enhanced IN ANY WAY, and I knew when I viewed them that I had captured two awesome pics, with or without votes! The handstand mosquito hawk was caught using the zoom lens (when it worked... -- it doesn't zoom anymore). I did brighten the pic with Picasa...

I'm gonna take a Leisure Learning class that let's you bring your own camera and operator's guide and teaches you how to use all those mysterious settings you can't figure out!

I can't WAIT for next year.

Oops. Forgot to post MY prizewining photo!

When I picked up the print at Sam's Club, a semi-professional photographer was next to me. I asked him for pointers and to critique the shots I had taken. He told me that this one was magazine quality "as is!" I was elated!

Great shot!

Tombaak,
I take it as high praise, especially coming from a master like you!

I have apologized and will one more time. Perhaps I am the one who got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I have no idea why I even said I posted more pics than 80 percent of you. I don't even know the people on this thread.

One more apology for bad judgment on my part, but would someone please show just a little mercy and stop beating me while I am already down and humiliated. I made a big mistake.

*******edited to say that I don't know the first thing about a camera except auto shoot. i would never enter any kind of photo contest so I am not quite sure how it appeared that it is sour grapes on my part.
I was simply surprised that only 1 of my choices was a winner. Please don't make this any bigger than it already is even though it is my fault without my even realizing what chaos I was causing (not a good excuse)

This message was edited Nov 20, 2007 3:17 PM

{{{Hugs to you, Gail!}}} Be at peace and enjoy the day anew!

"I hold no grudges, I try to be forgiving, I try to understand where others are coming from, it's not always easy but we can learn."

I have seen the more thoughtful side of you gessie, please have a good night and stop beating yourself up. We all make mistakes, bad days, we are human!

:-))

A great topic to start with... and much to be learned. I loved ssoooo many of the 2000+ photos, and like so many other people, I did have a difficult time deciding on the top three in each category. And like someone else posted somewhere, I could swear that I never saw many of the winners' photos when I "judged'. I did enter some photos, and I didn't win... but that's OK! Many photos that I did vote for WERE winners, or in the honorable mentions, and that made me feel like I have an appreciable eye, and that means more to me than winning!!! I can't wait to have one of the calendars hanging in my home!

The photos I did enter were "au naturale", and made with a Canon Powershot A630. I paid less than $300.00 for it as a birthday present to myself in April! I love the camera, but mainly still use it in auto mode. I prefer using natural light to flash, and I enjoy doing macro work the most, but I still have much to learn.

Karen

This, taken just last week, of one of my girls, Remy!

I have not scrolled through all the answers, I apologize---I'm a mother on limited time here, but I have the Kodak Easy Share myself and find it very disappointing. Granted my subject is often DD who's 1 but about 25% of my pics come out blurry no matter which setting I have used. Often I still can't tell they are blurring until the pics have been developed. Any tips or hints on that???

Hello all!
I really enjoyed the contest this year and all of your pics. I am a very visual person and the judging was like therapy after a stressful day...lol! I did vote for most of the winners and placers. I entered a few pics too and I did get one place 3rd in the pets..Max the green eyed cat. I did it to honor that cat because he had passed away a couple of months ago...I am very appreciative that so many folks voted for him.

I recently got my first digital Camera it's a Kodak Easy Share Z710. I am still learning to use it.I am not at ease with it yet, but you guys have really inspired me to take alot more pics and get more comfortable with it. The only thing I wish it had was a macro setting.

Tir I know what you mean about catching a photo of a wee one that doesn't come out blurry...I learned to use the sport setting on my camera for taking pics of the grandkids. Here is what I mean, this one is such a Ham and she doesn't sit still for the camera.

Here is the cat pic that I entered in the contest. I had to crop it more than I would have liked because the backround of the house wasn't so nice. I think this was the only pic I had of Max.

He's beautiful, Shellabella, and he got my vote. So did your beautiful Hindu Rope bloom.

Thanks ZuZu so much! I am glad you enjoyed the pics.
I am so happy to have had the opportunity to be part of the contest. Thanks Dave for providing it!
I haven't had this much fun since I was a little kid with my first camera.

The cameras these days are so wonderful. Before I got my camera I did a survey here on DG of some members about their cameras. Great pics came from all sorts of digital cameras, cheap and expensive, so I went sorta middle of the road.

These cameras really can catch what you see with the naked eye and what is really there with so much detail. With non digital I was always dissapointed with the fact that the color and depth of color was not like what I saw with my own eyes.

We have come such a long way from the really old box type camera I had as a kid!
My first picture ever was of our big yellow tom cat and when the pic got developed the cat had run away and there was only a blurry black and white picture of a bush...I was so mad...lol!

I know just how frustrating that must have been. Years ago I took a picture of my great big fluffy black cat after he had just come inside from the fog. Little droplets of moisture were glistening on his lovely coat. By some trick of the flashbulb, the fur beneath the droplets vanished, and I ended up with a photo of a big mutant bottlebrush with a fat face.

LOL!

I love that shot of Max, those green eyes are just mesmerizing!

shellabella,

I am so sad to hear Max passed away, he was such a strikingly beautiful cat! And what a great picture of him.

Melissa

Yep... I voted for Max too.

Striking eyes.

VA_Wild_Rose,
I just bought the A630 last week from Sam's Club. Like I said, I dropped the A530? (the other viewer that swivels, 5 megapixels). Don't you just lover that viewfinder? I literally crawl into the tomato plants and just stick my arm into them. The swivel lets me see from all sorts of angles! I'm no photographer, but using the plants as my subjects has taught me a lot. So much so, I'm gonna take a Leisure Learning class to learn about what settings on the A630 does. I'll be happy to share what I discover.

P.S. Tell me what the "macro" is, please. Thanks.

Wiki tells all:
Macro photography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_photography

Macro setting is for close up pics. There's usually a 'Tulip' symbol to set it. On my Sony all I had to do was tilt the direction knob to one side, I also set it to 'Spot' focus in the programmes so they could be used together for small objects.

With the Nikon the Macro is one of the Modes on the main Mode dial, and automatically focuses on the 'single area' centre Auto focus, but can't be used with 'Spot focus' in the Digi-varrio Programmes which have a certain amount of control over settings, this setting focuses on a 3mm circle in the centre. I know I read that (3mm) somewhere in the manual, I tended to use that setting instead of the Macro for insects as it ensures correct exposure even when the background is much darker or brighter, that is the exposure or light metering concentrates on the small centre area. I have used it on larger objects with interesting effects, it tends to darken the outer parts of the picture while highlighting the subject.

SO, each camera's Macro setting is different, and we buy our cameras with expectations and sometimes find we needed to do more homework on it's capabilities!

Thanks Calif_Sue! Makes me wanna go out and spend $$$ on lenses for my new A630!

Your camera has a macro setting, try that first, it may be adequate.

Tir_Na_Nog

I have a Kodak Easyshare DX7440, your standard point-and-shoot variety, and I love it for what it is. (That is, my next camera will have a greater zoom.) When I first got it, I was having problems with blurry pictures and couldn't figure out why. Then I realized there was nothing wrong with the camera, but my hand was moving slightly when I snapped the picture. I've made a conscious effort to keep my hands steady now and haven't had a problem since. If that doesn't work, try using a tripod, or brace the camera somehow to steady it. I hope this helps.

Here is one of my entries to the contest.

Sharon


This message was edited Nov 21, 2007 4:29 PM

Here is another.

I have a Nikon coolpik L2, my DH bought me for my B=day 2 years ago, for $200.00. I just love it, I take it everywhere.
This is the frist time for me in the photo contest, only join this year. I never tried to make the perfect pic. I do not no half of the functions of this camera. I take pics because what I'm looking at is the focal point, It didnt mater what the back ground was,or that I had date and time on it. I guess I'll do better next year. Didnt even know Croping.

Congrats to all the winners

These are pics taken, on a DGers feild trip.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/780556/

I think poor Gessie may have misunderstood our mention of the programmable settings that come with digital as well as "normal" cameras to be manipulation of the photos.

There WAS a misty, perhaps blurry, photo that was a top vote-getter, including mine, but it was so evocative.

Isn't it wonderful that digital cameras give us the chance to recompose the shot (and ourselves) then & there? My old-fashioned Nikon took some nice photos but it was frustrating to get back a roll of film with real possibilities on it -- if the season hadn't changed in the meantime, giving me no chance to practice.

I avoided automatics for years, being the trained photographer that I am (snort!), but now I couldn't find an f-stop to save my life.

Here's a shameless plug for my latest digital, a hp Photosmart R967 (10 megapixels). I had $300 to spend & tried every camera available at the local stores, looking for these features: intuitive placement of controls that fit my hands, and combination of biggest viewing area/megapixels. The LCD is 3"; don't remember the zoom factor (12?).

I'm really happy with it, especially because the transfer software is FAR beyond what my EasyShares did. They were limited & confusing to me, that's for sure. Plus, they seemed fragile & didn't last very long in my rough & tumble world.

Here is a, yes, blurry photo that is one of my all-time favorites. Yes, that is purple loosestrife. Yes, that is a pokeweed in the background. And if I could go back, I would remove the plastic bucket in the foreground, but it DOES add a necessary touch of French blue, wouldn't you say?!

I wouldn't call your pic blurry summerkid, more of a seasonal, misty, sun-filtered effect! It does put the viewer right in there, and evocative yes, I love the effect of sun filtering through trees. The hammock in the background, the blue (very nice colour!) bucket tells part of the story, it is a garden which is tended by it's keeper an maker, not a pristine park.

The transfer software on my camera is extremely quick and easy to use too compared to the older programme for the Sony, but that was a camera released in late 2003! I had to go through several stages with that, even had to turn the pictures one by one which were taken on the side. This camera automatically turns it in camera! All I do with the Picture Project software is have two boxes permanently ticked (I select to transfer to that), they are to delete the pics after transfer from the camera, and to transfer into a new folder. Another box is to transfer new pics only, but I don't leave any on the camera. Then it's a simple process of clicking 'Transfer', it's lightning quick even with huge files, the pictures are already deleted at completion, at the end I need do no more than remove the lead from the camera after switching the camera off.

I was at first thinking I might need a separate power source lead which would have cost a lot more, a dummy battery and lead which would fit where the battery went (more bother to take the battery out), but it uses the battery and takes very little out of it. I get a lot of shooting sessions out of the battery even before it loses one of the three colour notches on the battery indicator. I can safely download with the battery at 2/3 capacity, but if it gets to 1/3 I charge it first which is a rare occasion. Just thought this info might help anyone considering this DSLR in case they were put off by this, it did concern me at first, being used to a direct plug in to the power which charged the battery at the same time with the Sony. This is far superior!

Another point is the weight, as someone mentioned they had a bad shoulder and couldn't carry their camera on it. I also have a nerve injury on the shoulders from the accident and haven't been able to even carry a handbag on my shoulder for years. I was concerned about the weight even holding the camera, my compact was very light but I was getting nerve inflammation in my hand with holding it, between shots I tended to turn my hand upwards to support it and it was doing me no good.

This camera is around 760 grams, about 1.75 pounds in weight with the lens, but one of the lightest of it's type. The strap is very comfortable and broad, the perfect length is hanging at waist level so in between shots I can keep my elbows by my side and support the camera with both hands, so spreading the weight. It rests around the base of the neck where it neither pulls on my neck (which was also damaged), nor rests on the shoulders. Again, I was very worried about this but it couldn't be better for me.

Oh, I feel for you having to make those concessions to your health like that. Will it get any better?

I doubt this is news to you but I have a card reader plugged into the hard drive so pop my memory card out of the camera, therefore not using any battery power to transfer photos.

Oh don't worry about me summerkid, I have had this for years and although the years of pain have settled, other problems have risen because of it and I find a way to settle them eventually when I know what little things are causing them! It can be a very simple action like having my neck twisted too much to view the monitor, the inflammation had travelled through all my nervous system so now I can't do enough to make myself that ill, lol! No it won't get better, the nerves when inflammed continually get knots on them, no-one tells you what happens, I guess that would be too scary, you just find out. I try not to think too much about how the effect of damage on the nerves might affect their longevity, but I just did didn't I! There are people worse off, and this is all because of a double head on collision from a careless driver (he hit me twice). Drive very carefully all. :-)

The download doesn't use much battery anyway, the programme downloads directly to the computer, but thanks for the suggestion, it may be useful to someone else.

Sorry, I didn't mean to make a health issue of it but some people do have health issues and these small details are important.

Please don't apologize.
We are all concerned about each other.

I'm a big proponent of yoga -- even if it's your neck that hurts, it all starts at the tailbone! Come visit! I'm a certified teacher.

summerkid, I could have writen what you said about digitals, loved it. Nice photo too. After lugging around 2 heavy SLR's for years and even winning a few blue ribbons with my photos, I was very resistant to try a digital. My skills have greatly improved because I can now take as many photos as I want, upload and go take more if I see what I need to change. I am in love with digital. Loving yoga and how it has helped me with shoulder, back and neck issues. In fact I just moved some furniture around in my home so that our second guest room (which is rarely used) is my new "yoga studio" . ; ) Wallaby, sorry about the nerve problems. Yoga might help! My dh had nerve damage due to a surgical procedure. They told him that nerves heal slowly and it might take 7 years. In fact it did take that long, slowly easing as the time went by. So even though that was a long haul, take heart that maybe it could improve.

I entered a few pictures this year for the first time in 4 years :)
I used a Sony Cybershot 7.2
I thought my pictures came out pretty good for an amateur *lol*
I didn't place at all but that's OK, I wasn't disappointed as the winners all truly had some STUNNING shots and I enjoyed looking at them all.
Gives me something to strive for next year :)
I wasn't disappointed that I didn't place as this year was my first year of "playing" around with the settings rather than just accepting the first shot *lol*
What I am disappointed about is that GessieGail has been asked to leave the garden.
I have read this complete thread and I can certainly understand where people who take photography seriously would be insulted by some of the comments that were made.
I do see that she tried to apologize 3 times.
I myself have typed/said something that I wish I could take back the minute I hit send or said it so I know what that's like.
I know GessieGail very well and I believe she truly didn't mean for her comments to come out the way they sound above.
Please know that GessieGail is a WONDERFUL lady who has done SO MUCH for others that she would be embarassed if I were to share some of the things that I know of her character.
She is SUCH an asset to the AV/Gessie forum and her absence has truly affected the way I feel about visiting the garden now. This is the first time I feel like this in 4 years and I'm so sorry she may have inadvertently offended any of you as I'm sure she didn't mean to, she doesn't have a vindictive bone in her body and happens to be one of the most giving/caring people I have ever met here.

Kim

This thread may not have had anything to do with her being asked to leave, and even if it was a factor it definitely wasn't the only reason--I've never seen someone get kicked off over one thread. Only Dave and the admins know the reasons why she was asked to leave, but based on seeing this happen a few times to other people, I can tell you that they always give people multiple warnings about what they're doing that they shouldn't be, and it's only after people are warned multiple times and continue to ignore those warnings that they will take the step of asking someone to leave.

Kim, I've crossed paths with her in several forums & she consistently created controversy.

Summerkid, not to be rude but do you know what other threads she has crossed the wrong paths on? I would like to read them. I think she has a VERY hard time with getting her thoughts and fingers to speak the same language.
Gail is the kind of lady that makes lunch for the men who build habitat for humanity houses and brings them lunch once a week. Gail is the kind of lady that sends money to the jails so that the inmates have some money to use in the jail stores for necessities. She truly has a heart the size of Texas and has done a couple of other things that I know she would just be mortified if I shared. She is one of the most giving, sharing people that I have encountered here in my 4 years. Sometimes I think she just has the most difficult time typing what she really means to say. I'm SO sorry that this ever happened and I know she is too.

What summerkid said. I have found her posts, in this forum, Dave's Garden forum, to be negative and argumentative with other members. I believe this is the only forum where our paths crossed. And to reiterate what ecrane3 said, it is never an isolated incident, Dave just is not that way. Let's move on.

That is a shame. I have to say she aggravated me & came across as belligerent at worst & unable to comprehend other people's posts at best. She took offense at the weirdest things, though I'd have to spend time searching for the incidents, and this is just me speaking out of turn anyway, probably.

You know, when this happened to someone else & rumors were flying, I tentatively emailed Dave to ask whether I could get an official take on the matter. He said I was the only one who asked for his side of the story & he was willing to share it, within reason. So I would encourage you to ask him straight out.

Well said, Kim! I have only been a DG'er for a year and Gail joined shortly after I did. She is one of the most generous, kindhearted people I know. I remember once when I wrote something that someone took wrong and I felt so bad because it was not the way I meant it at all. I guess when you are sitting at a keyboard and typing, the eyes reading your post sometimes cannot "hear" the true voice ... if that makes sense. I know Gail has apologized for her controversial posts and she truly is sorry for anyone she has offended. She does have a heart the size of Texas. We will especially miss her on the AV forum, her expertise and advice were much appreciated there. I will keep in touch with her through home e-mail.

I did D-Mail Dave. It's Sunday and I'm sure he's taking a day of rest. I know he is fair and I know I don't know everything that Gail has typed but I DO know what she has done in MY life and what she has shared on the AV forum. I wish I could tell you more about her character but she's so proud that she would be so upset if I told you what an absolutely unselfish, giving person she is. I do know that in my 4 years here I have never felt this way. I literally cried today as that is how much this lady has done for me personally and I know how the other "family" members on the AV forum feel about her too. She brought so much "life" to our family that he absence is like a hole in my heart.