http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php APF is a community of Amateur and Professional Photographers, specializing in Aquatic Photography. Our expert members answer questions and help others. en Fri, 16 May 2008 14:23:32 GMT vBulletin 10 http://www.aquatic-photography.com/forum/ms_icons_grey/misc/rss.jpg http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=6 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:36:12 GMT Most people were really interested in the newest equipment, like this green monster.

It's a 200-500mm f/2.8 zoom, 15.7 kg (36lb) and £17000. Here's an alternative view.

The busiest stands were the dealers, where virtually any photographic kit was available, at special show prices.
I reckon that my petrol, parking and admission cost about £40. But I saved much more than that because my new D300 was £50 below 'street price' and came with a free 4GB card. It's also really nice to see and handle the whole range of products available, before you make your choice. I was able to handle all the Lowepro backpacks and all the Gitzo monopods on their company stands, before I queued up to buy the ones I wanted (at special show prices) from Jacobs.


Alan ]]> alanhill http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=6 http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=5 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:33:54 GMT There were also colleges and some societies exhibiting their students' and members' photos. This is the stand of the Disabled Photographers Society.

Many stands gave talks about their products - particularly about software. I went to one on the Nikon stand about Capture NX. This lady had her audience's best attention as she demonstrated a different program.

This guy was also using his hands to emphasise a point.



Alan ]]> alanhill http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=5 http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=4 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:31:20 GMT This is Europe's largest annual photographic trade show, held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from Sunday 24th February (when I went) until today. There were over 200 stands from companies large and small. These are just some snapshots to give an idea, the lighting was impossible, so I apologise for dodgy contrast and crazy colours.
The Canon stand was near the entrance. They gave people the chance to try their long lenses.

The Nikon stand was equally busy. There were Coolpixes, and DSLRs up to the D200 to play with, but you had to ask the staff in the booths if you wanted to fondle a D300 or a D3.

Many stands were aimed at professionals with eye-watering displays of studio gear, flash kit and enormous printers. This salesman seemed to think he was dealing in panoramic carpets.

I think this was the smallest stand, selling lens cloths.


Alan ]]> alanhill http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=4 http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=3 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:20:56 GMT Hello:
I am new in the aquatic world of fresh water fish and I am having soo much fun! I currently have three convic two female's and one male already one of my convic gave birth to about 30 fry and they are sooo cute. If you have any suggestions that you could give me I am all ears thank you.:welcome: ]]> Solyanela http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=3 http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=2 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 22:23:38 GMT I visited Donna Nook yesterday. It's a rather strange, but wonderful place. It's owned by the Ministry of Defence, used as a bombing range by the RAF, protected by the Lincolnshire Naturalists Trust and has the status of a National Nature Reserve. It is famous for its rookery of Atlantic grey seals, which has grown rapidly in the past few years. The seals have their pups and mate at Donna Nook between October and December. Last year over 1000 pups were born and the wardens expect a bigger total this year.
The UK has a lrge population of grey seals, but most breed on remote islands. This is the only large accessible colony on the mainland.
Before my visit I didn't understand why half the websites about Donna Nook say you should visit at the weekend, and the other half say you should not. Actually it's simple, there are two ways to see (and photograph) the seals.
There is a double fence along the edge of the sand dunes for about 400 m from the car park.

This allows people to get close to the colony without disturbing the seals at all. They live on the saltmarsh, beach and dunes: they are undisturbed by the planes and the bombs and they take no notice of the warning signs and targets.

Some of the websites are sniffy about the photographic opportunities in the fenced-off area, but I thought it was good - the dunes and saltmarsh make nice backgrounds. Next time I go, I'll use a beanbag to help support my telephoto lens on the fence.
These photos were taken early in the morning (I left home before 5 am to arrive before 8 am because someone from another forum had warned me to be early). But it's a very popular spot at weekends and the fence line got quite crowded by noon. The volunteer wardens do a good job and there is a 'Seal Shop' selling cuddly toys in a little hut - the only commercial activity apart from a refreshment stalls in the car parks.
However the other way to view the seals is to walk out to the water's edge - but you can only do this at the weekend when the bombers aren't flying. There are lots of notices warning about unexploded bombs (some were exposed by a recent storm) but the wardens said the main pathway is safe. The other potential danger is from the tide, which I knew was high around 11 am. So I waited until it had turned before I headed east, looking back to see the growing crowd behind the fence.

The first few hundred metres are over very muddy saltmarsh, but then there's a kilometre or so over nice clean sand. At the water's edge there are more adult seals with a few pups, quite a few immature seals and a good assortment of photographers and cameras.

The nice thing about these seals is that you can work your way around them and, with care, get very close to them indeed (it's best to stay still and let them come close to you). You have to remember that although the seals appear very placid, they can do serious damage if they bite. One or two people weren't as cautious as I was, but no problems ocurred.
I had a splendid day, as the photos show. The only thing they can't convey is the 'seal music'. There is a gentle background of moaning and singing sounds with the more urgent calls of hungry pups and cows warning other seals to keep away from their pups. Magic!
By the way the strange name comes about because there is an inlet between the sand banks, a nook, where a Spanish ship foundered - I'm not sure whether its name was Donna or whether it's a general name; Spaniards were often called Dons in England so a Spanish ship would be a Donna.

Alan ]]> alanhill http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=2 http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=1 Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:10:40 GMT I was at Chester Zoo on Saturday. It was a beautiful sunny autumn day, but quite cold. Half the elephant herd were in their pool. Funnily enough they don't use it much in warm weather. Jangolie is the largest cow in the herd. She was quite relaxed.

Sithami, the youngest cow, and their 3 year old calves were also staying cool.

It's always the little boys who get overexcited. This is 10 moth old Raman, enjoying himself.

Things got a bit out of hand then. I'm afraid most of my photos were spoilt by spray, trunks waving into and out of the frame and elephants surfacing and submerging where I least expected them! I want to do better next time.

Alan ]]> alanhill http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/blog.php?b=1