Frost flowers

[Blue_In_AK]

[Immad2]

1. WOW, That is beautiful!

[CC]

2. Beautiful, though you can

keep the cold and snow. People here can't drive if they think it will snow. First real snow of the season hit here last night. Not much but enough to cause the french toast run on the stores. (Milk, bread and eggs are gone from the store shelves.)

So have you tried shooting in RAW yet? I know you haven't had the time you want to go out and shoot yet. But you have been playing with the camera some so we all need a running commentary on Blue and her new camera. It makes it feel like Christmas came early here through you. Specially since I remember how much fun (and confusion) came with the Nikon when I first got it. Hell I am still learning it.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Not yet on the RAW, CC...

I'm still trying to figure out how all the buttons and dials go together. I've been busy taking pictures of lamps, houseplants, TV remotes ... you name it, whatever happens to be laying around. It's STILL snowing here, so God knows when I'll get a chance to go out and take some "real" pictures although I did get a few on Sunday when there was just a little break. Unfortunately, where I chose to go was in a valley and the sun was already behind the mountains -- stupid me, I know it doesn't get more than 20 degrees or so above the horizon this time of year, but, anyway, I know it can't snow forever so sooner or later I'll get out and see what this baby can REALLY do. I was pretty pleased with these frost shots, though.

About you and your snow -- I had to laugh when we were watching the national news last night and they were going on and on about the snowstorm on the east coast. You guys really do fall all apart, don't you? :rofl:

[CC]

4. I would say the term fall a part is an

understatement. :rofl: though loved when a news-person called it the French Toast Run. A foot of snow would close everything for at least a week if not two. I know because it has.

One the camera, I remember taking pics of anything and everything just to see how it worked. Good thing about digital, you can delete and play, delete and play some more. So try shooting the lamps etc in RAW. Those valley pics should be good even with out the sun. The snow will eventually let you out though it will seem like it is taking longer because you have the new camera you want to use.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. Here are a couple more, just for you, CC

Looking left and right from the observation deck at the Eagle River nature center. This is a really great place to hike in the summer, with a whole network of trails, but this time of year if you're not on skis, it's pretty arduous slogging through the snow -- especially at 0 degrees, as it was this day. This is as far as I got.

[CC]

7. They are beautiful

One day I will have to come visit, but in summer. I am a woose when it comes to the cold. AK has an awesome sky, never seen clouds in stripes like that. That snow would also shut the east coast down for weeks.Your pics do show why a person would live somewhere that is so cold for so long. Can see trading warmth for beauty. Going to have to show both these and ITF's (must think before typing since I seem to always type INF :shrug:) pics to those at work tomorrow.

[mogster]

13. OMG!

That second one had some beautiful colors!

[RagingInMiami]

6. I was reading an article in a photography magazine today in a book store

The magazine said they were planning on naming the Canon 20D the 2005 Camera of the Year (they rate and review all brands).

But then Canon came out with the 5D last month (at $3,200) so that became the 2005 Camera of the Year. So the 20D was upstaged by its own cousin. The 5D was modeled after the 20D.

The main difference is that the 5D does not have the 1.6 crop factor, which is why I plan on buying it one day.

Great photos by the way. One lens I will recommend is the Canon Macro 100mm f/2.8. That would have really brought out the details in those snow flakes.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. Thank you, sir

I always appreciate your recommendations. Something else to add to the wish list.

[RagingInMiami]

9. Canon is offering a $20 rebate right now for that lens

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=194451&is=USA&addedTroughType=search

Here are some photos I took with that the lens.

[Blue_In_AK]

10. You're killing me....

Those are really gorgeous, but I'm afraid I can't spring for the lens right now with Christmas and all. Maybe by February?

[RagingInMiami]

11. And just to tempt you even more

I've noticed they have a "no payments for 90 days" deal going on as well.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. ...

:spank:

[intheflow]

14. These are great, Blue!

So I take it you got a new camera?

[Blue_In_AK]

15. Oh, you missed it?

Yes, my dear husband bought me a Canon D20 with a Sigma 10-20 mm lens and Canon 17-85 and 70-300 IS lenses, plus a bunch of other good stuff. He really rocks. :) The bummer part is that since it arrived here a week ago Tuesday, we've only had about two hours of sunshine, but it can't stay cloudy forever, can it -- CAN IT???

[intheflow]

16. Cool! A new toy!

But so sad to have to give up the Sony. You took such great shots with it, and I was actually thinking about getting one just for the convenience of having the shots on disk. Are you seeing a big difference in what you can do?

And no, it can't stay cloudy forever. It can just feel that way. :)

[Blue_In_AK]

17. Well, the Sony isn't going anywhere...

...so it's still here if I start feeling insecure. :) As far as whether I can do a lot of different stuff, I'm not sure yet because I haven't had much chance to get out. I'm really looking forward to taking the long shots with the telephoto. I can't wait for those swans to come back next spring and maybe I can get some photos of them that don't look like just fuzzy white things out in the middle of the water. LOL. I have been real pleased so far with the shots I've taken, even in the clouds. Did you see this one I took of Anchorage? I'm kind of pleased with it, even under these difficult lighting conditions. I'm not sure how the Mavica would have done.

[intheflow]

18. Wow, that's a nice shot!

What a lovely snowscape! Great lighting, "difficult" or not.

I've always had Canon film cameras, and my digital is a Canon, too. I'm not so hot on my digital, but then, it's just a stinkin' point and shoot. (Camera snob that I am.) If I got a nice Canon digital, I understd that the lenses I have could be used on a digital Canon body. That might be nice--and probably cost effective in the long run. Doesn't matter, it'll have to wait until I win the lottery, anyway.

[RagingInMiami]

19. That's a postcard

Anchorage, USA