Pictures Taken By you...

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Originally Posted by Kafka's Crow

You use this one then?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Powershot-SX...5720927&sr=1-3

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Yes, there we have it.

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Originally Posted by Kafka's Crow

Who needs a DSLR when Canon are coming out with compacts like this?

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That was more or less what I thought too when I bought it, and I have not been disappointed. I also agree about the zoom: It is very good even if it cannot really match a SLR zoom, which works better in poor light. I am also very fond of the macro abilities. In my opinion, they are second to none in that price range. As for the IS, I seldom use it, not because I don't like it but because it just is not needed most of the time: I just hold my breath instead :D

/Claes

wowowowow, those are SPLENDID photos, Claes!! Amazing!

Kafka, that is one imposing-looking university. Where is it? What's it called? Can I go? :p

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Originally Posted by andave_ya

wowowowow, those are SPLENDID photos, Claes!! Amazing!

Kafka, that is one imposing-looking university. Where is it? What's it called? Can I go? :p

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http://www.rhul.ac.uk/

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Originally Posted by Kafka's Crow

http://www.rhul.ac.uk/

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Thanks. It is a dream of mine to visit London for a very, very long time, and I keep teasing my parents that someday I'm going to go to Oxford...

Here are a few pictures from a recent jump:

Here is what happens if you stick your head out of an aircraft, mid-flight:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...-3998J-025.jpg

This is a stick of static-line jumpers going out the back of a C-130. Static-line jumping is the traditional way for paratroopers to enter the battlefield. It is nothing like sky-diving. One end of the static line (the yellow line you see) is attached to an anchor line inside the aircraft, the other end is attached to the parachute. The line automatically deploys the parachute, so there isn't much of a free-fall (3-4 seconds at most). We also jump at much lower altitudes than skydivers, anywhere from 500-1500 feet. This jump was from approximately 1250 feet.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...-3998J-039.jpg

The most noticable difference between static-line jumping and sky-diving is the parachute used. As you can see, we use round parachutes, instead of the rectangular "wing" that is used in skydiving. The round canopy can support more weight (we generally jump with 100 or more pounds of additional equipment), but is much less maneuverable.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...-5558S-072.jpg

The last two pictures are of HALO (high-altitude low-opening) jumpers. HALO is pretty much the military equivalent to sky-diving. The guy in the last picture had a malfunction. His primary canopy failed to completely deploy, so he had to pop his reserve. He was fine, but he did end up in the trees.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...-3998J-044.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...-5558S-110.jpg

You would so not see me doing that!

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http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...-5558S-072.jpg

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I just read about an interesting link between literature and paratroopers. You may have noticed the soldier in this picture is wearing a maroon beret. The maroon beret, international symbol of paratroopers, was first introduced by Lt.General Sir Frederick Browning, commander of the British 1st Airborne Division during WWII. The maroon color of the beret was apparently chosen by his wife, novelist/playwright Dame Daphne du Maurier.

Nice pictures DJY.. that is pretty sweet.. having to deploy your reserve chute must be pretty exciting.. I've been skydiving a few times now, but I would like to get into basejumping someday... climb the cliff and then basejump off.. that would be so sweet haha.. you ever been?

I've never been base-jumping, but I would like to try it someday. As for pulling your reserve being exciting, I guess you can say it is, but probably not in a good way. Luckily, I've never had to go to my reserve (knock on wood). Because we jump at such low altitudes in static-line jumps, you only have a few seconds to pull your reserve if you have a malfunction. The normal procedure is to begin counting, "one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, four thousand," as soon as you exit the aircraft. If your main parachute doesn't deploy before you hit "four thousand" you have to pull your reserve. By that time, you've already fallen a few hundred feet. The reserve takes 100 feet to fully deploy, so If you don't pull it within a matter of seconds, you're going to have a bad day...

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Originally Posted by djy78usa

I've never been base-jumping, but I would like to try it someday. As for pulling your reserve being exciting, I guess you can say it is, but probably not in a good way. Luckily, I've never had to go to my reserve (knock on wood). Because we jump at such low altitudes in static-line jumps, you only have a few seconds to pull your reserve if you have a malfunction. The normal procedure is to begin counting, "one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, four thousand," as soon as you exit the aircraft. If your main parachute doesn't deploy before you hit "four thousand" you have to pull your reserve. By that time, you've already fallen a few hundred feet. The reserve takes 100 feet to fully deploy, so If you don't pull it within a matter of seconds, you're going to have a bad day...

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Yeah, that would not be fun... I want to try base jumping but I think if I survive the first few jumps it would be time to quit.. I have to try it snowboarding off the edge of a cliff a few times though.. but seeing as there is something like a 100% chance of being completely maimed or killed once you hit over 200 basejumps, I don't think it is a good idea to keep doing it.. lol..

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Originally Posted by djy78usa

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...-3998J-039.jpg

The last two pictures are of HALO (high-altitude low-opening) jumpers. HALO is pretty much the military equivalent to sky-diving. The guy in the last picture had a malfunction. His primary canopy failed to completely deploy, so he had to pop his reserve. He was fine, but he did end up in the trees.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...-3998J-044.jpg

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Boy that takes guts. I don't think I could do it. I would be the unlucky bastard who would get the one in a million parachute that doesn't open. ;) You guys are really courageous. But what the heck for? [Well, I understand DJ it's part of your job.] Great pictures!!

Some pics I took on a trip to the local zoo.

Bear

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01777.jpg

White Tiger

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01801.jpg

Royal Bengal Tiger

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01811.jpg

Lions resting

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01787.jpg

A bird

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01830.jpg

Star turtles

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01835.jpg

Barn Owl

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01838.jpg

Elephant

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01855.jpg

Porcupine

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01884.jpg

Love birds

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01896.jpg


http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01904.jpg

The language on the top is the local language of this state, and below it is the translation in English.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01903.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01907.jpg

Its a bit blurred

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01906.jpg

Crocodiles

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01914.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01916.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01915.jpg

Wild Bison

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/DSC01756.jpg

nice pictures Madhuri

Nice to see you back in this thread Maddie :thumbs_up Nice pictures too.

/Claes

love the turtle!!!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...kjdfpaweos.jpg

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Originally Posted by pussnboots

nice pictures Madhuri

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Thanks :D

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Originally Posted by ClaesGefvenberg

Nice to see you back in this thread Maddie :thumbs_up Nice pictures too.

/Claes

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I havent been able to see as many places as I want to; there arent many places to visit in this city.

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Originally Posted by Niamh

love the turtle!!!

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Yeah, these were really cute, and very tiny, this turtle is hardly 4-5 inches long; its a baby turtle :D

Probably you've seen something more interesting than this one. But this is the first time I came accross it, the organic religion.

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Originally Posted by subterranean

Probably you've seen something more interesting than this one. But this is the first time I came accross it, the organic religion.

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Only in New York Subby. I always said that nature has replaced real religion for some.

Nice pictures Maddie. What was separating you from the lions and tigers?

Those pictures were wonderful, djy78usa. You'd not see me jumping out of an aircraft any time soon -- yes you are all brave to do that. :nod:

I enjoyed the animal pictures, Maddie, especially the barn owl one (what a look he is giving, and stamping his little feet, too, ha ha!). The white tiger is a very cool animal, I'd love to see one of those. :)

weltanschauung, this is a well centered picture indeed, and I love the colours. I feel silly because I don't know if that is a bull, a water buffalo, or what, but it looks gentle enough, despite the horns. :)

At last a dry Monday morning. Very cold and misty though, still I managed to drive out to Windsor and Runnymede:

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008002.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008001.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008003.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008004.jpg

Sweet Thames run softly...
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008005.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008006.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008011.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008007.jpg

... the nymphs have departed!
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008013.jpg

River Thames in Windsor:

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008015.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008016.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008018.jpg

Sir Christopher Wren's House (Windsor):
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008020.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008021.jpg

First glimpse of Windsor Castle:
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008017.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008022.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008025.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008026.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008027.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008030.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008032.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...7112008033.jpg

Kafka, your photos make me really regretful that I never went to Windsor while in the UK. =[ It looks quite lovely there.

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Originally Posted by Kafka's Crow

At last a dry Monday morning. Very cold and misty though, still I managed to drive out to Windsor and Runnymede

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Which goes to prove that poor weather is a poor reason for not taking pictures. It does not have to be all sunshine. As a matter of fact, pictures taken in rainy conditions often turn out amazingly well. :thumbs_up

/Claes

Lovely pictures, Kafka's Crow! :)

i like your pictures .... nice views :)

Very nice Kafka. Makes me feel like it's next door. :)

its pictures like that, that remind me of why i love the English countryside so much....the river scenes remind me a bit of being along the severn river in Worcester.

Oh, I love Windsor Castle; those are marvelous photos Kafka's Crow.

Now I am going to cheat a bit; the following photos were not taken by me, but by son, Sean. He took these a number of years back, when he was on a business trip to Washington, DC. I always admired these photos and thought they were some of his very best. He has a collection of really good cameras. I thought these would interest all of you, in the wake of our national elections and all the talk of patriotism and Washington, our national capital and treasure. I am very proud of my son's efforts and his great results.

The Jefferson Memoral on the Potomic River...let me be your tour guide...

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00146.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00164.jpg

A grand statue of the great man himself....
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00162.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00165.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00173.jpg

I love the shadows on these columns. That is the Washington Monument, in the background. I love the contrast in shape/design of the two buildings and the texural effect of the marble - so sparkling white in the sunlight.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00170.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00171.jpg

He got lucky; it was cherry blossom time in the grand city....along the Potomic.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00150.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00151.jpg

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Originally Posted by Janine

The Jefferson Memoral on the Potomic River...let me be your tour guide...


I love the shadows on these columns. That is the Washington Monument, in the background. I love the contrast in shape/design of the two buildings and the texural effect of the marble - so sparkling white in the sunlight.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC00170.jpg

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All very nice Janine, and yes it's luckky to be in D.C. when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. He probably had a very hard time getting a hotel room. I particularly liked this photo. I've got tons of photos of D.C. but that's an angle I've never noticed before. Very good. Next time I'm down there I will have to find that angle and snap that for myself. :D

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Originally Posted by Virgil

All very nice Janine, and yes it's luckky to be in D.C. when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. He probably had a very hard time getting a hotel room. I particularly liked this photo. I've got tons of photos of D.C. but that's an angle I've never noticed before. Very good. Next time I'm down there I will have to find that angle and snap that for myself. :D

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Thanks, Virgil. That one is my all-time favorite, too. It just worked out so well, the way the other monument is in the background and the steps are sort of shadowly. I once had that one on my computer desktop. He took some nice San Francisco photos of buildings, etc, too. I will have to dig those up and post some of those. One I think you will really like. I would post my artsy photos but they were taken with a regular camera and printed so they have to be scanned. I did a black and white series of buildings in Philadelphia when I was in art school over there. I like how they came out because the camera I used had a big negative and took great detailed shots. I need to download the scanner support for my printer/scanner 3-in-one.

OK, this thread has been idle for long enough: Christmas pictures, anyone?

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1819.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1792.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1804.jpg

/Claes

Very cool Claes. What a great idea. I take it that's your daughter and wife in the middle picture. And you have a very nice living room, by the way. :)

Wow that is such a cool idea! Awesome pictures Claes :)

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Originally Posted by Virgil

Very cool Claes. What a great idea. I take it that's your daughter and wife in the middle picture.

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Partly correct: It is my daughter to the left, but the one to the right is her cousin. The picture was taken at their place, btw.

/Claes

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Originally Posted by ClaesGefvenberg

Partly correct: It is my daughter to the left, but the one to the right is her cousin. The picture was taken at their place, btw.

/Claes

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Hey, Santa Claes, Glad you posted these - so interesting in the big read ball...love to see reflections. You did a good job; very artistic. I see your relatives have the same type floor my son has, with a few area rugs. Funny, with the distortion in the one photo, you look a little like my son. I am still waiting for them to send me the Christmas photos. They took a lot; they will come presently I am sure. I didn't end up taking any this year, because I was holding my grand-daughter so much or playing with her on the floor; I simply forget, tell you the truth...I knew they had plenty anyway. Wow, nice to see your daughter in the photo also. Hi, pretty Saphira! ...and your cousin, too! Everyone is dressed so nicely, too. I like to see that for holidays - like you in the dress shirt and tie. Over here, some people dress like bums. Personally, I think people should dress up a little for holidays. Why not?

Kafka - What lovely pictures, I feel as if I have been now.

Janine - Your son has definitely an eye for photography, some of his angles, etc., were very picturesque. I am hoping that he uses this skill on photographing his new daugher, too! ;)

Claes - As always, you have entertained us with more of your skill as a photographer. I love the ideas that you have! Great photos! :)

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Originally Posted by ClaesGefvenberg

Partly correct: It is my daughter to the left, but the one to the right is her cousin. The picture was taken at their place, btw.

/Claes

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Oh thanks.

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Originally Posted by Janine

Hey, Santa Claes, ...

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:lol: I like that pun!! Santa Claes. :D Very good Janine.

We spent part of new years eve at Sundbyholm, at Lake Mälaren outside Eskilstuna. During the summer this is a very popular beach, but it can be quite busy at winter as well. Pastimes differ a bit, though:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1832.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1837.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1841.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1844.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1847.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1852.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1859.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1862.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1863.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...G/IMG_1866.jpg

/Claes

Photos of this lake, etc are awesome, Claes....brrrr....looks cold there.

Now are they a sort of ski skate - photo of three people on the ice?
Never have seen them before this.

My favorites are the amazing ice formations and the branches covered with them. Beautiful photography, as usual.

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Originally Posted by Janine

brrrr....looks cold there.

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It was. There is something the pictures cannot convey: wind. It was quite windy, and up north they actually had a storm tonight.

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Originally Posted by Janine

Now are they a sort of ski skate - photo of three people on the ice?

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Those are long distance skates, intended for cross country... err... ice skating.

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Originally Posted by Janine

My favorites are the amazing ice formations and the branches covered with them.

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That was a stroke of luck: we don't have much snow, but we got that instead.

/Claes