My First Photos Here

[KeithAlanK]

Hello everyone.
My name is Keith and I'm an alco...I mean I'm from San Antonio, Texas.

After Andy was kind enough to spend an hour with us at the SonyCams chatroom, I decided to join up here and see what this place is all about.
So far I'm plenty impressed by both the quality of work and the human element.

Here's a couple of shots from a recent trip to the San Antonio Zoo.
I think I have a handle on a bunch of styles, but cropping critters is a weak area for me.
Your comments or tips are highly anticipated.
KeithAlanK

http://img65.exs.cx/img65/1136/kakzoo012ou.jpg

http://img65.exs.cx/img65/1057/kakzoo026ps.jpg

Sony DSC-F717*PhotoShop5.0*ACDSee*NeatImage
(Waiting for the sun to come out so I can make a decent avatar)

[gus]

G'day Keith...welcome to d/grin. I dont know what it is but those sonys seem to punch out the best non-Dslr stuff ive seen.

Crisp shots :thumb

[Nir]

Hello everyone.

After Andy was kind enough to spend an hour with us at the SonyCams chatroom, I decided to join up here and see what this place is all about.

So Andy got you too ha?! :uhoh
Don't you know not to listen to strangers ...

Welcome aboard Keith! and nice shots!

[GREAPER]

Welcome Keith.

Nice sharp shots. I don't know if I see anything wrong with the crop on these shots, but I will say they look like "zoo" shots. There is just enough of the man made element of the displays to keep the animals from looking like they are in their natural environment.

I always try with this sort of situation to crop the shot to eliiminate as much of this type of background and foreground as possible. It is also possible to use DOF to limit the impact of these backgrounds. This shot was taken in the local zoo. The buildings etc in the background are so blurred they are difficult to identify.

http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/photos/10149701-M.jpg

Sometimes you can wait for the right moment when there is the least possible unatural element, even though I cut this poor fellows feet off.:wxwax

http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/photos/10149702-M.jpg



In any case, nice shots and welcome.

[Angelo]

Welcome aboard Keith: Tell me, did he coax you in with ribs or lattes?
(nice shots)

[Cosmic]

Welcome aboard! :)

Nice, clear shots. Too bad the Bighorn was sitting on fake turf though, but the quality is verah nice! :thumb

~Heidi~

[Khaos]

Welcome.

Nice shots.

[KeithAlanK]

Thanks for the kind welcome.

Angelo & Nir: He had me at hello. Seriously, it was Andy's work and his love of 'light' that got me here.

Humungus: Agreed, my Sony was the only camera I could hope to afford that can hold it's own w/DSLRs. Once I tried it, I couldn't "just walk away".

Cosmic and GREAPER: You have nailed it, I need to go back and implement your suggestions. It's a terrific zoo, but I still need to remove the human touch and get more realistic views.

I sure appreciate this, folks. You'll be seeing more of me around here.
Keith