Contrast in Cambridge

I am still testing out my new RX100 compact to see the best everyday settings as mainly I will be using it as a 'grab' camera where there is no time to think about modes etc. In each of the pairs above, the lefthand image uses the built-in HDR, which takes several images and combines them in camera. This obviously only works as a jpg. The other image is a RAW image adjusted as fully as possible in the Raw converter. The greater saturation of the HDR image works well where the light is very contrasty as in the first pair but not so well when bringing out shadow areas as in the second pair.

The two images below also use the HDR mode - both into the light and work well.

Fowlmere Birds in Winter Sun

 A few more images from Fowlmere yesterday. The Moorhens were disputing territory, as alway,s so there was quite a lot of chasing and splashing. The Kinfisher looked beautiful in the low winter light on the little tree but didn't stay to fish unlike the Heron who remained there the entire visit. We were delighted to see the Water Rail - always surprised at how small they are compared to a moorhen.

An Hour in the Life of a Heron

 This Heron caught two large Perch and one small one during the hour that we spent in the Tower Hide at Fowlmere. He waded through the water up to his belly a lot of the time and sometimes actually paddled along when the feet were off the bottom.

Frost at American War Cemetery

Thurne Mill

Taken with Sony HDR and panorama modes. Images were downloaded onto tablet (Galaxy Note 10.1) adjusted in Photoshop Touch and uploaded to Blog - not quite right adjustment levels yet but interesting exercise as would be good not to travel with laptop.

Strumpshaw on a Windy Day

 We spent a very windy day at Strumpshaw Fen so there were not a lot of birds to see. The Heron came obligingly near and the birds on the feeders in the woodland kept us happy for a while in the afternoon. It was good to photograph March Tit and Nuthatch along with more common species.

Sunset at Thurne Mill

Seals at Horsey Mere

 We made our anuual club outing to Horsey Mere to photograph the seals - 550 pups is the present count and some came very close.

First Snow of Winter

 We had the first snow of winter early this morning, Only a sprinkling here but enough in Essex to close Stansted airport for a few hours