on high

Been having trouble with the autofocus on the 50mm lens I've newly been using.  Trying it out now on manual , which makes more sense in my head.  Haven't been in the most photographic circumstances, so I am still testing things out.
It was a gloomy evening, grey clouds heavy with rain, cold skies.  Took a few shots without checking any images to determine whether my exposure was any good... and it wasn't.  The shots were just plain underexposed.  Added enough contrast in PP that I brought up a bit of something, but I was way off.  Had the fstop at 14 for a couple, and maybe would've been fine at f8.  Could've upped the iso from 200, but I don't often mess with that.  Speed was as slow as I could get it (1/60) and still be ok handheld.

"marathon route"

color under grey skies

Just images taken from the window.  Some leaves have changed, some remain green.  I like the colors of the private houses.
Depending on the skies, I will go to the roof soon, and hopefully shoot the bridge at sunset.  So many contraptions (mobile phone crap) on the roof that it is hard to navigate.

super heroes and heroines

Tonight there was a Halloween party at my great-nephew's school, St. Patricks.  He went as Batman, and his mama went as Bat Girl.  A beautiful pairing.  The music was loud, and the kids danced, and were loud... I am definitely feeling my age!  (click on any pic to see the series larger)

Batman and BatGirl

some grown-ups got in on the action, too

a dance with mommy

little friends

Two Haiku for Autumn

Sun sets in the south
Rimmed with orange light
Seasons are changing again

                  *

The leaves hold on tight
Change comes from within
Letting go comes hard these days

reading some sky

I have not yet gotten into the habit of shooting tons of pictures at once.  I'm not one to take twenty shots of the same subject, as I don't see much use in it.  When I am shooting, I tend to shoot between 25 and 40 shots at a time, roughly the same number of shots available in rolls of film (24 & 36).  Back then I would bracket my shots, upping or downing the exposure, and not knowing what settings worked until getting them developed. Three or four shoots would suffice.  Nowadays, I choose a setting, chimp the shot (i.e. look at it), and adjust accordingly for the next shot... again, three or four shots suffice.
Of course, other factors go into the shot.... one can change the angle or perspective.  This will add on to shots taken...  I'm talking about basically a straight on shot... like of the sunset.  I take a few, and have done with it, unless I'm shooting with a zoom and get several perspectives.
Often, the "wrong" exposure will result in a more dramatic shot.  Fun when that happens.  Creating something that isn't quite there.

Here are a few of my most recent sunsets, showing the difference in a shot at various settings.  All shot with a 50mm prime.  (Click on any pic to see the series larger)