Lakelandlass

Hi Jim Just downloaded and watched your version of Tallinn. It is always interesting to see a different perspective of a place one has visited and I found it very enjoyable re-visiting, through your presentation, sights I photographed some 3 or 4 years ago, and more besides. You seem to have been a bit more fortunate with the weather and there appeared to be a lot more going on. The little craft stalls close to the docks were closed when we were there. Very interesting and good narrative, Jim, and I now look forward to seeing the rest of your trip. I must confess that, apart from Copenhagen and Tallinn, and purely because of the poor weather we experienced, I have never been motivated to even process many of my pictures. Maybe I will get around to it sometime. Maureen

Hi Mick Just ordered a case of Prosecco!! First of all, thanks for your comments which are always appreciated, as you know. As far as 'candid' street shots are concerned, someone suggested to me a while back that I should try to include some when photographing in cities and I now happen to think that it does add something to a show. Might end up with a 'fat lip' though, one of these days. I think I've told you before how I process my images. For a start, I always use RAW as it gives much more flexibility. Adjust the sliders in Adobe Camera Raw then into Photoshop for Levels and sharpening. Try it Mick, there's more work involved but I happen to think it's worth it. Pans and Zooms - I've really only recently started to use them as I, like others, don't think you should pan and zoom, or anything else, just because you can. However, now when I look back on my earlier shows I tend to think they are a bit static and could perhaps use a little movement now and again. Not every frame, but just occasionally. All just a matter of personal choice. Again, I always appreciate your comments and keep drinking the Prosecco! Maureen

Thanks to Ken, Morturn and Davy C for your appreciation. David (Morturn) - We were very lucky getting such nice light, especially since quite a number of those shots were taken a couple of hours after we had arrived there. No, I didn't take any pics after the sun had gone down below the horizon as I would really have needed a tripod, something which I never take abroad with me. However, I did take the last couple of images from our hotel room balcony resting my elbows on a solid surface. Maureen

A new show of images taken during a short break in Florence in March this year. On www.beechbrook.com/pte with grateful thanks to Bill Hines as usual for kindly hosting. Maureen

Thanks, Bill. Maureen

Mary - thank you for your comments. I see that you enjoy Jean-Charles' presentations as much as I do. He really does raise the bar. Maureen

Now this really IS a stunning a/v with such subtle pans and zooms and great photography. Jean-Charles, I have kept everyone of your a/vs and view them regularly. Really wonderful work. Maureen

Thank you Ralph, and I can understand your remarks about San Marco, Doges Palace, etc, and that is precisely why I wanted to create an a/v on the 'backwaters' of Venice, to show a different, quieter Venice. Indeed, it is the one that I had in mind before I went there this time. I also wanted to create a show of 'touristy' Venice without it containing people wearing masks as I am sure you will have seen lots of those, too. I don't know which of the two shows I prefer as they are both very different so to each his own, as they say. However, thanks again for your comments, oh, and bye the way, what's a Yorkshireman doing supporting Man U? (Only joking!) Maureen (A Yorkshirewoman)

Daniel - thank you. Your comments are appreciated as always. Maureen

Patrick - thank you for sending me those. However, I am having problems downloading from Mediafire at the moment which I hope to sort out soon. I was looking at your a/v of Amsterdam only yesterday, part of which was photographed in foggy conditions, which produced very atmospheric photographs. I will try and download your Venice pictures in the next few days, hopefully, so thanks again. Maureen

Rick, Morturn and Eric. Thank you so much for your comments. They are appreciated. Patrick - thank you, too, for your generous comments and suggestion about panning which I will try. Paul - Thank you for commenting. Venice is such an interesting place, as you will know, that you would need at least 4 days and then not see everything. I have to say, though, that we were exceptionally lucky with the light and weather. Maureen

Thanks, Mick. I hope you weren't one of the first to download 'Simply Venice' this evening as I sent the wrong show to Bill. However, he very quickly removed it for me and put the amended version on, crazy woman that I am. Anyway, I'm pleased this different show of Venice is more to your taste. Maureen

Following on from my previous show, this presentation concerns itself more with the 'touristy' side of Venice. On www.beechbrook.com/pte with grateful thanks, again, to Bill. Maureen

I believe this might just be your first AV where one can pause and linger longer over the images? Thank you for that. Anthony

Snapcam and Paul I think for various reasons Spring is a good time to visit, not least because it isn't as busy nor is it too hot and provided the weather plays ball, the light can be nice. I have kept a few shows on Venice in carnival time which I downloaded from the French site. Some of them are superb work. Thanks to you both for your comments. Maureen

Dave - I enjoyed watching this, the music goes well and I particularly liked the way it started and finished. Yes, the synchs are out but that's something I struggle with too, and I think maybe slower fades would have been better IMHO. It's good to see a show from you again. Maureen

DavyC, Daniel and Morturn - thanks for your comments. Venice is certainly a very photogenic place. Maureen

Patrick - thank you for taking the trouble to watch the show again, this time with different music and much appreciate your comments. How nice you were able to show your grandchildren where their parents are staying but hope it won't prove too expensive for you. Thanks again - Maureen

Jim - thank you very much for that. I think I will stick with the one I sent to Bill after all. As you say, it synchs better. The choice won't be as hard for my 'popular' Venice which I'm just trying to get my head around. Thanks again. Maureen

Eric - thanks for your comments and particularly thinking about the music. Bye the way, that tower really DOES lean. Maureen

Thanks to all of you for your generous comments. I am glad I've made you happy at last, Ken. I thought I would give you time to grab your specs! Rick and Patrick - I was interested in your comments about the music as this selection was definitely NOT the music I had in mind when putting together the a/v. However, the original piece was short and the actual recording was faulty. However, I spent many hours trying to join and end it satisfactorily but failed miserably. I even enlisted the help of my husband who didn't like the music anyway. In the end, we gave up and I decided to look for something else. I have uploaded the a/v with the ORIGINAL choice of music to http://mediafire.com/?45tz4z4kx854t3h and would be interested to hear if you think it works better. Once again, thank you. Maureen

A four night stay in Venice in March this year - in excellent weather - resulted in a great many images. In this A/V I have tried to show a 'quieter' Venice, away from the usual very busy hotspots. Just plain and simple with no animation this time. Keyboard control allowed. www.beechbrook.com/pte with grateful thanks to Bill Hines as always. Maureen

Bless you, Al, that's very kind of you. Maureen