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April 28, 2018

ANPAT18 Spring - Day 5 images

Smokies_4-27-2018_274918-110px.jpgThe participants of the ANPAT18 Spring edition with its adventures in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park have spent their fifth day shooting the southern side of the Smokies. We are sharing some inspirational images from the day.

The tour is lead by Eric Bowles, the director of the Nikonians Academy in the US.

Eric says about day five: "Our first full day in the southern side of the Smokies was great. We had clearing skies for a trip to Cataloochee Valley, a tour along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a late finish at Morton's Overlook for a classic sunset. Along the way we saw fog, but also some bright blue skies. Here are a few photos - including a group photo with Big Foot."

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Posted by bgs at 5:16 PM

April 27, 2018

ANPAT18 Spring - Day 4 images

Smokies_4-26-2018_274529-110px.jpgThe participants of the ANPAT18 Spring edition with its adventures in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park have spent their fourth day shooting landscape and traveling. We are sharing some inspirational images from the day.

The tour is lead by Eric Bowles, the director of the Nikonians Academy in the US.

Eric says about day four: "We had a great morning on Foothills Parkway in spite of dense fog at our planned sunrise location. After a quick discussion, we moved to an alternate spot and were rewarded with a magnificent sunrise.

After sunrise, we returned to the hotel to finish loading and say goodbye to Townsend. Today was a travel day. We moved from Townsend on the north side of the park, to Sylva on the south side near Cherokee and with access to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We made one final trip to the Roaring Fork area to visit a few more locations before the rains hit again. With lots of rain most of the afternoon, we used the time to change locations, get settled, and process images.

The weather forecast for tomorrow looks good with sunshine for a change. We have an early start to Cataloochee."

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Posted by bgs at 3:53 PM

April 26, 2018

Your portfolio on homepage & which lens for birding?

Smokies_4-25-2018_274333-sq110px.jpgThis week we have three items:

Inspiration: ANPAT18 Spring trip has completed its third day and Eric shares some good images from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

Exposure: Member portfolios have been enhanced and are now shown on the homepage.

Howto: Lens recommendation for birding based upon budget and image results.

I am wishing you a terrific weekend with lots of inspiration and photographic opportunities
Bo (bgs)

Inspiration: The ANPAT18 Spring edition is under way and we have images from each day to share. The tour is lead by Eric Bowles and he says about day three: "We have had another fantastic day in the Smokies, started our day on Foothills Parkway and continued in Cades Cove and Tremont." Enjoy the images from day three


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Even some excellent sports photography possible in the white water. Image by Eric Bowles.


Exposure: Your portfolio on the homepage
We on the team are pushing hard to give you as a member more exposure of your work. Member portfolios are now showcased on our homepage as well, and we are providing further exposure possibilities of your work and art in the coming weeks and months. Read more here: To get started with your portfolio and more details on how this works with discussions.

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Member portfolios can be seen on the homepage of Nikonians


Howto: Which lens to get for bird photography?
JRP compares different kinds of Nikkor lenses for birding in his latest premium write up. He is including the latest lenses available, with and without teleconverters, based upon budget and image results. He is digging into the discussions held in the forums to make certain conclusions, which might be helpful when you are considering buying a new, or used lens. Read the article

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Liquid Perch - By Barry Schirm (bschirm)
Nikon D3s, Nikkor AF-S 300mm/4 D IF ED + TC 14EII @ f/11, 1/100s, ISO 1200

Posted by bgs at 4:17 PM

ANPAT18 Spring - Day 3 images

Smokies_4-25-2018_274402-110px.jpgThe participants of the ANPAT18 Spring edition with its adventures in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park have spent their third day shooting several interesting venues outdoors. We are sharing some inspirational images from the day.

The tour is lead by Eric Bowles, the director of the Nikonians Academy in the US.

Eric says about day three: "Another fantastic day in the Smokies for participants in the ANPAT. Our day started on Foothills Parkway and continued in Cades Cove and Tremont.

The highlight was some great looks and photos of a barred owl hunting and perched in a dogwood tree.

We continued to have rainy and overcast weather - perfect for macro and close up photography, stream photography, and some wildlife. We finished the day with some light painting at a local train museum."

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Posted by bgs at 12:12 PM

April 25, 2018

ANPAT18 Spring - Day 2 images

Smokies_4-24-2018_273876-110px.jpgThe participants of the ANPAT18 Spring edition with its adventures in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park have spent their second shooting day outdoors. We are sharing some inspirational images from the day.

The tour is lead by Eric Bowles, the director of the Nikonians Academy in the US.

Eric says about day 2: "It's still raining but we are having a great time. Another good day today at Roaring Fork, Greenbrier, and the Cove Hardwoods Trail."

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Ogle Cabin with Dogwoods in Roaring Fork

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Showy Orchis

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Native fern

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Roaring Fork streams

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Roaring Fork streams

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Showy Orchis

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Yellow Trillium and Tennessee Dwarf Iris

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Trillium

Posted by bgs at 10:05 AM

April 24, 2018

ANPAT18 Spring - Day 1 images

Smokies_4-23-2018_273533-110px.jpgThe ANPAT18 Spring edition is currently under way and we are posting some inspirational images from the first day in this post. This photo adventure trip takes the participants to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The tour is lead by Eric Bowles, the director of the Nikonians Academy in the US.

Eric says: "We had a good first day in spite of rain throughout much of the day. We called it "atmosphere". We spent most of the day in Cades Cove for early and late photography, and in the Tremont area for stream photography."

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Posted by bgs at 10:57 AM

April 16, 2018

April Contest Reminder

apr15-110px.jpgAll of the contests are underway, we have themes in Wildlife, Landscape, Macro, Travel, and Digital Artistry Forums, as well as our Online Assignment.

Also the first segment of the Best of Nikoninas 2018 is open for enteries. The theme is Wondrous Jobs from around the world

So, the challenge is on, let see what Nikonians con do. The contests are open to Silver, Gold and Platinum members.

This month's themes are...

Best of Nikonians > Wondrous Jobs from around the world

Wildlife > Conflict
Landscape > Bad Weather
Macro/Closeup > Keep it Simple
Travel > Hats and Head Coverings
Digital Artistry > Mechanical
Online Assignment > Sunrises and Sunsets


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Be sure to vote for your favorite images from the March contests. Winners will advance to the Best of Nikonians 2018. Voting is open to all registered members.

Here is a full list of Current Contest & Polls.

Posted by dm1dave at 12:04 AM

April 12, 2018

It is all about you, Hercules

20180306_074859_4.teton_photospydie_120px.jpgIn the community, it is all about you. Your photographs, your skills and your gear.
Granted, it is also something about us, the platform of things we need to maintain and expand upon to stay up and around as a community.

But... from there on, when the platform is there, when Nikonians.org is up and running and humming, it is indeed all about you.

In the "I Am Nikonians" series Marsha Edmunds interviews you, the member of Nikonians. To date Marsha has interviewed 27 photographers (we don't count JRP), talented members that share their background and some of their work with us.

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Grand Teton National Park by Carol Freshley (PhotoSpydie). Latest member to be interviewed.
Nikon D800, 24-120mm f/4 @ 98mm, ISO 400, f/11, 10s

The first seven photographer's of Marsha's series made it into our eBook "Inspirational Photography #1" with meanwhile over 10k (legal) copies in circulation. We will continue to expand our ways to publish our members work, eBooks being one channel.

If you too want us to look at your work and potentially highlight it in the I Am Nikonians series, please do give us a nudge. Best is to send JRP a private message in the forums.

One member that no longer nudge us is former beginner (ha!) and team member, award winning Marsel van Oosten. Marsel lent his appearance to Nikon for their booth at this year's National Association of Broadcaster's NAB show and has been working with Nikon on one of their D850 promo videos late last year, producing the time lapse "Nikon D850: Hercules Rising" (video on YouTube), background stuff on the video in Marsel's blog.

Through serious dedication, hard work and talent Marsel is not only a (role) model, but a great photographer. We recommend his workshops, which he and his team hold throughout the world. Check out his site for more information.

Let us all be Hercules.
Bo (bgs)

Posted by bgs at 9:20 PM

April 5, 2018

Sigma AF fails on Nikon with latest firmware

20180403_105022_-1-mixed_flowers_first_attempt_cassinetto_110px.jpgThis weeks update comes with information on issues with Sigma lenses not autofocusing on Nikon cameras using latest firmware and Connie Cassinetto sharing some excellent tips on shooting indoors in her latest premium article, using light box photography to achieve very pleasing results.

Plus, we have the monthly winners announced.

Read Connie's article "Shooting indoors - When Getting Outside Does Not Work for You"

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Mixed Flowers by Connie Cassinetto. First Attempt; Nikon D800, Nikon 105mm, ISO 100, 8.0 sec at f/8.0.
Shot in aperture priority mode in natural and added light.

From the forums

Sigma Lenses not autofocusing on Nikon cameras
Some Sigma lenses, such as the 50mm/1.4 DG HSM and 50-500/4.5-6.3 DG APO HSM do not AF on latest firmware V1.13 on several Nikon's including the D4s, D610, D800 and D810. Sigma lenses on Nikon D500 seem to work all fine.

Some other Sigma lenses, such as the 50mm/1.4 Art, 120-300mm/2.8 DG HSM and 150/2.8 EX DG APO HSM do not seem to be affected.

The solution is to update the lens firmware by sending it in to Sigma. Complete discussion thread

Portrait lens recommendation using a Nikon D300
Many recommendations in the forums in this thread

Monthly winners announced

Wildlife > Ian McNicol (Scotty45)
Landscape > Tom Egel (tegel)
Macro & Close-up > James Buch (jimray)
Travel > Richard Faris (Rrfaris)
Digital Artistry > Godofredo Baylon (GBaylon)
Online Assignment > Robert Wightman (robwig)
More info

I am wishing you a very productive, photogenic rest of the week
Bo (bgs)

Posted by bgs at 1:18 PM

April 2, 2018

February Winners & Best of Nikonians

seg1-110px.jpgWe are pleased to announce the winners of the February monthly contests and the start of the Best of Nikonians Segment One Contest.

All six images have been entered in the Annual Best of Nikonians 2018 Contest.
The April Cotests are being updated, to stay up-to-date see the Current Contests post pinned in the English cafe.

Follow the links below to see the full images and to congratulate the winners.

Wildlife > Ian McNicol (Scotty45)
Landscape > Tom Egel (tegel)
Macro & Close-up > James Buch (jimray)
Travel > Richard Faris (Rrfaris)
Digital Artistry > Godofredo Baylon (GBaylon)
Online Assignment > Robert Wightman (robwig)


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Best of Nikonians - Segment 1 is underway.

This segment's theme is "Wondrous Jobs from around the world".
We are celebrating working people everywhere, lets see photographs featuring people at work.

Click here to enter...

Photo by sevendayimages
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Posted by dm1dave at 7:06 PM