DonSmith

Not cheap but I photographed concerts at the SAP Center in San Jose as the team photographer for the Sharks and the arena photog - many acts making you shoot from sound board area - thus a 400mm f/2.8 is optimal. I would also use a 1.4x converter. Not cheap but will certainly put you up there with your competition.

I am just returning from my second International Workshop that I have taught with my partner Ron Modra in the past 5 weeks. I am currently in DFW International awaiting my last leg home to the Central California Coast. We are returning from a really fun workshop in Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chalten and Torres del Paine) and prior to that were in the Scottish Highlands. Next up in less than two weeks is Monument Valley - environmental portraiture of the native Navajos and capturing the fantastic landscape... Where is your next BUCKET LIST LOCATION?

Wow goldest - this is really one for one of Sony's techies to answer. From my understanding, you never actually touch the sensor when cleaning - you are cleaning a protective glass covering the sensor. My initial thought is you may have scratched the glass which may be able to be replaced. But I am not a repairman nor an engineer - just sharing my thoughts. I would contact Sony Repair via the website. Best of luck

Thanks Monica - I am currently working my way home from teaching a Patagonia workshop with my partner Ron Modra - waiting at DFW for my final leg. We will be out in Monument Valley in less than two weeks as we will host two back-to-back workshops featuring the fabulous landscape and these environmental portraits - we have a blast with this workshop and still a few spots open if you are interested. Ron is well-versed in teaching this part of the workshop as he was a 26 year staff photographer with Sports Illustrated with nearly 80 covers!

First off - welcome to Sony Alpha Forums RedDawn. As for a replacement, Sony has you covered in so many ways! Just hop onto their equipment page. Hard to make recommendations without budget information.

For me, photography is all about capturing moments and you certainly nailed this one. If this is a RAW file, I would try to tame those bright highlights - perhaps even some careful cloning could take them down a bit. Highlights will always beg for attention taking it away from the birds. Still - an awesome image!

I shot sports for Sports Illustrated back when it was all manual focus - you could either do it or not. AF allowed more photographers into the field but the image quality got better. I say embrace the technology and advance with it. Wanting to go backwards or saying it is cheating is to not acknowledge that all technology continually advances. All boats rise in a similar tide. I'm currently in Patagonia and photographed three pumas today at Torres del Paine - all with the Sony a1 and loving the fact that the AF was assuring that I was getting tack sharp images of the pumas. I wouldn't say I cheated - I could have manually focused but why chance it when the technology is so advanced. Make great images and move on...

As a pro, I get asked a lot what is the best tip I can give for composition? I can answer two ways: Fill the frame, and make sure you are giving a sense of place. What are your tips? Give the genre you tend to work in also...

I use my phone on scenes I see when I do not have my big boy cameras... I setup to use the RAW file. I also use it a lot for short reels to post to IG and FB.

Wow - tough question. I shoot primarily landscape... I would have to choose the 14mm.

That is the best Caroline! Have to agree with you...

I have to laugh Matt - I don't like waking up early either... I'm leading a workshop in Patagonia - had our 6th straight morning of 4am wakeup this morning. I'm feeling it but it has paid off!

I am with you on the ground fog Ira - won't ge3t that at sunset. The dark is an issue on both ends of the day but a small headlamp is a must 🙂

Tom - gas in florescent pulses - so it can change but I agree with David - shoot in RAW and batch set the color temp in post.

I also do not turn on Silent Mode. I'm so old school that it is comforting to me to hear a shutter clicking even if it is just a fake noise. I would use it for golf, weddings and anywhere that I had to be as minimal of a distraction as possible.

I concur with Gary, buy really good glass... CA tends to be most pronounced in either very wide-angle or telephoto glass along strong areas of contrast such as a mountain ridge with a vibrant sunrise/sunset sky. With my Sony glass, it is really no longer an issue but I still turn on CA reduction in LR.

What are your favorite three photography genres? Mine would have to be: Landscape, Sports and Portraiture.

I hate getting up early but I do it a lot as I love shooting sunrises... The air is clear and cold and the light is so special. What is your favorite time to photograph landscapes? Here is one of my favorite Yosemite sunrise images. I arrived at dark at Tunnel View and waiting for the light...

Awesome image!

I don't do it often, but it sure is fun 🙂

Hey Tony, I am also looking forward to the a7RV - specifically the ability to focus stack with RAW files! I have a boatload of workshops through March - many of them covid-delayed so looking forward to getting those in and starting on some new ones!

Every once in a while I like turning my inner artistic child loose during processing and I play with texture overlays. My favs are from Flypaper Textures. It's easy to do and adds a painterly look to my images. Here is one I did earlier this week while visiting family in Northern California. My wife Beri and I went our for an early morning walk at sunrise and there was some ground fog. I had my eye on this Oak snag and had been waiting for the right atmospheric conditions. The straight shot with was cool but by adding (2) textures, it elevated the look and feel of the image. Would love to hear your thoughts...

I've used the ol shower caps also Ira - generally it is what I can get my hands on at the time - too much stuff to travel with!

I'm back to feeling good again Caroline - thank you for your concern. Off to Patagonia this Sunday

Great add about the umbrella - I have one in my bag at all times - not to keep me dry; rather, to keep my gear dry