My very fragrant noid Phalaenopsis

makes a lovely plant into a super plant to have fragrance too

It's even stronger scented than the nobile Dendrobium was.

must be amazing! have you got them in the house or in a greenhouse?

They're in the house Sticki.

how lovely!!
just looked at this one again ~ i love the lighting on it ~ how did you do that?

It was taken in cloudy weather in the conservatory using a long exposure (hence my messing about with the tripod).

ah, i understand the need for the tripod ~ its certainly worked. that background makes the flower stand out beautifully.
i dont think i can do long exposure on my camera ~ i sometimes think of changing it so i can do these clever tricks.

Ah but, we can be too clever for our own good sometimes!

i cheat with a camera that does it automatically for me! but i sometimes think i would like to learn about the long exposure and all the other bits.

Most digital cameras have a choice of "exposure mode" (ie; direct sun, shade, flash, as opposed to shutter speed which is what I was referring to). I've found that with certain shades of colour (especially red), using the wrong exposure mode (or even flash to fill in) can work better.

ok;
i have a series of options ~ can do 'Av' which i think means light is the premium factor, several other initials which i dont understand and dont therefore use and one that is scn ~ scene ~ on which i can have sunset, foliage, indoor, beach, snow etc etc.
i have another dial which has speed on? i usually have 200 or 400 on for that ~ it goes from hi to 1600 and has an auto option

That "other dial" is the equivalent to the ISO rating of the film that we used to put in our old cameras - it's a theoretical value on a digital camera, but it does alter the way that your camera processes your shot. By going for a low ISO figure, you're telling it that the sharpness in simple terms is paramount. A slightly simplistic answer, so here are a couple of links from sites that I used to get to grips with digital........

http://www.geofflawrence.com/photography_tutorial_ISO_film_speed.htm

http://www.picturememory.co.uk/ISO%20Rating%2043.htm

Hope they help.

many thanks ~ thats great ~ i like sharp and i like close up so im guessing im better off with 100? [i used to use mainly 200 i think on the old film system]
i will have a read properly soon ~ thank you.

Very much depends upon the amount of available light. Using the tripod allowed me to go low with a long exposure. Car boot sales often throw them up.

ive got one of those little gorillapod [?] things i can have a go with that, also OH has one but its a bit cumbersome.

Use the timer function to save unwanted vibration....

sorry not sure which that is.
ive put a photo on now ~ think the leaves have come out better than the flower

Just an issue with the point of focus if the colours are close.....

hard to focus in the dark!!!

Agreed!!

Another lovely bloom Meanie , I could do with some lessons as well , when doe's the new term start ? I have copied your site links and will have a look !

Thanks Amy.
There are lots of good sites out there.....