Rabbit Thought of the Day

Siberian Tiger(Canon 350D f5.6 @ 1/1000sec 100 – 400mm Canon IS zoom lens)

As a wildlife enthusiast I tend to shot in AV mode, I can set the required aperture and the shutter speed is therefore set automatically, this gives me control over the depth of field. I generally use a long lens (50 - 500mm) which helps me get in close to the subject I am after, and with the aperture set to say f5.6 the subject will be in focus while the background will be thrown out of focus.  

If you require to freeze the action then TV mode is the setting to be used, it sets the speed of the shutter to be used and alters the aperture accordingly. I used to use manual all the time found it difficult to control if I wanted to take a picture very quickly, and I ended up either missing the shot or it wasn’t exposed correctly.

Most cameras produced these days have varying forms of automation.  There are Full Auto mode, Program (P) mode, Aperture Priority (AV) mode, Shutter Priority (TV) mode, Manual (M) mode and some cameras have a multitude of special Program modes like Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, etc. 

The method of using apertures/shutter speeds outlined above is generally suitable for cameras with the Manual (M) mode.  In other modes, any change in either the aperture (in AV mode) or the shutter speed (TV mode) will be compensated for by the camera’s internal computer.  For example, if you have your camera set to AV mode, and has decided that you want lots of depth of field in your image, and you have set your aperture to f/11 (aperture priority), the camera will select a shutter speed to give what it computes to be the correct exposure.  Likewise, if you have your camera set to TV mode, and have decided that you want a shutter speed of 1/250 second (shutter priority) to freeze movement, again the camera will set an aperture to give what it computes to be the correct exposure. 

In Program (P) mode, most cameras set both the aperture and shutter speed for what it computes to be optimum exposure.  However, most cameras also have what is called “Program Shift” which is a facility whereby if you change one of the settings, say the aperture setting, the camera will automatically compensate by changing the other setting for you.  This is very useful and could be seen to be an alternative method to using AV or TV modes. 

In the other modes, i.e. Full Auto and special Program modes, there is not usually any adjustment to the camera settings possible. 

Finally, whilst all settings may be changed as outlined above, be aware that the camera will not be able to make settings outside the capability of the lens or camera.  For example, if you wanted to use a higher shutter speed than suggested, and the resulting aperture was outside the range of the lens, lights would flash in the viewfinder to warn you of the fact.  Likewise, if you wanted a large aperture and the resulting shutter speed was out of the camera’s range, you would also be warned.

On this in 1927 Charles Lindberg made the first solo non stop flight of the Atlantic in Spirit of St Louis.

Lindbergh's feat gained him immediate, international fame. The press named him "Lucky Lindy" and the "Lone Eagle." Americans and Europeans idolized the shy, slim young man and showered him with honours.

Plans for a super-database containing the details of all phone calls and e-mails sent in the UK have been heavily criticised by experts. The government is considering the changes as part of its ongoing fight against serious crime and terrorism.  

Assistant Information Commissioner Jonathan Bamford has warned that the UK could be "sleepwalking into a surveillance society". Others have questioned how such a database could be made secure.  

Soon nothing will be sacred, with the number of CCTV cameras set to increase and now this new Government scheme, it seems very soon every aspect of our life will be monitored, recorded and checked, what will be next? 

Advances in technology have made life much easier for many of us. Computers, mobile phones and many other gadgets have made us dependent on that very technology. It is also brings us closer to losing all the freedom that we have come to expect. At this rate every aspect of our life from the moment we are the day we die will governed by some bureaucrat.   

MP’s rejected a bill to reduce the time limit of abortions from 24 weeks to 20 weeks, this was defeated by 332 to 192 A second proposal to reduce the limit to 22 weeks was also defeated by 304 votes to 233.   While only a small proportion of abortions are carried after 20 week, experts believe that the foetus can feel pain at that stage.

Edward Leigh a former minster and father of six had campaigned for a 12 week limit, which he stated would bring us into line with the rest of Europe. He said

"In modern Britain the most dangerous place to be is in your mother's womb. It should be a place of sanctity, 98% of abortions are social - only 1.3% are for foetuses which are handicapped, 0.4% are for risk to mother's life" and added: "It is a bleak picture of modern Britain ...I believe we should give that silent child a voice."

On a personal point I do believe that 24 weeks is too long unless there is a serious medical condition that makes an abortion necessary. The limit could safely be lowered to 18 weeks, but I didn’t know that the limit in Europe was only 12 weeks.

Good morning all! It Wednesday half way through the week and only a few days to go before another bank holiday, I can hardly wait. Have just checked the weather for the south of England and it not something to write home about, Saturday is cloudy with some sunny periods, while Sunday’s forecast is for rain. I did mention some time ago that this weekend is Southend air show and it always rains for that. However, for Yorkshire (where I’m heading) it going to be sunny, yippee (the sun always shines on the righteous).

Fingers crossed it looking good for us this weekend.!