The last one looks sweet!
I love that background blur effect. It's got a name, but I can't remember it.
Looks like you're well on your way to become a B&W photography pro!
The word you're looking for is called 'bokeh'.
I can't believe I'm just now noticing this club here after being a member of the forums for this long already. I needed some motivation to get off my but and do some shooting again lately and you guys just may have helped me out with that.
I bought a new lens last year and then shortly after that got busy then stop shooting anything for a while paid or not paid. I get like that at times as I'm sure we all do, but I've been thinking pretty hard about it the past few days that it's time to get back at it already.
Shame though because the lens I bought it one of the most incredible lenses I've ever used with image quality/range, sharpness, color rendition, bokey, etc. etc. etc.
The lens is the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) for the Nikon mount camera body. The balance of the lens is incredible and the weight is nice (to me) and makes the balance even better using a pro body camera. Not sure how it would feel on one of the smaller bodied cameras but I don't think it would be bad? Feels perfect on my camera which by the way is STILL a Nikon D1H even after all these years.
I just can't let this camera go no matter what it seems, the qualify of the photos is insane for a digital camera and to me it looks and feels just like film totally so I can never let it go I think. I was just about to buy another newer body before buying the lens to go with my D1H but decided I wanted the lens more so I'll get another body later on which will either be a D2Hs or D2X. It has to remain a pro body style camera though because it feels perfectly natural. I always used a grip on the smaller bodies anyway, but I like starting out with the full body in the first place instead as it's just better for me.
Okay I'm rambling now, but if you guys are looking for a pro lens in the 70-200mm range don't pass on the Tamron because it's just incredible. I had a hard time choosing between the Sigma EX 70-200 and the Nikkor 70-200 at first. After I saw the image quality difference the Nikkor got the nod, but just before pulling the trigger (after months of investigation) I decided to at least LOOK at the Tamron lens to see how it fares. After looking at the reviews and user experience I couldn't believe what I was seeing.....how can this lens match or BEAT the mighty razor sharp Nikkor lens????? I found one local at a shop and drove up to get it (great shop they stayed open after hours just so I could drive up and get it...60 miles GREAT PEOPLE).
That might be THE BEST $700 I've ever spent on glass, I was pissed I didn't buy it the week before for the H2Oi event (VW auto gathering/show) but I was convinced on buying the Nikkor which would've put me 1-2 weeks after the show. I bought the Tamron only a few days after the show feeling like a fool....
Kei