Welcome to the group, Gordon. I suppose jumping out in from of the parade and quickly capturing this image was pretty much your having to capture the image with the settings at hand (you don't say whaat they were). IMV, the image could have been improved if you focused on the motorcycles to at east make them clear. I would surmise that you captured the image at a wide f-stop which would explain the shallow depth of field. But the image is a good PJ example.   Posted: 11/01/2025 06:40:34

Thanks for the input. I was allowed by the parade committee to shoot photos from any angle I wanted and had no restrictions. To be safe and look like I belonged there, I wore a neon surveyor vest...planning the same this year. This was my first venture into something like this, it was cold and a lot of rain so I spent a little time under cover where I could find it. So I opted for "Auto" mode which clearly a big mistake. For this shot I used a Sony A7r, with a Tamron 50-400mm my settings were F/6.3 ISO 2500 and shutter 1/1000. I also ad a A99 with 50mm for close ups.

My plan this year two cameras again my new A7C with the 50-400 and a A7r with either 50mm or 25-70. My start out settings depending on weather will be about ISO 400. F8 and about 1/250 ish and in RAW. I've done a few other events since the parade involving the A7C / Raw and Maual settings and like the results so far. One image recently grabbed 1st at our local camera club meeting. 100% happy to be here!   Posted: 11/01/2025 07:53:55