[Parnell]

My winner is the Lighthouse, but I love them all.

[fcfromnc]

All of the photos you share with us are gorgeous. While you may have preferred the Hibiscus stamen to be more in focus, the beauty of the texture of the Hibiscus is exquisite. We all wish our photos were as good as yours. When you are photographing the wildlife, you always capture eyes that are in focus, which to me is the soul of the animal! Thanks for sharing your pics.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by BlackhawksFan

This could use some further explanation. I shoot a band on the squares and have zero issues.

What exactly were you shooting and where exactly were you?

I can totally understand being shut down by a business like if you were taking pics on their patio or inside but "on the square?"

First, businesses, especially small businesses, seldom mind having their stores photographed. They will sometimes ask that their customers not be photographed.

To clarify this, first, the Square is a business - it is owned and operated by TV

The law from state to state varies, but in Florida is boils down to if you are on private property, you must have the permission of the owner of the property to take photos. PERIOD. If you are on public property, you can take pictures of anything you can see.

It is up to the owner of the property to enforce the restrictions.

I used a Nikon camera and used my "long lens" (Nikkor 200-500). The 200-500mm is a semi-serious birding lens about 18 inches long and weighs about 5lbs. It looks professional. That combined with I shoot candid street photography with it at times, and in the Square, I was shooting people - holding their dogs, dancing, laughing, living. Imagine a stranger kneeling and pointing a massive lens at you while laughing and enjoying your friends. Trust me, with a lens that big, there is NO doubt you are the subject. And from 50 feet away, the photo with that lens will show every pore on the skin of your nose.

If I were on a public right of way it, would be perfectly legal and not anything anyone could say about it.

I was not aware the squares were private property -= I thought they were public, but that makes sense now.

I can understand how some people are intimidated by a stranger with a massive camera kit taking their photos in public places. I always pay attention to people's reactions when they see me taking their picture, and if they appear angry or distressed, I walk over and politely ask permission, and if they prefer me not to take the photos, I show them as I delete them.

I firmly believe in not abusing the law.

Technically, if you walk down a public street and see someone undressed in their living room through an open window, you can take their photo. Publishing it is a different subject altogether, but you can take it. Courts have ruled anyone seen from a public location cannot expect privacy. If you want privacy in your home, close the blinds.

If you were taking photos of a band with a phone camera, I doubt anyone will say anything. The bands appreciate having their pictures taken.

For years, I went into clubs at night and photographed the live bands performing. (A way to learn how to shoot in the dark with fast-moving subjects) I ALWAYS asked the club owner and the band for permission first - clubs are private property. I was never refused permission and always gave the bands copies of the photos.

So, to summarize. I could have walked out onto the street, and with my long lens, I could easily get all the same shots. But, I felt the TV employee intended to be polite and let me know they prefer I NOT photograph people who were there to have fun and possibly be made uncomfortable by my imposing camera.

Also, as I said, the fact I could do something doesn't mean I should.

I have been shooting candid street photography all my life. I love photographing people in the act of living. And having photographed people in public for decades, I have learned it's more important to be considerate than it is to be right.

There, you asked for some further explanation, I hope that explanation is adequate and answers your questions.

[Shutterbug]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

Hint, I think the Hibiscus sucks - lol - that is one that would normally have been cut.

The Hibiscus is okay, but I see what you are saying. The B&W of the lighthouse is great: good contrast and sharp edges.

[fcfromnc]

All of your pictures are exquisite! The 2nd of the three egret pictures is my favorite. It shows two factors that are goals for which I strive - the soul of the animal via its eyes and motion. Don't edit out the Hibiscus! While you may have wished the stamen to be more in focus, the focus on the petals captures its gorgeous texture with the stamen. Anxiously waiting for more of your work!

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Good stuff! Lots of keepers!

I’m surprised with the apparent new policy limiting photography. I’ve taken lots of photographs at LSL during “happy hour performances”, even more video which I’ve uploaded to YouTube. I was never approached to stop photography or video, even though in several cases I was actually standing on the stairs to the gazebo to get an elevated view of the crowd and closeups of the performers. Obviously, there must be new language in the contracts with the performers prohibiting photography, much like the pre-show announcements at Savannah Center or The Sharon. What would the world be like without lawyers?

It is not a "new policy", read my extended explanation above.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by fcfromnc

All of your pictures are exquisite! The 2nd of the three egret pictures is my favorite. It shows two factors that are goals for which I strive - the soul of the animal via its eyes and motion. Don't edit out the Hibiscus! While you may have wished the stamen to be more in focus, the focus on the petals captures its gorgeous texture with the stamen. Anxiously waiting for more of your work!

Thank you very much.

Here is an example of hibiscus in my backyard. This is closer to what I want, but still not quite perfect - I need to get the depth of field a little bit deeper to get the base of the stamen in focus.

[sally123]

Wonderful pics!!!

[Kingkong]

We have photos of our up north place at our home in The Villages. We would love photos of The Villages in our up north place. Are your photos available to buy?

[tedquick]

Hey Grumpy, I enjoyed the pictures a lot but it would have been fun to also see the "old coots" that you had to delete!

[billlaur]

you r correct but there is nothing wrong with exercising your 1st amendment right,freedom of speech, press,etc..you know what happens if we dont use our rights they will and are slowly dissappearing....

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

Here are a few from today's walk around Sumter Landing.

I kind of got chased out of where I was doing most of my shooting - it was in the Square where a live music show was going on.

It turns out The Villages doesn't allow photography there, maybe because of a bunch of old people dancing outside - LOL... but, it is private property, so, to avoid a fuss, I left and deleted all the potentially "embarrassing" candid photos.

Most of my shots today were candids of the crowd watching the music, so there aren't many left.

Here are a few I took out by the lake and I left in a few that normally would have been "outtakes" so you get to see what they look like before I edit out some duplicates.

I would be interested in which of the duplicates you all prefer. I know which I would normally have left in, so, let me know your choices.

---
EDITED: The vote is in and the B&W Light House and the Anhinga appear to be the favorites, with the B&W edging out the win. And thank you to those that identified the blackbird sunning itself as an Anhinga, I hope to learn the names of all the birds I photograph. The Lighthouse made me think of The Great Gatsby - and hence the B&W.

I think I see Rodan

[Gulfcoast]

These pictures are wonderful! I love them all. That squirrel picture is adorable.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by Gulfcoast

These pictures are wonderful! I love them all. That squirrel picture is adorable.

Thank you

[Gator_Girl]

I love the squirrel💕 part of the fun of having too much to drink and hitting the dance floor is knowing somebody is recording you and they're going to put it on YouTube! 😂