I too have tons of slides that I would want to put onto digital media. I do not have the scanner for it and will have to send it out. But, I am proud of the past work, I just do not have what it takes to see them.

I have been using film since 1979 and I have a ton of negatives. I like to bracket and I used a lot of film to get that one. I liked film as it taught me to see. But, as I now have a digital camera, I love the freedom it gives me. I guess,there is no right or wrong, but what suits you at the time. I am not sorry that I gave up film, as I feel I am more free as a photographer. but, that is my bias only. Everyone has their own experiences.

The cheating gunfighters was taken in the 1980's at Old Tucson with film and it was trying to get the light and F stops, and aperture just right, as this was taken at noon. The Theler Trail was taken with my pocket digital and I had to do little Post Processing to get it right.

Cheating at the gunfight, Old Tucson, AZ


Hight Tide at Theler Wetlands, Belfair, WA

My hobbies are photography, paper mache, glass cutting, card making and making my own envelopes. I love to reuse common household objects and make new projects out of them. I use old chocloate containers to make doll props.

small paper mache bowl


Glass projects


Barbie on chocolate can covered in bark paer design.

I will second that. The photo quality is great and brings out the nice quality of the jewelry.

The macros are a good study in texture and form and the Black and White medium add a different dimension to the photos. good work.

I too love patterns in nature.

weathered wood


weathered wood 2

Here are a few of mine

bee on black eyed susan


bee on lavender flower


bee in flight

All that decadent food is making me hungry, but I am impressed with how you photographed the food. It looks mouthwatering, and I am sure you will win some food competitions. I would give you the first place medal.

I have discovered the joys of paper mache. I used to do that as a child as my mother was artistic and taught her children how to be creative. Fast forward that and now that I am 60 I have rediscovered that forgotten art. I love the feel and the creativity and it keeps my busy.

Fake rock for dioramas


watermellon shaped vessel (bowl)


Halloween mask

[quote=les_stockton]I can sympathize/empathize. I have been frustrated many times.
I wish I could address your specific issues, but each of us have different issues. Any attempt at advise would be a pat answer, which would be inadequate.
I'd rather just state that we've all been there. You'll figure it out.
I would suggest that since you had this experience, that before doing another shoot, set up similar to how you did this time and practice on inanimate objects. Get a feel for the light and the angles; and you'll figure out what works. Then when you do shoot a baby or another person again, you will have already figured out what works and what doesn't; and you'll know ahead of time how the light will end up.

One of the things I find, if I have issues with how my projects do not come out, I figure a way to get the issues resolved by trying different light situations by using let us say for an example shiny vs matte surfaces, for you situation I would but a lifesize baby doll and experiment the heck out of it. It will not cry, make a fuss and you get to play to your hearts content, till you get the feel of what you want to do. It took me two to three years of photographing bees, to get the technique down right. In the beginning, my save percentage was only 10%. I had the fastest delete finger on the west coast. I liked the challenge and kept it up.

I can tell you that every serious photographer has had the frustrations like you have just had. Unfortunately, it's something to go through; one thing though is that it's motivation for figuring it out, and it's probably going to be one of those lessons you wont forget (because it was painful).

I can vouch what a pain back problems can be and the pain that goes with the territory. I do hope that Theresa gets better soon and here are my two cents worth.

Rather racy on a white flower


Dew on a yellow rose

You should be proud of that photograph. And isn't that a good feeling that you have been noticed? It just goes to show that none pro photographers have a shot for their 15 or 30 minutes of fame. I too have been published and I let everybody know it. Congratulations.

Those two photos of the goldfinches are beautiful and patience does make your efforts pay off in the future. it took me two years of chasing bees in my yard to be proficient in photographing them. Some of the best photos ended up being serendipity. Birds are fun and if you like what you do, your photo will come to your expectations, and they will finally pose for you. Good work on these two photos.

Your kitty is a beauty and you are right they are the ones who have to be obeyed. My Casey is the boss and she is bossy to the hilt. But I would not trade her for all the tea in China. As for the kitty condo, I am sure you will have to ask permission to use his resting place.

Casey at rest on deck rail

Those photos of that dragonfly really falls into that serendipity mode. Those dragonfly photos are priceless as they will probably be one of a kind in a long time to come.