I agree that we should not remember 9-11 because of the planes flying into the towers. However, we must remember 9-11 because of the innocent victims and the first responders who died and dug for any survivors and kept digging. And because of those keeping watch for long hours.

Hello Dudley,

Do you get to Wildlife Safari? Have been out 138 to the waterfalls?

I agree it is hard to get good backgrounds at zoo's. It difficult on the glass because people (childern) have put their hands on it leaving marks.

In the second set of pictures the first two seem to evoke more emotion that the third. I like the whole flag in the picture.
I have not tried to get planes when flying. I like going to air museums and trying to get shots that tell a story.
Thank you for posting these pictures today.

These seem a lot better than the others. The butterflies catch my eye and keep my attention, nothing else is trying to divert my attention. Good pictures.

Sinatraman, we are thinking the same way. However, I must admit that I have a bias as served at Ground Zero with the PAPD officers as they were transitioning from 7 12 hour shifts to 5 12 hour shifts. I agree as people get older or die who were part of that day (relatives and 1st responders) it may lose its importance just as Dec. 7 has as that generation passes.
As for pictures, it seemed disrespectful to take pictures when there in the midst of the pit. However, most of those pictures that wer taken when I was there are now published in a book written by my friend. "Called to Serve: The Chaplains of 9-11" by Wally Johnston. It is availabe on Amazon.

Adding to JimH's good review of filters--Many people use a UV or Skylight filter all the time for all situations. They almost never remove it. It gives help by controlling most of the harmful UV light and also as a protecter of the front of the lens.

I agree mostly with JimH about the pictures. I would add that in the first picture the one blade of grass that is just in front of the eye is distracting attention from the whole picture.

I have noticed that most people like to smooth the water with longer expsore. I take pictures both ways to see what gives the best presentation, using different exposure times, some fast, some slow, and some slower then slowest.
I also remembering reading in some photographey book that every one takes pcitures of waterfalls and to submit a waterfall picture in a contest is guaranteed not to win.
However, it is still fun to put your camera and filters through the practice of these pictures for possible times in other situations where you might want to use the same method. I also do not go out of my way to get waterfall pictures.

I agree that it is more pleasing for the eye to have the logs in the picture. They provide more dimension and texture.

Thank you for the comments. I knew this is picture was lacking, but wanted to see if replies would be complementry or honest. I appreciate the honesty in the comments.

Any blurriness is the movement of the water. I have touched this picture except to flip it so the trees point up instead of being upside down as the orginal shadow.
I would welcome comments and suggestions to improve.
Thank you.

ISO 200; f2.8; 1/320 expsoure

evandr, I am glad that you are finding something that interests you and keeps you "focussed." It is always good to have activities. As I approach the 10 year aniversary of being a widower, I am enjoying the times I can get out and away to shoot pictures to distract my thoughts.
Take care.

I agree with Sinatraman. Bryan Peterson has been a major influence in my photography. Bryan's learned observations are very helpful and help you to see what you not seen before.

I agree with tainkc. Sony has many things that make it one to consider and an excellent choice. Many lens are avialabe for Sony Alpha camera as they except the Konica/Maxxum Lens with AF.