One more thing, the ND filter you bought at Best buy is a 4 or .6. This means 2 stops. It is the middle of the common ND filters (2, 4, 8 or .3, .6, .9). In order that mean 1 stop, 2 stops, and 3 stops. This is helpful for setting timed shots and stacking ND's together.
Remember it takes time and care to skin anything.

Adding a CP filter.

I have not used the A550, but I was not sold on it for extra features (14 mp, 7 pics a minute in burst) when the A500 was the same camera with 12 mp and 5 pics a minute. It seems that they tried to push the technology of the A500 to the extreme with the A550 and lost something to so that.

Sorry about the loss of your mother. It is great to find something to distract your thinking for a little while. Keep shooting and posting.

Welcome Tainkc. Good pictures to show the difference between HDR and not. I agree that Sony has done it correctly by having this feature built into the camera. The A500 is a great camera for the reasons you mentioned and more. I have not seen the A580 in action yet, but I understand it is another super camera. I am not going to by one, I have two A500's and find that they meet needs.

Caution might be in order if using CP or ND to get action photos as these filters will increase exposure time (they decrease light, but do not change it). In other words, unless it is a bright day, you may not be able to get fast enough shutter speed to stop the action in the photo (if desired). With long exsposures the need for a monopod or tripod increases.

Welcome. I will start with the butterfly. My eyes have a hard staying on the butterfly--the leaves, shadows, and how th light hits the upper right of the picture all seem to distract my eyes from the main object. Maybe some cropping so the butterfly filling the frame. The butterfly itself is captured well, the colors are clear and the markings are clear. I hope this may help. I will let others comment on the other 2 pictures.

Good advice, CCC.

I would suggest an UV filter. Then for those outdoor times a circular polarizer filter (I use a CP indoors as well, but it will increase exposure time).
As for a manufacture, there several that make good filters. The one thing that is important is that the filters be multicoated.
With all the adjustments that DSLR have, filters that change the hue of the light I have not found necessary. However, Neutral Density filters are helpful--maybe not for your low light situation.

There are several choices. It would be good to get more information on what type of "distance shots" and how far you are thinking. Why Minolta and not Sony lens? In the Sony G series lens, there are some great options. Minolta lens are not necessaraly less expensive as the used market seems to have caught up with the demand for these lens.

Instead of using software to change backgrounds, you could invest in of these small picutre studio. They came with a tent and couple of lights, but you can change the background or leave it white.

I am going to agree with sinatraman's suggestion. Were you trying to frame the fountain/bridge? Framing the object with tihngs that the same height can make a lot of differance.

I agree with James. However, the Berry Pond image might make nice background in power point because of the lack of a main object. I know, you don't take pictures thinking power point background.

Another thing to always to do to for long life of the memory card is after you download from it or at the beginning of the shoot, is to format the card in the camera. Make sure you have the pictures you want off of it first.
Just because a card is Class 10 does not mean it is always faster than a class 6 card. Shop around ask questions.

Last year I took the senior pictures for my oldest nephew, he liked them, I had mixed thoughts. Anyway, my point is I will remain silent on the senior pcitures.
As for the three that you posted above some initial thoughts are:
- Things are centered to much. Rmember the rule of thirds.
- You have too many things going in the first two pictures, it is hard to determine what the main object is.
- Zoom in on the first picture or crop it so the animal is what we see, not the rock or the newspaper.
- Not sure what my focas should be on in the third picture.
I wonder if these general comments might also help you with the senior pictures.