Good job, proving 'necessity is the mother of invention' to be so true. :)

Hi dadamia,
I enjoy my little Canon SD890 IS ten meg for that express reason. So many now come without a viewfinder, but this one has a very nice, clear viewfinder, so you can take your choice - viewfinder OR screen. Not a terribly expensive camera and very handy to carry along on most outings, and I get very good results.

I would be thrilled WalshT, to get results such as this, using a 500mm lens. Good shot. Looks good 'n sharp to me.

Nice job Jimini! Thanks also, for the tip on the free time lapse program. Very interesting 2 1/2 minutes.

Good one, Silverhawk! I shared this with all the members of our computer club! Happy Turkey Day!

Hi Neil,
Another approach I've found useful, especially when you have uncluttered area like your sky area is... after using the clone tool, I go over the 'obvious place' just lightly with the smudge tool, in short movements. It tends to break-up the straight line that was left after removing the wire. You might care to try that sometime.

Nice shots Sharon. I especially like the covered bridge. Has anyone ever remarked about your very special smile? (Reminds me of Sarah Palin). Nice work!

I was impressed how much even the local geese enjoyed seeing the new fountain turned-on.

This is a shot of our foot bridge that crosses the Missouri River connecting Iowa and Nebraska. It is reported to be the only footbridge to connect two states over a river. Council Bluffs, IA and Omaha NE enjoy the 'connection'. Used a simple Canon SD890 on Auto.

Bob Kerry Footbridge across Missouri River

Crwiwy, I was about to do the same as you have done - introduce myself after about a week of 'observation and enjoyment' on this site... BUT if I did so, it would almost appear that I copied YOUR post and called it MINE! VERY similar background, transitioning eventually to digital as I now have done. You have almost identically described my journey from simple 'box camera' to today's gadgets, which by the way has been an extremely enjoyable trip.
I was a professional photographer, and was employed quite a few years by our local newspaper as 'Photographer/Darkroom Tech/Engraver/Reporter! After ten years and realizing I should have been paid according to my title, (which never happened:o)... I went self employed.
Contrary to all the nice equipment I read about now on this site, I am the happy owner of a small 'point and shoot' Canon SD890 10 meg, and enjoy so much the 'freedom' from all the technicalities I used to be bound by. I so much, enjoy just taking snapshots. It's so liberating. Occasionally, I even end-up with a keeper.
All my film system equipment, like yours has been set aside and I doubt I'd get enough cash to buy a good meal if I sold the lot, so I just hang on to it.
Don't get me wrong... I admire and appreciate tremendously all the great photos I see here and realize what went into so many of them to achieve the results. Good job all! Don't feel badly toward me because I now enjoy just 'pointing and shooting'... it's actually fun. About as 'technical' I get these days is the total enjoyment I derive from what Photoshop Elements is capable of accomplishing. It's enough to keep my old brain from getting rusty. Thanks Crwiwy, for making my intro a bit easier:o)
God Bless....

Dirty Dave, THAT's a great story, and with a good photo to back it up! I guess your guard dog was making an emphatic statement, eh? :o)
Good one!

A well-deserved retirement mack45, after nose to the grindstone that long! I've been retired for so many years it's hard to remember when I used to work:O) It sounds as if you've already discovered the secret to a successful retirement - KEEP BUSY.
Enjoy college and your new casual life for a long time! (I don't know how I ever found time to work six days a week like I used to, because now I nearly have to keep a log of things I'm doing so I don't criss-cross!
Happy Retirement mack45

I'm not familiar with the 20D but the bottom line is you need to set the camera (preferably shutter preference), to a very slow shutter speed, 1/25th or even slower) and if possible, use a tripod. The slow shutter speed allows the fast moving water to 'blur'. Give it a try and good luck.

Hi Plonker,
If reviewing the 'old' way is working, good for you. Just a word of advice: Progress in the 'film world' modestly (financially), unless cost is no object because when you're ready to step into the digital arena you may wish you would have held back on the larger spending for film equipment. Learning or reviewing the theory or 'main principles' is good. They remain basically the same with digital so have fun no matter which world you're in.
God Bless,
Papa Joe

Kylemc99,
I hope this 'fix' is pleasing to you. I've made an attempt at removing the large black spot from your girl's right (viewers left) eyebrow. Enjoy.
Papa Joe