Legal or not, I don't think it matters. In this day and age, common sense should tell you not to photograph a child without parental permission, unless PERHAPS, the child just happens to be incidental to the photograph. I believe it would then depend upon you using sound judgement. Maybe you should ask yourself, "Am I taking a photo of the child or of something else that the child may just happen to be near or part of the scene? I don't think there is a clear cut answer. I would not want to take any photo would make any adult/parent uncomfortable. There are just too many perverts out there today.

Any kind of "user manual" should be considered a "reference" document. They aren't very good for "teaching" one how to use the product.

You have excellent taste. The first one is my favorite also.

I guess it can be whatever color you want it to be! (Is that cheating?)

They look good. The only suggestion I might make is regarding the leaf in the last one. Maybe you should try cropping it so the leaf isn't right in the middle. Keep the "snow line" running from lower left to upper right corner, but with the leaf maybe down and left so it follows the rule of thirds.

Lighter would be good. Thanks for the suggestion. Sorry, but I don't have a yellow rose of Texas!

These are a few of the better photos I took at the Tyler Rose Garden in Tyler, TX last year. It was during their annual rose festival and they were all in full bloom. I used a Nikon D-70s. As far as editing goes, I just used iPhoto to tweak exposure and saturation mainly. Any suggestions on how to improve would be appreciated.
Thanks

Thank you very much. I do appreciate the kind words. Yes, sometimes I impress myself. However, those some of what I consider my best and there are many more that didn't make the cut! I want to learn how to consistent and not depend so much on luck.

The "Nikon School" has some pretty good one day seminars on beginning digital photography. They are offered a few times a year in the larger cities. I attended 2 in Houston (one basic photography and the other on color and lighting). I learned more in those 2 days than I probably learned in the previous 2 years. Also, you could Google "Basic digital photography" and you are sure to find a lot of articles and tutorials that will help you understand. I have found that the more you read about a subject, the more you will understand it (Duh!). Really, there is not easier way that I know of.

Have you tried playing with the Contrast in an editing software program? What about lighting and shadows when taking the photo? Just some thoughts.

I was drafted in December, 1968 but enlisted before my report date in order to get a delayed entry. Had to sign up for Artillery OCS to get it. Basic at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and AIT at Fort Sill, OK. Got orders for Infantry OCS instead of Arty. Told them "no thanks". Went to Vietnam as 13E20 (Fire Direction Control). Assigned to 2/11 Arty with 101st Airborne at Camp Eagle. Said they didn't need a 13E20 at that time. Found out I could TYPE! Became HQ Battery Clerk which probably kept me from getting my ass blown off (yes, I was a REMF). Went over an E-1 and left an E-5 (only good thing about the job I had). Did 13 months and a week to get "Early Out" on return to CONUS. Was given the nickname "Radar" (from MASH) after telling some of my Vietnam "clerking" stories. Only spent total of 19 months in Army.

My name is Robert. I am a soon-to-be-retired (end of the year!) hospital pharmacist in Nacogdoches, TX. I consider myself an "advanced amateur" photographer. Once I retire I hope to spend more time on the hobby and improve my photos. My first camera was a Brownie Hawkeye back in 1954 (anybody remember those)? My first SLR was a Yaschica TL-Super that I bought in 1969 while in Vietnam. Unfortunately, once I returned home I sold the camera and photography went to the "back burner". Once digital cameras became affordable I got back into the hobby with an Olympus 1.0 Megapixel point-and-shoot. I bought a Nikon D-70s when it was first marketed and used it until the D-7000 came out and I bought one. I always thought the D-70s was a great camera, but the D-7000 is a great step up. Because of the Scene modes I find myself seldom shooting in Manual or Program modes. I'm still learning how to use it, as there are so many options and controls. If you want to take a look at some of my photos, check out my SmugMug gallery at http://rbmartiniv.smugmug.com. I appreciate any constructive criticism from anyone with advice on how I can improve. I'm looking forward to learning a lot from you guys.