On second thought, there may be a bit of awkward balance there, but I can play with it....thanks

I saw a lot of symbolism in the statue photo. I did crop some but wanted to maintain and represent the size and expanse of "our world." The statue represents the past and years gone by, but still remaining vigilant and watching over our world. The tree represents life and the future. Almost like a young child. The statue is probably 100 years old. The tree maybe 25-30. Thanks very much for your comment and input

Thanks for all the nice comments and info. I would normally consider the photo too busy and put it on the back burner. Just did it for funzzies and practice.
As I remember shooting from the other side was into the sun. This is a great site...thanks...

Thanks for all the nice comments and advice. I mostly did it just for funzzies. (very busy photo). As I remember, shooting from the other side was into the sun.
This is a great site...

I'm brand new at this. I used a free software called Faststone. It's ok for now I guess.

This photo was a mess of wires. But just for fun and practice thought I would see if I could clean it up. P.T. Barnum dressed for the holidays.
You can still lightly see some of the wires. Underground utilities would be nice.

I did a lot of reading and research before I bought. Went with the Nikon D-3300.
You can get the kit lens and also a 55mm-200mm in a bundle package for a really good price...
I missed that sale.."ouch"...so I will have to buy the zoom lens separately.

Just got my camera and took some random shots down at the seashore, getting used to the camera.
Pretty good clarity with an entry level DSLR...All auto..unedited. Will get better as time goes on.
Thought statue and tree was interesting. Statue "wrongly centered" but offset by the tree.
I like trees..branching patterns

" My father used to tell me, "Some of the world's greatest photographs were taken with a cardboard box (pinhole camera)." This is true. Pulitzers have been won with photos taken with $20 plastic cameras. Point-and-shoot disposables have captured exquisite beauty."

I found this quote in an article. I am very much a "newby." I bought the Nikon D3300, first DSLR to get started. Had good ratings.
Not that expensive. Bought it right before Winter (cold)...haven't used it much yet, but the photo's I have taken look pretty good..

Thank you to everyone....

You folks are all correct...One of my sayings.."Just when I had all the answers, they changed all the questions."

Thirty years ago I used to take photo's with film with a decent Pentax. It was just a hobby, for fun. As I remember I only needed to use three settings, aperture, shutter speed, and focus. Life was good. I took some pretty good photo's.
Fast forward thirty years later I bought my entry level DSLR, Nikon D-3300. Whoa.! It's a whole new game. A camera that is a computer?...A computer that is a camera?...One of those, I guess.
There is an initial tendency for me to want to bypass all this technology...dozens of settings and editing software if you screw up.! I almost want to put everything on manual and go "old school." Three settings and the new ISO.
Back in the day' the computer and software was my brain and my eyes. No bells and whistles, just my ability as an artist to see, frame, and focus a good shot.
I would probably be foolish to disregard all this technology and add it in little by little as I learn digital.
Picasso and Rembrandt never had Photo Shop and they did just fine. Oh well, times change. For now it's all just for fun and that's ok.....

Thanks again for all the input....

Thank you all for your input here. I appreciate it...

Hello,
Just bought my first DSLR..Nikon D-3300. I used to shoot film years ago. I only have the kit lens..18-55mm.
I need a second lens..telephoto. I shoot mainly outdoors, nature, landscape, etc. From my research I see a large selection
and "price differences." Want to buy a good lens, but don't want to break the bank. The biggest bang for the buck.
Don't want to buy a 200mm max and then wish I bought a 300mm or 400mm.
What would you recommend I buy.
Thank you...