There's one in every crowd. You're the one in this crowd.

I decided on the Nikon B320. It has the bells and whistles that she would need, and it's compact. Not as compact as a Canon Powershot, but it won't take up too much space wherever it sits. It's light, the mode control knob is within the reach of the thumb, and it has a large viewing screen. I've also read some great reviews on it. My daughter should enjoy this camera for quite a while.

I know, it cost substantially out of my price range, but she'll have it for quite a while. Besides, I was the beneficiary of a very "happy circumstance." :)

I could, and I probably would, except that there are two sets of curious fingers that would kill it in no time. My personal camera is a Nikon D3000. I love it for what I do with it, but that is even too much camera for her.

Unfortunately, this week will determine what I can do.

Thank you all for your great tips and suggestions! I am by no means done with my search. I have a couple of retailers in my area, as well as a camera store. I just want to narrow the field a bit.

Thank you! I need to do something pretty quick, so I can get it to give it to her. I've seen Nikon prices in WalMart starting around $89 for a Coolpix point and shoot, but I want to know what else is out there. I don't want to get her an El Cheapo camera that will lose the pictures every time you change batteries.

I don't trust Craiglist in my area. Too many scammers.

To be brutally honest, she wouldn't need the sophistication of add-on filters, or interchangeable lenses. She just wants a point and shoot.

She's an adult, 32 years old.

I haven't bought a camera in years, at least not since I bought my Nikon D3000, so yes, it has been quite a while. I have found that this camera fits my needs quite well, but this post isn't about me.

My daughter wants, as she put it, a "decent camera to take pictures with." Since I don't really have the money to get her a Nikon D3400, I'd like to know if there are any cameras out there, for a price of around $100, that would be worth considering. It's going to be a Christmas present for her, and I'm thinking about something in the Nikon Coolpix line. Suggestions?

I live out in the country, and sometimes you see things that make you sit up and take notice. I have a couple of shots like that, and here they are!

The top one clearly looks like a T-rex, or Godzilla, take your pick! The bottom pic looks like a Gravois from a bad sci-fi movie series from the late 80s - 90s.

(Download)


(Download)

Unfortunately, it's the "deep pocket theory," at work. Joe Snuffy, who can't afford another print, takes his 8x10 in to get copied. The photographer (or photo company) will sue the photo finisher, because whether the customer knew to do it or not, the photo finisher should. Besides, if the customer gets sued, what does the photographer get? Maybe a house (unless the customer rents), or a car (unless it's a lease). Suing the photo finisher, you can take their business, whether it's one store, or a dozen. That $10.00 8x10 could easily cost millions in legal fees and damages. It hasn't happened to me, but as I noted above, I've seen it happen.

Very true, Alan.

Thank you. It was! It was one of those things that happens from time to time, but usually to other people. I'll try fireworks again. In the mean time, keep an eye out for "Tree-Rex," coming soon, to a gallery near you! :)

The low-wage Walgreens employee should care in buckets! If someone made an unauthorized copy of your work, that would be money out of your pocket, as a professional. Twenty years ago, I shot a wedding, being the only photographer available on short notice. When I went to the bride's home to take her order, I saw one of my wedding shots in her book case. She claimed it was from one of the guests, but a quick comparison to the proof confirmed that it was mine. I didn't have a stamp or other marking on it, so copyright infringement would be difficult to prove, but I read her the riot act and left her to fill her own order from the proof book she had. That was also my last wedding. Had I paid attention to where it was done, I'd have put the fear of God in them, too!

The low wage Walgreens employee could lose their livelihood, as the store is either closed, or its business severely crippled, by a lawsuit. With the advent of better printers, photos can be scanned in and printed to any size that the printer supports.

These are shots you can be proud of! You have a starting point that you can build on, but these are still very good. The last time I shot fireworks was with film, and those pictures fell victim to a forced move, due to the collapse of a foundation wall on my house, because of flash flooding.