Thanks so much for the information. I actually am reading Tony Northrup's guide now. My textbook by Henry Horenstein has been amazing! I watch Lightroom videos by Mrs. Kost on Lynda.com as well :) she is really great, I have learned so much from her!

Thank you everyone for the tips! I will put them and your comments to good use :)

I am told by many they feel they have become worse photographers since switching to digital. I can understand that, because not only does the camera do everything for you now, there's also no time or money wasted for snapping a picture digitally. I have been shooting with an old 4x5 and have a respect for film photographers I did not have before. I can't even imagine shooting all my pictures with that beast! Also, processing them is not my favorite thing to do. I sadly do not care for the darkroom, as I get terrible headaches. Even so, I do love seeing my work come to life. I think I still prefer to shoot digitally for various reasons, mainly because of convenience though. Thanks for the information!

This is why I live in Florida :) great picture! Love how the trees frame the man.

By the way, I didn't think they were out of focus :) I thought the one with the mouse could have been frozen if you had used a higher shutter speed but thought maybe you used 1/250 for a specific reason. I am still in the very early learning stages of photography and appreciate all the feedback!

Meow

Ahh, I am shooting only manual for everything, including focusing. It is a requirement in my photography program for this semester. I definitely understand and would not have caught even a decent photo if I had been you. I feel I miss so much trying to mess with the shutter speed, aperture, and sometimes focusing. I do understand the need for manual focus but I really think there are times when you need to use autofocus as well. I also get slowed down if I forget to change ISO when shooting in different conditions. People keep telling me I will become faster with time... well, I am ready whenever that is! How long have you been photographing?

Meow

Thanks for being welcoming and the tips!

Really nice photos! You make me want to visit :)

Hi, I am pretty new to photography and just wondered why you didn't use a higher shutter speed, maybe 1/500 or 1/1000 and adjust the aperture and/or ISO accordingly? Great photos!

I have just started photographing and am taking classes at Daytona State. I am learning Lightroom mainly, with a bit of Photoshop. I love being able to adjust in Lightroom, and there are so many great things you can do. I do try to keep it at a minimal also because the highly saturated look is not what I prefer. I also shoot raw but have just started a couple months ago. I did not do any post processing until then as well. Ha ha I have a bit to go! Thanks for the info! I'll be on the lookout for the Egrets :)

Hi, I moved recently from Merritt Island to Daytona Beach. I love your photos, I do not think I have ever seen a red Egret and I lived in Merritt Island my whole life! I visit almost every weekend to see family, just took some photos at Osteen Park. Mine are very drab compared to yours!

Hi, where did you take these? Does anyone know a place in Daytona Beach to take nice bird shots?

Hello everyone, I am new to photography and so far love it! I am a student and understand I am in the learning process... but still, I feel I am lacking what others seem to have intuitively. Can great photographers be made? I know I am wrong in thinking some people just have it(the skill of being able to take pleasing photographs), but I still have that inkling bit of fear that supposedly it is that way; and I do not have it. I just hope Mr. Henri Cartier-Bresson is correct when he said, "Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst". I like to think my drive and passion will get me there and makeup for the skills I might be lacking now. This post is seeming a bit dark! I do love photography and I feel it is truly amazing to be able to capture what some people have. I just bought a D750 after renting one from my school for a month. I am just getting into long exposures and hope to make some really great night pictures, as well as, water scenes. I have a Lynda.com membership and have been watching videos about Lightroom and Photoshop, since I am using both in school. Any tips on what I should watch? I know how to do basic things in Lightroom(graduated filters, cropping, sharpening, lens correction, everything in basic tab, dealing with specific colors and masking specific things) and almost nothing in Photoshop. Thanks so much!

Maddy