Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Did't care much for the nose flutes, eh Pat? Just out of curiosity, I was wondering how they work when one has a cold. Either strange noises come out or it's impossible to play. We were treated to a demonstration - it was interesting.

Thanks again for the kind words, it always nice to hear from positive things from folks that I consider to be more talented than myself.

PAToGraphy Loc: Portland ME area

I do like pan flutes. Can't imagine playing these - especially with my nose which always has its share of snot! We all have talent, Mike. If you don't try and don't use it, you lode it. And , it's work. Like anything else, you get out what you put in. I like to see what others do and have learned so much by seeing the work of others on this forum. Never put yourself down. Bet your images are better this year than they were last!

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

It's a work in progress but my camera and I just don't get along and it's not yet clear why. In my early 20's I had a Pentax K1000 - manual everything and just about when I had the split-ring focusing and the aperature ring figured out, I got distracted by life and then came digital which I fight with constantly. It would seem that aperature priority on a D5000 still means that the camera does what IT wants. It's frustrating.

Also, I can't help wondering how much of the "magic" posted here is post production as opposed to a decent camera and photographer. It is within my grasp to turn a sow's ear into a multi-colored sik purse but I would rather learn to be a better photographer. I think I'm just done with the camera I have.

ThomJ4 Loc: Meridian, ID

Mike, Don't give up hope. If you are shooting in Raw, then everything gets processed in post. There is absolutely nothing wrong with working magic in post. I guarantee literally every professional picture you look at has had some post production work done on it. Post production software is just another tool like your camera, flash, or filters.

The D5000 is a very good camera (this from a Canon guy). I too used to have problems figuring out which mode to use when, and what the results were going to be. I will use full auto for shoot and scoot, but I don't scoot so much any more. Other than that, I run on full manual all the time. It sounds like that's where you are most comfortable too. The nice thing about digital is that the film is cheep and you can experiment and make mistakes to your heart's content. As you gain experience with your tools, you will see the percentage of your good shots increase. Like anything else, it just takes practice. If you really want to improve, there are some really good spots to go. First is here; second, if your camera shop has free seminars, go to as many as you can; third, Digital Photography School is free, on line, and one of the best I have seen; fourth is Better Photo.com, which has a ton of online classes and resources you can purchase. If you subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud, there are tutorials there that would take you a lifetime to go through. Find a mentor. Be patient, it will come. In the mean time, if there is anything I can help you with, just shoot me a PM. I'd be happy to pass on anything I've learned --Thom :o)

PAToGraphy Loc: Portland ME area

Good suggestions Thom. I also recommend rereading the camera manual over and over - with camera in hand. Every time I do, I find something else I had forgotten or, on this reading, makes more sense. Mike, yes, mine too - when in Aperture mode it selects shutter and sensitivity "automatically" which sometimes worked an sometimes didn't give me the result I wanted. I subscribe to several on line free publications and am currently doing online courses at lynda.com (but you have to pay a monthly or choice of annual, fee -I'm doing it for 2 months. Then likely a Kelby course for a month). Like anything (I also play violin) it takes practice and more practice and more practice than that to get to know camera, (or instrument) - but the results are so worth it. (think hubby wishes I would "practice" more meal prep skills - Ha Ha)

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Not to worry folks, I have no intention of giving up. I enjoy taking pictures way too much, it's just that, generally speaking, things would be a little better if the camera didn't have some quirks that surfaced after an American Airlines Flight Attendant made me check my camera bag. My 18-55 lens was broken internally and the camera now has low light issues, which is odd because it has no problem telling me the lens cap is on. I still have no idea why it goes to duh-ville when lighting is low but I have lost photo-ops because the shutter was thinking about something else.

Thom, I will keep you in mind. Even if I get another camera, it is unlikley I will give up on what I have and it will most likely be another Nikon so I don't have to start over with lenses. Anyway, I will shut now, my apologies Pat, didn't mean to derail the thread.

PAToGraphy Loc: Portland ME area

Not a problem, Mike. MOst have moved to the next thread and we three have just been having a an interesting, encouraging conversation.

ThomJ4 Loc: Meridian, ID

Ouch! I think I'd check my wife before I'd check my camera bag. She's looking over my shoulder, so I'm just kidding. Sounds like your bag got beaten up pretty bad. I doubt seriously the airline will take any responsibility. About the only thing I use my 18-55 for is macro, and I usually will set f-stop and focus manually for that. Not sure what other lenses you have, but this might be a good time to move to a prime lens. Are your shots coming out dark, or is the camera just telling you that you are going to be under exposed? If your shots are coming out dark, it may be that the shutter timing is screwed up due to the abuse. Anyway, good luck. Your camera shop is going to love you.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

I had this huge message for you guys and hit CTRL W for some stupid reason and everything was flushed. What a pain. As dumb as this sounds, it simply does nothing - no beep as is usual when it's done focusing, no nothing.

And I believe you are right about the responsibility. I didn't try to contact AA. I figured they would find a polite way to tell me it wasn't their problem so I just bought a new lens. The second one is a 50-200. Nothing fancy but it works.