photochingon Loc: West Covina, CA

Yes, I am receptive to suggestions, but if you read my Introduction you'll see that I can't afford any post photo/production programs because I'm retired with minimal monthly income, which makes it difficult to pursue any such options, so, I rely on the captures I make solely with my camera, at least for now, and I do have the option of cropping an image with editing in my camera, and also with the program that came on CD with my camera, which I downloaded to my computer and I'm able to process my photos and edit within that program.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

potochingon, there are a few options that you can get for free off the in the internet. One is Picasa, which is a Google freebee. In Picasa you can crop, adjust and do a bunch of things that will help you. Another is Gimp 2.4.8 I beleave. With Gimp you can work with photos to remove with cloning and layers and what have you. To learn how to use Gimp you can go to You Tube and search Gimp. They also have a bunch of tutorials on how to use it at there site. It's all free. Just down load it.

Picasa will also allow catalog all your photos. It will allow your Name where you want to go. Like Grand Daughters birthday party, A night with Cow Girls or whatever.

charlie Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota

It appears you are doing well with what you have. You have the means to crop already. Set aside some coins and consider the nikon 35mm 1.8 for those special portraits. Just a thought. Welcome aboard !!

photochingon Loc: West Covina, CA

Thank you Bill for the input, but I have already tried Gimp and really didn't like using it that much. For that matter, I don't like using any post photo programs at all. Good example would be when I worked in printing, I used to see Ansel Adams photos that some clients would bring in for a Poster run, but they would want to take his original photos into Pree-Press and alter them for Contrast or other alterations and that to me is a sin, because the photos were just fine as is, and that would be an insult to Mr. Adams Integrity. If I can't make a capture using what I see through the Lens (even with Filters) then I don't consider myself to be a Photographer. That is to say, I think retouching is okay, but nothing else. Photography is an Art and doing enhancements using Post Photo programs is typical of modern times. I don't mean to insult you sir, but that's my feeling on the subject...

photochingon Loc: West Covina, CA

Thank you Charlie for your input, but I live in my own little world as well, and I prefer to capture my photos in my own style, and sometimes I'll get something really spectacular, not that often though, but at least it is a representation of my skill and understanding. Please don't take my response as an insult.

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

Welcome and enjoy

Great opening set, love the middle one

buffmaloney Loc: Indiana

Find a subject and shoot it multiple times, changing the F-Stop and shutter speed. Compare them to see what changes and what you like. Pay attention to depth of field and lighting.

Always watch for things like power lines. Keep the horizon level. The main thing I notice that people miss are unwanted objects in the photo or the horizon being off kilter.

photochingon Loc: West Covina, CA

Thank you, buffmaloney for your input, I'll keep these things you mentioned in mind, absolutely!

pjreed Loc: Tonopah, Arizona

Like you I don't use photoshop. I did download Picasa 3 and I used it for minor work. Cropping, straighten, contrast, red eye fixes. This is a free download.
The biggest percentage of my photos are straight from camera.

photochingon Loc: West Covina, CA

Okay pj, I do have a download program that came on CD with my camera that I downloaded to my computer in which I can process my photos and also make corrections/alterations, but I never use anything other processing and printing my pics.

buffmaloney Loc: Indiana

I also don't use anything. I actually don't have anything on this computer. Just built it.