Emmett Loc: Onalaska, Texas

See, right there, that's the reason there is so many people on this forum. It is chocked full of great helpful information to have when out photographing nature. OK, everybody - lets roll!

Gidgette Loc: Boerne,Texas

Simple, I would make sure I was in front. When do we leave? LOL

gstephan73 Loc: California, Nevada, and Minnesota

Select your favorite image from your portfolio, make a copy of it, and "De-saturate” (remove the color or “Hue”) the image. That is converting it into a black and white image. Now apply the standards provided by others to this post to critically self-evaluate your image. If you could re-shoot this image what if anything would you do differently? Without color does the image still knock your socks off? Repeat this process with several others of your favorite images and you will begin to see a pattern of photographic issues that you will want to improve.

There is nothing wrong with color per se, but eliminating it during evaluation allows one to see beyond “all the pretty colors”. If an image is strong without color the addition of color is just a bonus. Ask yourself, did Ansel Adams’ “Moon Over Hernandez” require color to be successful? If an image is not strong without color it generally will leave you with your socks on even with the addition of color.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I'm not at the point to recommend much yet because I have so much to learn.

Just to follow up on the lens cap point. Taking it off is good. But you should also put it back on when done. That requires finding it. They want $20 for the standard Nikon 52mm one. I recommend getting some of the string keepers with elastic on them for about 50 cents each. I speak from experience on this one.

I did get a few ideas from a class recently that I am still working on:

1. Decide first what you want the viewer to focus on and make that the key location in your photo. You need to do that before you can use the rule of thirds.

2. Move in half the distance you are at towards the subject. Then do it again. (There are exceptions to this one; e.g. the Grand Canyon.)

3. On any subject with an eye spot focus on it.

4. Always check what you got on the LCD before moving on. Occasionally zoom to check it really is focused...everything looks in focus on that little screen.

Many more on my list but those are where I am currently, uh, focusing.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

Buy an oversize well insulated camera bag to double as your beer cooler. :thumbup:

MtnMan Loc: ID

Those are very nice. Thank you for sharing.

While I have nowhere near your photography skill I already have a bias against the "manual mode" advice. I formed it while taking a class from an expert that was about my age.

I would agree with learning the basics of exposure and learning how to work their camera as two starting points.

I have about 40 years of manual mode only experience from my SLR so I do understand it and can use it when needed. I know the experts think they know more than the expertise built into their camera so are welcome to eshew that huge knowledge base. Some may even outsmart it from time to time.

But I think it is bad advice to someone new to photography and to someone with a current generation DSLR. They first of all need to have fun with their camera and second need to learn the power built into it. They don't have the expertise of the people giving advice and can much easier learn how to apply the power built into their machines.

So IMHO better advice is to start using Auto and put your attention on composition and focus. Then move on to learning how to use P, A, and the scenery modes on their cameras. They need to first learn how to get sharp pictures and basics of composition and not be intimidated by nuts and bolts.

I get the sense some have a kind of macho idea about shooting in manual. I happen to think it is kind of wimpy and a defense mechanism to avoid learning the power built into today's machines.

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Further, in the advice column as presented by a wise Tanzanian guide, never challenge a Bull Elephant with one tusk missing, while he is in "Must" (as in-looking for love) unless you are tired of living and want to become a small spot on the African landscape. (how do you know if he is in Must? His ears are wet!)

MtnMan Loc: ID

Here's a fun one:

http://videos.ppsop.com/index.html

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AVarley Loc: Central Valley, California

Hey you're right! No running. But at least attempt to set the camera on timer and land on it with lens sticking out if possible. Who knows? If the bear gets ya, there might be (ahem) a killer shot for the forensic team to discover.

...hee hee hee

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

Reminds of a story of two hikers in Montana. A grizzly raises up on hind legs across a meadow and sniffs the air. Detecting the scent it starts towards the hikers. One quickly takes off his hiking boots and pulls running shoes out of his backback. The other hiker tells him he can't outrun the bear. His reply "I don't have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you!"

:thumbup:

I have to disagree with the killing of a bear because it mauled a hiker. Your in it's "yard" not yours!

DougW Loc: SoCal

Triangles

Emmett Loc: Onalaska, Texas

AVarley - you are a sick person.LOL

MtnMan Loc: ID

Right. They let one off for that earlier this year in Yellowstone. The wife agreed.

But then they had one in someone's backyard in Idaho where a guys kids were playing and the dildo's in DC charged the guy with a Federal crime for taking care of it. Some beltway idiot said they "should have called the authorities" (she was a Cabinet level dildo..Sec. of Agricuture or something). That person was obviously never in Idaho where the "authroities" might take days to reach you if you can figure out who that might be in this case and, Oh yeah, we even have places (like where I live) that don't have cell phone service. The kids would have been bear poop by then. Due to help from our Senators they let him off...but still fined him. They ought to stay out of what they don't have a clue about.

drobbia Loc: Near Middletown, CA

Thats a good one, and it must be true - hint, I stopped drinking beer/ any alcohol due to bladder cancer scare 5 years ago, my photographs have not gotten any better.

twohorse Loc: Western Wosconsin

Extra batteries.