Composition, focus, framing, the basics all mastered.
It's plain to see that you have that sense of timing on the shutter to catch the magic moment. I envy you. Great shots!

Ah! A man after my own heart. The B&W makes it look like the entire motor is chrome plated. The color photo shows a very clean, well detailed motor that is polished, plated, painted, and CLEAN. While I like both photos, the gearhead in me likes the color photo for the depth and detail that pops out at you that otherwise just blends away in the B&W.

I like nature shots, but cars and equipment really get my blood boiling. I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your work.

I'm 66 years young. I can remember at the age of 3 or 4, riding my tricycle up close to look at the yellow Iris blooming around the house. Thanks for helping me remember these precious moments from my very young childhood.

Try using a long lens and a narrow depth of field.

I don't like snakes and stuff that want to eat me.

Don't know what they got. Don't want to see their bill.

Thanks for the great photo of some place I don't even want to visit.

Can anyone tell me what happened to Soligor lenses. I bought two in the late 70s, but could not find them when I went digital.

Sounds like you are a Brit! I won't hold that against you. Half of my family tree traces back to Jolly Old England. But, being born and bred here I was taught that "a pint's a pound the world around". And that a pound is 16oz. I know they use "stones" as a weight, but I don't know the definition of a "stone". So, please educate me as to how a pint is 20oz.

Went to Disney World Animal Kingdom Rain Forest Cafe a few years back. They had Fosters beer on the menu. I like Fosters, and ordered one. The girl said it came in an oil can. OK. What she didn't say was that it was a 32oz can. The wife wasn't too happy when I couldn't walk straight. Won't make that mistake again. I do kind of like being in control of myself.

Yea, I'm a Chevy guy, but I have Maypop and Found On Road Dead friends. It's all the same jive. I understand very specific questions will get direct and fewer answers. But many people have told me what they have, what they like, for what purposes, what they didn't like, and most of all WHY. These are all things that have shaped my thinking of what to look for. I have changed the whole outlook of what I want and why. I am a Canon guy. I have an XSi, 10-18, 18-55, and 70-300 Zooms. Covers a lot. I know they're not as fine as Prime lenses, but they serve my purpose. I may step up to an 80D, but probably won't carry them both. Put the long zoom on and try to stuff it into a case. Won't fit in the case I have. But I have learned from many of you that smaller is better, especially at an older age. So maybe a sling bag for the camera and lenses and a vest for the filters, batteries, SD cards, hoods is want I want. A friend just loaned me her backpack to try and showed me her fishing vest (too small for me). Now I have a direction.

And yes, I too have gotten a lot out of the most "off-the-wall answers". Thank you All, Thanx!

At the age of 66, I really don't care if I look cool, geeky, absurd or anything else. I only care that the other half isn't too put off about it. And lately, she starting to not care either, as long as we're comfortable and covered.

My Dad, who could spell anything, always liked to tell his friends that I couldn't spell shirt with out leaving the "r" out of it. He'd laugh, his friend would laugh, and I would laugh. A few years ago I figured it out. Then I really laughed. This English language is as complicated as the British system of measurements. (and the Brits have converted to Metric)
Thanks. I'll try to remember that.

Greetings billnikon:
I am a '73 graduate of KSU. I had forgotten about Campus Camera probably because the camera bug had not really bitten me hard at that point. I did a little for my Photography class in the Industrial Arts Department. I may be up that way this summer. If so I will stop in. God knows there are NO photography shops around Wheeling, nor could i find one in Pittsburgh through the internet. Thanx for the tip.

I like you. Your advice may or may not be useful to OP, but it sure is entertaining. I know you're a fan of Ancient Aliens.

A technician who built computers for a living once told me there is always a back door. I found it when I had to. Today, I'd take it to Best Buy Geek Squad or a Comic Book Shop.

OK. I am a little smarter than I was about chargers. Thanx.

Now what about the button, dials, and menus? I think most digital cameras can change the language of the menu, but what about the buttons?