squirrel033, absolutely beautiful bird shots....

if your lens allows for it go to manual focus set ti infinity and then everyone should be clear and in focus.

did you crop the wings out or did that happen during the framing for the shot? Does you editing software allow you to manipulate vibrance and saturation? if so, play with that and see if you can get the colors richer, like they are in life.
Nice job getting a butterfly to stand still for you for so long..

I am currently in school at the Art Institue of Pittsburgh photograhy, but I want my degree so that is why I chose this route, it will cover all aspects of photography, not just the mechanics of how to but the business aspect too. I just started this year and already have seen dramatic iprovement in how I see things and how comfortable I am with my camera and my abilities improve daily. We are also requiered to have CS5 and lightroom 3 and learning the ins and outs of these programs is rewarding too. Not sure what you are looking for in a school but I was up in the air between a degree through AIO and the NYIP. From what I researched NYIP was a good place to get the mechanics and how to's with out having to get the math and english etc...too.

Great idea to take a picture of. This looks a bit flat, there is no contrast or shadows, if there were, they would really make the image pop out and get your attention. have you tried taking the picture at diggerent time of day or different angle? It could really change the whole image up greatly. You should give it a try.

I don't think it is mandatory, but it is a way to get your name out and to protect your images

I bought the photoshop "classroom in a book' not only does it give you step by step instructions but it also gives you images to practice on to follow the instructions until you are comfortable enough to perform the lessons on some of your own images. It is a great reference tool, too.

I read about a photographer once who said when going through your pictures if you rate them as ones I would print, ones I can play with, and ones I don't care about, and delete the ones you don't car about, then you have a method of selection and archiving. ( actually it was Scott Kelby and in Lightroom3 book.)lol

photography by definition is "painting with light". So I guess you are a "real photographer" whether you manipulate in post production or not. Either way, it is "painting with light" and that makes you a photogrpher.

best buy sells protectors for iphone and androids and they fit fairly well on the LCD. and they are realatively cheap. you get three in a pack and they last for quit a while.

You do some really exceptional work. Don't second guess yourself. If your clients are happy and praising, that is really all you need. Keep going they way you know.

I kick myself all of the time when I don't have my camera with, then I think i'll just come back...but I never get back or the lighting is just not the same. When I do have my camera along and something comes up, I am usually overly pleased that I had it. For a long while I just kept my tripod and a diffuser in the car for a 'just in case" type of moment. for the few times you may use it, I'll bet it will be worth all of the times you didn't need it.

both pictures are realy good. grey skies are grey skies. if you want to try to add something, you can always play with hues or saturation and see what you get. good luck

These are really good, why do you think they need to be better? The bugs have nice contrast and good depth of field. Your eye is drawn immediately to the bug itself. The abckground on each are blurred and ;ight colored enogh to enhance not detract. the sunset image is beautiful. I like how pastel the colors are, almost a water color painting.

jimh, That is an awesome picture....and title to match...