With the Canon point & shoot I used before buying my Nikon D3000, I got around the problem of lag time when shooting sports photos by shooting in continuous mode. I ended up with a lot of extra photos, but memory cards aren't that expensive and it's not like I had to pay for processing each photo. I got some nice shots of my nephew pitching at a baseball tournament using that method.

I used a Kodak Instamatic when I was probably 8 or 9. My first serious camera was a Pentax K1000 that I bought in the late 1970s. I think I was about 14.

Thanks...I was worried I might have overdone the saturation a bit in PP. I might back it down a little the more I look at it. The grass looks more like a field of safflower than prairie grass.

I had a burger and came out and got the shot. Although I didn't have the Randy Burger which is 20 ounces of prime chopped beef on a bun!

Vock, I'll try that and post.

rpavich...the clouds weren't doing much moving, so I don't think I could have smeared them. But next time I get some clouds like that I'll maybe try using my darkest ND filter and see what happens.

Thanks for the nice comments.

The other evening I had my camera along after a brief thunderstorm moved through the area and I got a couple of nice shots.

I stumbled across this scene will on a drive in the country yesterday. I'd have to say the ultimate redneck must live here!

If you can top it, post your photos!

My experience with press passes has required contact with the event staff prior to the day of the event (usually at least one to two weeks in advance) and a letter requesting access to the event on the letterhead of the publication employing me. I then show my state issued photo ID to pick up the event pass when I show up at the designated time and place.

I've used this method for Montana High School Association sponsored events as well as to a Canadian Football League (CFL) pre-season game in Regina, SK. I would never assume I could walk up to the gate at an event and get in without checking ahead. Also, by checking in advance, I'm going to assure myself of getting the best possible access. If I walk up to the gate, I might only be allowed to shoot from the stands instead of being in the infield at a track meet.

I looked at this site and it's just a way to seperate you from your $81.00. It promises you a lifetime membership and for that price and you get to pick your title on your credentials from the following choices:
FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
FREELANCE VIDEOGRAPHER
FREELANCE PHOTOJOURNALIST
FREELANCE JOURNALIST
FREELANCE REPORTER
FREELANCE CAMERAMAN
FREELANCE PRODUCER
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER
OTHER Title Choices may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

I can't find it now, but someone showed me a link to a site for radio & print journalists (not photographers) that offered similar credentials. It's been a couple of years, but I remember that the layout of the site looked surprisingly similar and I think the price was even the same. I told that person then and I say it now, save your money. You're much better off going to a legitimate small circulation publication in your area and seeing if you can get them to issue you a press pass in return for providing them with some photos for their use. If they'll pay you for those photos, then that's even better.

Julie, what is it that you find difficult doing with your current camera and lens that a new lens or body would possibly correct?

In baseball the umpire has authority over players, coaches and fans and can order any of them to leave the ballpark. Usually this would be for unruly behavior, but also could be for safety reasons. A track meet official would likely have the same authority.

I've played around with the custom white balance a little bit and it does work much better than the factory presets. I've been tempted to get a rig similar to what Festina Lente has.

Some of the variations are going to be more noticeable than others. Just look for those lenses which have significantly more positive feedback than negative.

Until the factories are totally automated with no human interaction, you're always going to have some variations. Maybe one lens was made on the day after a big holiday and the folks on the assembly line were still recovering from the party. Who knows, the human factor introduces many opportunities for quality variations.