Looks like you are off to a great start, have fun and enjoy!

I would too!

[quote=DB]

WOW DB if that is your first can't wait to what happens when you get warmed up! GREAT!

I checked out that little setup. it that looks pretty slick!

I found one 24" W/ 4 lights for $71.10. That I think will be better for my needs... This is so cheap! Hope the lights last and new bulbs are available... Thanks for this direction!
http://www.amazon.com/LimoStudio-Table-Photography-Studio-Lighting/dp/B005CX9RKE/ref=pd_sbs_sg10

Lovely Image. Love the colors.

I actually had 2 Also! the FD-73 & then the 75
I believe I still have most every camera I've ever had except the Mamiya 645... That one, went away to settle a divorce... It was a VERY fun camera too!

I hope I keep having fun along this journey...

"It ain't the arrow, it's the Injin - Lee Travino"

A photo friend just posted that comment, under our group where it says, "What kind of camera do you own?"
I like it a lot, and think how eloquently simple it is.

I started out in photography with film cameras just when they were getting "Through The Lens Metering" and bayonet mount lenses. They were not automatic, you had to decide what aperture and shutter speed to use with every shot. The "ASA" now "ISO" was not much of a matter of choice. There was no Auto focus. I'm so thankful I entered photography at that point. It gave me the understanding of those integral relationships.

The more lenses I got, the more decisions there were about which to use. I bought some Medium Format cameras Mamiya M645 & RB-67... ( someone's dream camera... It now sits idle in a case over by the door.)

At some point I quit taking pictures until I got my first Digital camera a Sony Mavica FD-73 in 1999. It used 3 1/2" floppy discs for its "Film". That camera awakened my creativity like never had before. Only one lens, with a 35mm equivalent of 40 to 400mm with a 10x optical zoom lens. I had so much fun with it, and my creativity with it was amazing.

4 years ago. I bought another much more modern digital camera (P&S) with adjustable aperture and shutter speed. It was fun.

Now I have 2, 2007 model Canon 40D's and an ever expanding lens collection.

I take pictures for my enjoyment (like I always have), and keep trying to make myself happier with my images. But from my very first camera, to the one I might have 5 from now, they are the tools I use to capture the images with. The pictures are a product of my creativity, my artistic imagination (or lack there of), and the equipment I use. Some of my new expensive L lenses, give me images I could only dream about in the past.

But in the end...
"It ain't the arrow, it's the Injin - Lee Travino"

Downloading them only transfers them from your camera to your computer. It has nothing to do with how big they are or are not.
Your camera shoots images at a given "Mega Pixal". Say 8MP 10MP 12MP or ??? Once they are in your computer, you can re-size them to a smaller size for emailing or whatever... But save it as a new file or you loose your original. Say if your original file name is "image.0177.jpg" you might save the re-sized photo as "image.0177-RS.jpg" . I use RS for "Re-Size".

But the Larger the size of the "Mega Pixal", the larger size print your can make from your image original picture.This is kind of a simple answer but I hope it helps.

I would certainly second Jim's choice of next lens, I have it. it is a favorite and fun lens for me. You can really get close up with it!

Mostly, I would say you need to go out and see whether you need to be closer or farther away from the subjects you want to shoot.
Or to you want to be really close and have a flower or insect fill your screen?

This will tell you which lens direction you want to go to...

FYI... This disease does not seem to stop. "Need-New-Lens-Ittus" seems to stay with you once you have contracted the photography addiction...
Have fun!

Hi Will,
Welcome~
I used to live in Orange County too, Santa Ana/Orange Area.
Now in the Beautiful Pacific NW.

I had a humming bird feeder this year too, but no humming birds...
We barely even had summer!

It took me a long time to be able to capture images of the moon I was happy with. The Moon is very bright, so actually you don't need a slow shutter. Of course start with the tripod and use a cable release if possible, or set camera to self timer if you can't use a cable release. Set your camera to manual focus, and focus it out to infinity. Play around with your settings. Start out at F/8 and 1/200th of a second. Keep playing with the adjusting of these settings till you like what you are getting.

These were my final settings for this image;
Canon EOS 40D / 400.0mm / f/7.1 (1/160) ISO 100
(Even with a 400mm lens this is still cropped)

2+ weeks ago I took my Photo group to "Wings of Wonder," Oregon’s largest exotic and native butterfly exhibit and on site rearing lab.

They welcome visitors to celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature. Their exhibit highlights the beauty and fanciful flights of both North American and exotic imported butterflies. They present nature and its interdependency through both exhibit observation and classroom education.

Wings of Wonder
5978 Willamette Ferry St
Independence, OR 97351
Phone: 503-838-0976

http://www.wingsofwonder.us

Wow very nice! I can just about touch it!

HE Hee! We have been riding them out here for years!
Pretty exciting stuff! Hope you were ok?

Well then we are at least both still on the BEST coast!

GREAT Image. I haven't been to the falls area since they were frozen a few years ago.

Hey Squirl, I didn't realize you were here in Oregon too.
I just found out Bob is also. Small world.
I'm in Tigard Or.
Randy