Hi Phishkillr, Welcome. I just joined yesterday and am hoping to learn a lot from this forum as well. I got my first dslr last March. It was overwhelming at first. I went online and did a lot of research on how to use a dslr. I also researched specific topics. For example, I would research 'using aperture'. I would read articles written by many different people, practice on my camera, until it started making sense. And I still am trying to learn what all the functions mean and do. Photography books and magazines are also great resources. Enjoy using your new camera.

Thank you. Now it is so foggy out, it is hard to believe I saw a beautiful sunrise earlier this morning.

Very nice. Wish I could get pictures of birds to turn out like this.

I happened to glance out the window earlier this morning, saw a beautiful sunrise, grabbed my camera, went outside, and got this picture before the colors started to fade away.

Sunrise 2011, 11-25

Thank you, CJ

A few of my butterfly pictures taken at Clemens Gardens, St. Cloud MN in October of 2011.

Eastern Comma Butterfly


Milbert's Tortoiseshell


Monarch


Orange Sulphur


Painted Lady


Sachem

Hi everyone. I've been following this site for the last two weeks. I purchased a sony a33 after owning 3 sony point and shoots (2 of them ultra zooms). I love going out and taking pictures and have learned a lot about photography but need to learn so much more to improve my pictures. I'm hoping I can get that help here. I have seen so many great photos from many of you already. I especially like taking nature pictures. The first is a picture I took shortly after getting my first digital camera in 2006.