Hello! I am in need of a SLR camera to learn on. I cannot afford a $700 camera (YET), so if anyone has any SLR's that they don't use, affordable, and good for learning, please contact me. I am an aspiring pro-photographer, but I need practice practice practice. All I have is a Kodak EasyShare P&S, and my sweet dad is giving me another P&S this Christmas (2011) a Fujifilm 16MP touchscreen P&S, but I haven't used it yet. I am getting married in the next year and a half, and saving for that, and also have two children. We are also trying to move out of our neighborhood (away from the inlaws!) and get a little bit more house with bigger yard. I am an artist, and majored in visual arts in college, but not photography. After I had my second child, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, so my drawing and painting has become painful. I worked in the eye field as an optometrist's assistant for 5 years, and love it, but now I stay at home, and suffering with the Arthritis...I want to have my own business so I don't have to depend on my fiance for everything, and still be able to practice my artsy skills without so much pain. I am 27, and I know I can do this, I just need the proper equipment to practice, and take a few classes at the local college and with that, I hope to start a business! I just need a camera to get started learning, but cannot spend too much. Thanks for reading my story! I hope someone has a camera they don't need and can let go for cheap! I would be so thankful!

Thank you for your comment. I'm very much a rule breaker when it comes to cropping. I have some pictures where I cropped 1/2 the face off--to me, it's just a 'perspective' I like to give the viewer--to not always give them the full picture....give them something to think or wonder about. The funny thing is, a picture that I posted a couple of days ago, I didn't crop at all--and my subject was lost in the picture...so it seems I'm one extreme or the other.

Hi Susieb721,

I've been debating posting an avatar pic since I signed up. I spend the rest of my life with people reacting to how I look, and in part of my world it is quite important, so it's nice to get away from it for a while. lol. If you lived in LA, you would understand even more than you probably do now. But here goes, just for you cause you seem so cool! :)

BTW, I'm coming here with questions on strange ailments soon with all of the medical experience and expertise here! lol I do have slice of medical related experience, but mine was in psychology. I have a BA in psych and used to be a residential counselor in psychiatric group homes. Until I donated my belongings to charity, hoped in my car, and moved 3,000 miles to join the circus, er, um, Hollywood. I have been pursuing a career in acting and also behind the camera as a director of photography, director, and producer. Which means also gaining experience as an assistant camera, grip, and gaffer. Mostly I have been building my cinematography side this past year, and shooting low budget pilots. A few years ago I actually went back to school for 2 AA's, one in cinema, one in television production. I shoot some headshots and catalog shoots on the side for extra cash, and shoot lots of pics for fun. I also do behind the scenes photography at times for low budget films. I love being on set in front or behind the camera. I have learned a lot, and I have a lot to learn, so it's an exciting place to be.
I've also worked for an airline, restaurants, sales, and little odd jobs here and there.

I'm new here, and looking forward to helping people on the site when I can, and learning from all the wisdom of those on the site! And enjoying all the great shots and personalities on here.

Ok, so picture time.... I might delete em soon, I still kinda like being anonymous. Muah ha ha.

The first pic is what I look like in the morning.

The second pic is what I look like when I'm doing my top secret super villain work. ;)

The 3rd pic is me at work. I was shooting a low budget pilot.

Actually all 3 are of me at work. lol crazy life

Enjoy! Have an awesome day!

Hi Susie

I am the Ugly half of the Tilde531 partnership.
Meeting the amazing Miss Tilde531, falling in love with her, now engaged to be married in the spring I started out as an Englishman from London and latterly a small town in the south of England called Hastings, famous in that in 1066 this nasty French people invaded England in 1066 and killed King Harold. No wonder we dislike them still!!

I have been a photographer for most of my life and still enjoy developing and printing photographs in a darkroom.!!!
I have seven daughters and two sons, one daughter passed away at age 14 (She was the apple of my eye and one son who was killed in Kuwait in the first desert storm.

My life now revolves around the greatest young lady ever , my sweethear Tilde531. The attached photo is of my daughter Penny.

I was born Ugly and as my mother once remarked "Your not ugly or pretty, your some where in the middle "Pretty Ugly"
I was going to have facial reconstruction, but my plastic surgeon sat in front of the fire, and melted.

Ian