Yea - to rent the photo-slide scanner the cost for 3 Full Scanning Days: $325.00
5 Full Scanning Days: $450.00. Dang, you can buy the Epson for $220 and scan all you want and then sell it for $100. And your not constrained by 3 or 5 days.

Ah Yes, good old PhotoPills. Great app, and it's just out of this world. Worth every penny. And all the tutorials are part of the app.

The ONLY time I use Auto mode is when I'm shooting street photography. The light changes - people move etc and I want to make sure I get a good exposure. Other than that I use manual mode. I want to be in control of the outcome, not let the camera be my brain.

If I want to control the DOF - is use aperture mode. If I want to stop the action I use shutter speed mode.
You have to be willing to use the mode based on the situation and what you are looking for.

Why limit yourself to auto mode.

Love your photo. How did you get that background?

I like the Lensbaby Velvet 56. I'm using an Olympus Micro 4/3rds camera. So the Velvet 56 works well. It give me nice soft focus all around the subject. The SOL is a good starter lens. It allows you to set the focus point where you want it and with the BOKEH blades you can have some fun.

Here is a link that might help.
https://visualwilderness.com/composition-creativity/creative-flower-photography-lensbaby-sol

Also check out Anne Belmont she is a Lensbaby expert if ever there was one. -
https://www.annebelmontphotography.com/

If you go with any of the Lensbaby Sweet or Edge optics you will have to get the Lensbaby Composer Pro

Lensbaby's are a lot of fun. They can produce some really nice flower photography. But the softness it's not for everyone.

Thank you for posting this information. I had no idea about Intimate Landscape Photography. Opens up a whole new way of looking at "landscape" photography. Almost like macro - but on a larger scale. I'm just so happy you gave such great resources.

I think if you check your camera manual, it says to format the card in the camera. When I download photos to my computer I put the card back in my camera and format it again. Just to make sure the card starts fresh.
Works for me.

If you use Long Exposure noise reduction that is going to double your exposure time. If you have a 30" exposure it will take 60" to complete the shot.

With today's noise reduction software there is really not need to use LENR. You do want to set your High ISO noise reduction to Standard or Normal - what ever your camera is calling it.

Use a Wide Angle lens - f/2.8 if it has it. Use the ISO setting to get the best exposure. If you use to long a shutter speed your going to have start trails. Unless that is what your want. After the shot, check your histogram.

Don't forget to turn off your Auto Focus.

Go to PhotoPills.com and check out their APP and both, PDF and Video guides. Best stuff around.
Have fun.

Yea - I just got an email from them and EVERYTHING is 50% off. Go for it

I have used Shutterfly and am very happy with the quality. Many times you can find a special and save $$$.

Now that makes sense. And I bet both ends of the chat are typing English :-).

I once attended an Oracle computer class. One of my class mates was Indian. A little hard to understand at first. But I tell you what, he was a wisbang when it came to computers.

Sorry I clicked the Add Attachment button twice.

In regards to using a teleconverter on a lens. I have an Olympus E-M1-MK II. For this image I was using the Olympus M Zuinko Digital ED 40-150 mm f/2.8 Pro Zoom lens with a 2X Teleconverter. This Teleconverter is designed for the 40-150 lens. It was shot at f/8 - 1/500 sec, ISO 400 with the focal length being 300mm.
Granted you loose f/stops with a teleconverter but if the teleconverter is designed for the lens it works.
By the way, this shot was taken out of a car window while the vehicle was slowly moving. It was a quick glance, oh bug, point- shoot. I was very pleased and surprised the way the shot came out. I must have been lucky to get the focal point right on the bug. Just my 2 cents.

(Download)

Yes he did. He had the luxury of having a dark room. I never did, so I had to send them to a lab or take them to the drug store. And today there are many post processing programs that do the same thing he did back then. Today we use many of his same techniques; doge and burn etc. So what's the beef here. Go out make some photos and come home and process them. Have fun. Be creative.

Go out to the web. Look up https://laurashoe.com/ She has great Lightroom training. And the price is not bad.
It's one step at a time approach.
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Your right, but this guy just doesn't get it, and most likely never will.