Jim, I assume you can take a decent picture, and I'll also assume that you can do so with whatever you shoot with. You apparently missed that point.

With a pinhole camera before post processing on a computer existed, one had to pay more attention to framing and lighting. Indeed, this was also true when I shot on expensive film. Today we are spoiled to be able to shoot endlessly, hoping to accidentally snag a few keepers.

I challenge anyone to shoot with a homemade pinhole camera, process the "negative" (a sheet of photographic paper) in a darkroom, then use it to make a print. Then you might know what photography is all about.

Buy a point & shoot or buy a DSLR. It doesn't matter; neither will make a photographer

Yes, a pinhole. I once made one from a round Quaker Oatmeal container, foil, and electrical tape. I shot a picture of a tractor on thin paper, then after I processed it I placed it face down on another sheet under an enlarger, using it as a negative. Wish I still had that print. The point here is that it is not the equipment that makes the photographer. Mr. Adams seems to have known that when he made that statement, yet there are some here who arrogantly and FOOLISHLY argue that a good picture cannot be shot without some expensive, top-of-the-line DSLR.

A photographer is a photographer regardless of what equipment he or she has at hand. To me, having an eye for a shot is what defines a photographer - not how expensive the equipment, or whether the lenses interchange or the camera has a mirror, and I beg anyone to disagree. Many point & shoot cameras today outperform DSLRs of a few years ago. I will now defer to the master:

"Knowing what I know now, any photographer worth his salt could make some beautiful things with pinhole cameras."
-Ansel Adams

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/ansel/sfeature/sf_packing.html

Welcome, and nice shot!

Welcome, Winterhawk. Indeed, there is a lot of good information here. I look forward to the email every morning with a list of new topics, and I usually get a chuckle from one of the dumb jokes.

Keep in mind that as in life, here there are all sorts. A few members are better than anyone else, some know EVERYTHING (and aren't afraid to tell you so,) some think that because they took a class or two in photography or fine arts they are better than Ansel Adams, and others seem bothered by those who are here to learn a thing or two or to offer a humble opinion. You'll learn who they are soon enough, and don't take it personally when they attack you. Despite them, this is a great site with mostly decent people.

Very nice photos, Fuzzy. I've seen p&s cameras on ebay that have been converted to IR with a replacement sensor. In fact - curious - I just checked and there are a couple, including a 13mp Nikon CoolPix.

My son's cell phone has an IR camera built in.

Is it possible that IR is becoming more popular? I've always loved landscapes in IR.

Great photos indeed. I was privileged in high school to go to the local community college and see an exhibit of his work. Imagine what he could have done with modern resources to enhance his natural, God-given talent.

Be careful what you say. Some of the elite SOBs here think that a good photo cannot be taken without the most expensive equipment out there. Never mind that even a p&s takes higher-quality images than the equipment Ansel Adams shot with.

Darkroom - your attitude sucks (I'm referring to this post and earlier ones.) They say the guy who brags the most about having a large penis actually has a small one, so may I apply that logic and say that a guy who hollers the most about no talent has neither that nor a penis? You and a few other regulars here on the Hog really sully up the place.

I've noticed that too, but it is a useful starting point. I also question its recommendations and results. Just today I learned that dpreview also has a comparison feature: http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras

Not everything is black & white, Jerry (notice the cleverly veiled association there with photography?)

Adorama has a manufacturer-refurbished D7000 body on ebay's daily deals today for $599.99, with free shipping and 90-day Nikon warranty. Item #390613745443 (just paste that number into the search window to find it.)

Look at a side-by-side comparison on snapsort at http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon_D7000-vs-Nikon_D90.

You can decide which attributes are important. A big one for me is weather sealing on the D7000.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: (forgot where to direct the thumbs up.) Well said, CurreyPhoto! I might add that some p&s cameras even have sensors designed for DSLRs, so they can produce excellent photos as long as the most important element - the one behind the camera - knows how to use it.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: