I'm curious Ward5311,why do you think I'm playing a game?

It's just my opinion, but since I know my brother is not known for his reading ability, I have my doubts as to his reading it. As I said before, there is too much disfunctional family history, and I've tried passing on what I know, but he feels that just because you're a salesman in a camera store, that you must be a pro, therefore you probably know more that his sister. I pretty much have given up on "my opinion" and just keep repeating for him to get out there and shoot, shoot ,and bracket shoot to see what happens when you do this or that. I was just hoping with all the advice available from all of you, that someone might have an idea that I could pass on where the light bulb goe's on. I'm beginning to agree with those of you that were saying he's hard headed! But I really do appreciate all the input" I still enjoy my endevor's at photography, and have learned a thing or two from Hedgehog in the last year!

Thanks to all for your advice. My brother isn't so much set in his ways as he is so unsure of himself that he'll ask 20different people the same question, get 20 different answers, and doesn't know which one to go with. I've told him to try all 20, and see which one works best for him. He doesn't know how to keep it simple! Thanks again for all your suggestions! By the way, he already owns Understanding exposure.

He lives in Jackson Hole Wyoming, so Elk, Deer, Moose, and Buffalo are not a problem. He has a Nikon camera,(I'm not sure which model). He also has a Sigma 150mm to 500mm with image stabilizer. He also has a 70mm to 200mm Tamron with no image stabilizer, and a tripod.
He seems to be having problems understanding how Depth of field, Fstop's, etc work together, he's on the verge of buying a new lens so he can get better depth of field. He also believes he can hand hold the long lenses more steady with an image stabilizer, than he can by putting them on a tripod without the stabilizer, (someones advice),
Too much history within family and he won't listen! Please help!

Hi JacLee, No, my explosion happened where I live now in Idaho, Coeur d' Alene(pronounced Core-duh-lane)Although, I can now say I was a resident of Washington at one time, I spent 6 month's in Seattles Haborview Burn Center!When I was coming out of the coma, I remember looking out the window, and for the longest time I was sure I was in Japan! Please! Don't take the travel agency I did to get to Japan! My memory isn't so great any more either, but I don't know how much is just getting older,and how much is med's Hopefully I will post some photo's soon. Our weather hasn't been too great lately.

My thanks to SusieB721! I was feeling kinda blue this morning, but after reading about all of you, I feel like I made a bunch of new friends! And I didn't even have to pick and choose to determine who I might have something in common with! That was already put in place for me! I've found myself chuckling, and smiling as I've been reading, and getting to know a little bit about all of you! All of you seem like a pretty good bunch of people! You made my day better anyway! Thanks!

Hi This is Brandy in Idaho. I've never learned how to do an avatar, I'm brand new to computers, and self taught to boot, so I've got 2 strikes against me! I've done 35mm for several years as a hobby, and am learning all over now in the digital world. Sometimes I think it would be easier to learn from scratch, than to unlearn. Any way, I'm 56, and a young 56 I might add. I have 2 sons, Shiloh and Sam that both live in Alaska, a brother that lives in Wyoming, and a sister and my Father both living in California. Back in 2002, I was in a natural gas explosion that burned me on 70% of my body,and I had 3 toes amputated. Because of the scarring on my legs from grafting, that now looks like netting, I tell people that it came out that way because I'm a sugar cured ham! I don't jump in too often, but these people have always been there whenever anyone has had a question, and always been cheerful while at it. I wish we could all meet someday! I guess I can't complain though, because 30 years ago, we wouldn't have even known any of us existed!

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed reading every one's perspective. I guess what I've come away with, is this, the way I judge if a movie is good,is if it makes me laugh, or cry,makes me happy or sad,or angry, if it makes me feel something strongly, then it's good. It doesn't matter if it has a G, or R rating, or what genre it is. A good photograph to me ,has to do the same thing. It has to reach out and touch me somehow~

The name of the bar is the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, and I don't know if this is a good thing or not, but there is a section of one of the bars in there that has a whole bunch of names, and mine is one of the 4 center ones! Stop, you're making me homesick!

When Yellowstone burned up in I think it was 87, or 88, the following spring, the undergrowth was so lush,and greener than I had ever seen it. And it was all due to the fires! It was a beautiful time for especially macro photography! the contrast of the lush undergrowth, with the blackened skeletons of the trees was something else. I saw many beautiful photographs come out that year in the Park!

Jokecache1, I understand totally what you mean, and even in the example you give of your avatar, there is a clearing that you can see out of.I was humorously distorting, but there really is one direction from where I live that is so densely
covered with lodge-pole pines that the ground is bare underneath because no sunlight can get there. I use to live in Jackson Hole Wyoming, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in the world! You could almost turn your camera 360 degree's and take a picture any time you want! Yet there were times you might find me at the dump taking photo's!

architect, I'm glad you went to the article and found it as interesting as I did. I'm much better at composing a photograph, than I am at expressing my thoughts, and idea's in writing! Beyond learning some basic rules of thumb when it comes to composition, and learning the mechanics of how a camera works, all the rest is art. I think all art is very personal, and has to touch your heart in one way or another. There is so much in the world that there is something out there for every one to see, and have touch your heart, it's why I love photography!

English Wolf, are you talking about the woman on the cover of NatGeo? If you are, you're right. She looks like she's had a hard life. the follow up story saddened me.

I wonder if there has ever been a contest where you had to take a picture of the ugliest thing you could consider, yet have it come across as something other than just ugly?

I guess I'll just fire my PR guy! I Think we all got into photography for the same reason, we could see beauty in so much, and in so many way's. Why would someone want to take a photo of a prostitute with knife scars on her arms, lighting up a joint? Because there is a story that can be told without the spoken word.It's powerful!