Love the A1!!! Half expect them to start marching to the tune of "March of the Toy Soldiers"!!! :D

I'm surprised that a Walmart person didn't stop you from photographying. I've tried at a local mall and the guards are on top of you to stop "toot sweet".

Katie

Thanks to all for the congrats.

We are such a great bunch of supporters for one another, eh??? :D

Katie

Blake:

Thanks!!!

Now get tongue outta cheek afore you choke. :D

I'm about 20 miles west of Albany. Aren't you near Bath. I worked weekdays in Bath many, many moons ago installing a state computer system. If only I was "into" photography back then. All those missed photo ops!!!

Katie

Tainkc:

Sssshhhhh....I keep putting that post office photo behind the real bad guys' photos. :D

Katie

LOL!!! Thanks so much.

Tabletop book "Front Porch Critters" will be out this fall. Joking!!! :D

Katie

Sudzmom:

The Times Union link is: http://timesunion.mycapture.com/mycapture/photos/index.aspx

Click, click, click....submit!!!

Good luck. :)

Katie

Every Wednesday our Albany NY Times Union prints a few reader submitted photos. I was notified last week that one of my recent web submissions was selected to be printed on "a Wednesday in the future".

The future was today. :D

Katie

Fudge!!! Where was this coupon when I got my subscription a few months ago???

I believe when in public there is no expectation of privacy.

That said, I think I would be very careful when trying to be rational with someone who is being obnoxious.

I think a simple "No, I didn't take your picture" and going in to your house might have been the smartest thing to do.

JMHO, of course.

Katie

Robin:

Yeppers!!! Go for it. I got interested in photography with the shot below done at a family reunion with an inexpensive point and shoot. 5 or 6 generations in one shot. It was a fortuitous keeper.

You have 2 months to brush up on your technique. Familiarize yourself with the park setting. Little kids and playground equipment??? Practice action shots and how to freeze action. Try the SLR camera simulator http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator/ to practice capturing a shot using variable lighting conditions, aperture/shutter speed settings, ISO, etc.

"People", I think, is your saving grace word. Rather than individual shots, try for multiple faces in your shots. Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot. Keep your finger on the trigger. Use a tripod. The more you shoot....and pay attention to your settings....the better the odds are that you are going to get some great shots. Check your EXIF data to see what settings were the best for the day/lighting, etc. on your "keepers". That will help "learn ya".

Do your PP work, resize to 4x6 and 5x7 & provide the "client" with a disc of the images that s/he can then print out at THEIR convenience and cost.

Make sure the "client" understands that you ARE NOT a professional photographer, you WILL NOT be providing a profession photographer product but a good product and that you WILL NOT be providing a finished paper product. And get a signed statement to that effect. CYA!!!

Meet with your "client" now to discuss all of the above. When you lay out in black-and-white what you feel your limitations are, the "client" might just pay a lot for a professional.

I hope not. It sounds like a challenge and a great opportunity.

In the meantime, practice, practice, practice.

Free download good thru Sunday, March 11th.

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I'm lucky enough to have a Scene Mode on my GE X500 bridge camera called Glass Mode is described as "for objects behind transparent glass". Works pretty darn well, too. :D

Katie

Panoramas, waterfalls, landscapes, gardens, parks, forests, beaches, lakes, auto junkyards, museums, crowds of people, transportation (planes, boats, cars, trains....), bridges, mountains, monuments, animals, zoos, children, old couples

Gotta make a list!!! :D

Katie Mae

I did the same for Elements 9. I asked for recommended titles and The Missing Manual was the overall winner.

You might like to visit Elements Village which is an online community for Elements users: http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/index.php

There is also an Adobe Elements site: http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/learningcenter/?gclid=CP7kuY7Xw64CFQRN4AodZle6Tg

The site offers tutorials, forums, etc. There is also a magazine for $59/year. I gulped at the price but subscribed and it is absolutely worth it. Back issues of the magazine are available for download with a paid subscription.

There is a myriad of free downloads.

Both sites and Elements user's heaven-on-earth!!!

Have fun. :)

Katie

Robin:

I don't know your age but here in NY a lot of colleges will let you audit courses for free if over the age of 60.

I am currently taking "Introduction to Digital Photography" at a community college. I get to take quizzes, tests, submit photographic projects. My only cost was the textbook ($35). I am taking it online which is even "more better" for me. I get super software discounts. The only drawback? No official transcript! And I don't care.

The course description:

- ARTS 133 - Intro to Digital Photography
This course is a hands-on introduction to digital photography grounded in the historical, conceptual, and practical developments in the field of photography. Students will acquire experience in the use of computers, peripheral hardware, and image processing software to produce digitally enhanced photographs. The technical and aesthetic possibilities of digital photography will be examined through a series of sequential assignments. Images and ideas will be developed through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, supervised classwork, and critiques. It is expected that students will spend additional time outside of class completing course assignments. A digital camera is required; the purchase of image editing software for home use is highly recommended.

Here's hoping you're old enough! :D

Katie