Members of this country died so that I could worship without fear...I intend to use it. I'm so glad that everyone who has posted feels that freedom! I really love this forum and value everyone's input! Thank you for sharing!

[/quote] Again, I really appreciate this discussion. I am a pastor---with a passion for God, and for photography. A challenge I'm dealing with is to keep those passions in the right priority! A constant prayer of mine is to use photography and my passion for it for God's purpose. Any thoughts on this would be most appreciated![/quote]

Pastor, I have the same dream...to glorify and magnify Him in everything I do. I get into trouble when I try to express my passion for the Lord and what He's done for me verbally...but in a photograph - I try to get out of the way and let God's creation speak for itself. People in general get so "busy" - they fail to stop and realize that God paints His love for us across the heavens and the earth. My motivation is the hold up a "post card from God" that brings attention to His enduring love for us each and every day. What's conveyed is simple - "I was thinking of you and here's a little reminder -a simple glimpse of what I've gone to prepare for you". Everyone keep a look out for those "God Sightings" - trust me when I say...you will NOT be disappointed!

Roger, God's wonderful creation is my motivation for picking up a camera. You've reminded me of a verse from the book of Romans that states, "for even the natural man is without excuse for all of creation echos the presence of His glory". I see that presence every day. I truly love the essence and the remembrance you've captured of Christ in the first picture . It was the first thing to enter my mind. Thank you. You provided me with what I call a "God Sighting". Love your pictures - keep posting them please!

GOOD FOR YOU! Can you post it? I love that flower!

A little levels for contrast and some sharpening. Maybe a little heavier than it should be, but it was a low res image :oops:[/quote]

Goodness yes! Horrible picture quality - but they just reminded me of the state workers here in Tennessee....always on a coffee break. Better yet...they're studying to be supervisors! LOL!

Me too! Thanks! My grandmother always said, "God created you - just one of you...so be the best "you" - you can be!"

This is a very interesting thread! I'm a beginner. I've always tried to do what someone else didn't. My two cents (for what ever it's worth) is that no one will ever see my surroundings the exact way that I do. I guess that's what is so interesting about photography to me. It's nice that I can study some of the techniques that Ansel Adams used. But I can never be an Ansel Adams. I can only be me. Only I can bring my perspective to that frame. No one but me. I know that I'm just starting in this field...and maybe my take on it is flawed...but I don't intend to be an imitator - I want to be an innovator. I don't have great technique - nor equipment (I only have a Nikkor 18-55mm lens at present time). I'm learning to bring to my perspective as a captured moment in time. I see and hear a lot about the technical aspects of a photo - how to manipulate a shot to look this way or that way. I don't have any software as of yet to perform any post production (so excited to be buying Light Room3 at the end of the week). I just try and reveal moments in time and space as I see them, in my own style, in my own way. From everything I've read thus far, it seems that the most successful (and sought out) photographers are those that transcend the technical aspects of the genre and become artists with a style all their own. But I'm a beginner as I said so given my total lack of experience - my opinion is just that, opinion. I like to look at other photographers work as it aids me in developing my own unique style. Okay. Now I feel like I'm breaking out in a chorus of "I just gotta be me". How crazy! I learn so much on this site and from all of you! Thanks so much!

Goverment Workers (LOL!) -Lousy shot, needs to be sharper - but I confess I snapped it quickly becasue the "government workers" thing popped into my head! LOL!

So, I've been reading a lot about DOF and I took along my nephew and as it was 9-11, I decided on something patriotic. Please be aware that this photo hasn't been through post production (still deciding on the program- leaning toward Light Room). This was taken with a Nikon 3100 Lens: Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm 5-5.6 G - 100 ISO, A- F 5.6.(I think). I'm a newbie and still learning. Could I get some feed back? Any hints on what to do post production?

I was thinking the same thing! The kids are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

ROTFL!!!! Yes it would!

I was wondering, you know all those nice little bags that are used to absorb moisture that they place in medication? I've taken a few of them and place the in my camera bag in different locations. Do you think that might work in a cooler?

I just got a quote from State Farm for $5000 of replacement cost on my equipment. Obviously, I'm not a professional and don't have much invested. It's costing me $50 a year. They will take the serial numbers and have said that they will replace with LKQ (like kind and quality) - so if a lens is broken due to collision - aka I drop it, it's covered and they will replace it with the same lens -including the brand name (i.e. Nikkor). So if I drop my 55-200mm Nikon AF S G VRII- they replace it with that lens if it's available. If not, I can get a lens of comparable performance ( in other words - it's not listed by the cost but by the performance of the lens). If you are a pro - they also offer a named perils policy that looks pretty good. - A COOLER!! How incredibly smart! Thanks, WALMART here I come!

Tigerezz,

I am so sorry for your loss...check local pawn shops. Sometimes if you can prove the equipment is yours - they will ask for a police report and you can get the equipment. But I live in Tennessee. With the economic downturn (at least that's what they keep calling it) - many people are resorting to steal things that can be easily pawned or sold for instant cash. I will be praying that someone has an attack of conscience and your equipment is found. I'm new to all this so I'm also calling my agent to insure my equipment for replacement cost. Again, sorry for your loss...

OMG! THANK YOU! I can really see the difference! WOW! I'm a real "show me" kind of person...so this really helps me a lot. Thank you again Sugarpenny!!! Wow! Have to run right now - will catch you later this evening!

Thanks for the suggestion! I appreciate you sharing with me! I'll look through some of that set of photos. I know I have some with them looking at me. I just hate an obviously posed shot. Just a personal preference...regardless, I want to take good photos and that's a piece of advice I can use! Thanks again!