Thanks all for the warm welcomes, im off to camp for about 3 to 4 weeks and will try to work on my photography while i'm there. When i get back I'll post a few more pics and see if i have improved any :)

TY all for your input, it is all very helpful for me to develop into a better photographer. And everyones answers have really helped. Im back to work for 3 or 4 weeks but will post more when i get back. and see how im doing :)

Ty all very much, it is such a massive learning curve and at most times i think im completley lost. With all the different settings and such

Ty very much, first time using photoshop

Thats where the issue is i'm 6 to 7 hrs away from any camera stores so can't try any of them out. I have to usually purchase things online since im lucky if i get to the city 1 or 2 times a year. I work alot of hrs and days straight so when i do get days off i dont want to waste them heading to the city :(


Is this the lens that is a good recommendation?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM Telephoto Z

Oooops srry cost is not really an issue since i work way up in northern alberta in the oilsands. I just would like to be able to keep up with some fast moving obects like birds skimmin across a lake, dog agility which happens alot indoors. Long distance for all the bears, grizzlies rare birds Mountain goats, Moose and all the varied wild life up here. Some of which if i got to close would make me into a afternoon snack :) My biggest issue is there are no camera stores where i live, the nearest ones are 6 to 7 hrs away so i can't really try any out before i purchase them. I uusually have to purchase online since i work alot of hours. and tend to only get to the city maybe 1 to 2 times a year.

Hello all and ty very much for all your replies, Here is some pics of the area we live in. And if i get really lucky i might get some shots of the aurora borealis since i live way up north. ill have to wait for the winter to come since that is when it is best seen here.

Mr happy 10ft from me


An old mission from the first settlers here


Sunset on the lake with my wife

Ty very much for your replies, i still have so much to learn :)

I recently got into photography about 3 months ago, when i purchased a T2I which was in my price range. It came with a carrying bag 2 batteries and 2 sim cards and one stock lens a EFS 18-55. Im really not sure what items I should purchase next (Essential items that is) I would like to purchase a zoom lens but have no idea what would be a good choice. I take lots of outdoor shots of nature, my dog competing in agility and pretty much anything that takes my fancy. I never really realized what i was truly missing in nature and my surrounding life until i got into photography and now see the world in a very beautiful new light. Things i took for granted or never looked at before suddenly have me photographing them. and admiring them and wondering how i missed it all before the camera. I so wish i had started this many years ago.

Bought my first camera 3 months ago a T2I Not sure really how my results are coming along. Any criticism greatly accepted and any helpful tips as well :) tend to take pics in AV and M with a touch of TV

Black and white of my puppy


First sunset


Having trouble with motion shots, dont have a zoom lens yet

He is a chinese crested true hairless. Only grows hair on his head, tail and feet. Rest is skin :) Ill post some more pics of him tonight in the forums

It is in Alberta quite aways up north in the oil sands

Heritage tree with wife

Yeah just started about 3 months ago when i bought the new camera. Ty for very much for your reply and lac La Biche like Bisch not the other way LOL

Hi all
I,m just starting out in photography, and for Christmas I bought myself a Canon T2I and am very happy with it. I recently moved up north to a place called Lac La Biche and have started really getting into taking Pics. I have so much to learn still and very much enjoy reading the forums here. I would really love to get a zoom lens but am unsure what is a fairly good one without being to unreal in price. Here is 3 pictures i have taken one of which i have tried my hand at photoshop. Nice to meet everyone and any critisim is muchly apprieated.

My puppy trying to be a kitty


Wife In the forest


My car under a 1904 Heritage tree (trying hand at photoshop)Tree and car are from a picture i took, then turned into black and white but left tree foilage in color then added lightning