This picture was taken with a Fuji S4000 using a 720 zoom lens with aperature set at 8.0, ISO at 400, using a tripod. also using a flash of course.

Thank you for your nice words of input. I thought the composition of the first one was the best. I did see the second rainbow. It was much better in person (the second rainbow).

I think the first picture is nice but I feel the sun takes attention away from the subject. I think the subject should fill the frame more-like you have done in the second pic.I agree with you about hiding the sun behind the girl. If you want to back light the boy with the sun in the first picture, maybe you could wait for the sun to drop lower and place it behind a low branch and have the subject close to the branch. Just a thought, I don't know if the sun going down would cooperate or not. Good luck!

I have been out of photography for over 15 years. My current camera is a Kodak sure shot digital HDvideo5x. I grew up on SLR's and not having a view finder still drives me crazy. My brother has purchased through his companies purchasing power program a camera for his fiancee and myself. He bought one for me because I love photography and because I could teach his fiance how to use it. I will be getting a Fuji s4000. It has a great zoom which I plan on using for animal shots. But I know I will be asking a lot of questions on this site. I have really enjoyed reading questions and looking at photos. I have replied to several photos and I actually got enough nerve to post some pictures. Thanks for this site. I am working on how to use it so I can get all of its benefits.

I would bring a notebook and pen with me. Bring your camera and lens and manual. Start at the beginning and practice the different settings and shots. Record the settings of the camera so you know what you did later on. You can do this just a little at a time so it is not overwhelming. Slowly go through the whole manual and take a photo using every single setting and mode. Practice with aperature priority, and shutter priority, putting the camera on manual. If you write down what you did, you will be able to recreate a great shot. Of course, this is just til all of this becomes second nature to you. Good luck! I am getting a new camera soon and will be in the same place you are, so wish me luck too.

Beautiful shot and what a great suprise!

I vote for number 1.

These came up in reverse order of what I considered best to worst. The best came up first. I used computer settings to edit brightness and contrast on some photos.

I haven't been doing much photograpy lately. These photos are over a year old taken with a Kodak easy share digital camera. I would like to get opinions on the compostions of them. I am in the process of obtaining a Fujis4000 digital camera. As soon as it arrives I will be posting more pictures and asking LOTS of advice and recommedations on things. I have enjoyed reading and looking at the pictures on this site and plan to keep on doing so. I will now try and upload some photos. I had a friend do this upload , i hope I did not send a duplicate. Thank you/

rainbow 1


rainbow 2


rainbow 3

Just on personal perference I like the 3rd photograph the best. I was reading the replies and I agree that some color of green in place of the black might look very nice.

You could try a slower shutter speed,especially on the middle one. It could give a feel of movement to the water. I like trying to "blur" the water on waterfalls and quickly moving streams. The only way I know how to do that is to slow the shutter speed.

I love these pictures with the rainbows. I always love thunderstorms with the chance of following rainbows but I would never have thought to make my own rainbows. Cool idea!

The color of hydrangeas depends on the acidity of the soil. You can get the color to change by changing the acidity. Sorry but I don't know how. Your neighbohood nursery would be able to tell you.