If he is, I hope he does not come to a conclusion based on only Ugly Hedgehog answers.

Here is one example of what the Z8 on the autofocus mode of auto can do.

(Download)

As a wildlife photographer one of my greatest assets is how quick I am to respond and my unending patience. I believe these two things are needed to get good wildlife shots. I'm always looking for that defining moment. My camera is correctly set for the light, my speed is generally at minimum 1500 but most often at 2500 or 3200, depending on the shot. I'll take a high ISO setting over a blurred shot any day. I set my focus on the subject. I never take my eyes off the subject and do not engage in conversation with others that might be around me. I anticipate what the animal might do next based on my past knowledge. Wildlife photography can be very difficult and takes a lot of time to learn. Continue to shoot and correct any past mistakes and you could be rewarded with the shots you desire. I will say that some people will never be able to be a competent wildlife action photographer as their reflexes are simply too slow.

Yes, and he also shot with a Polaroid camera and was a consultant for Polaroid.

It sounds to me that you have a long road to travel prior to reaching your goal. Goals are good to have. But in order to reach them one has to study, learn, absorb information, and grow in their chosen endeavor. If you cannot even figure out how to make a print on your printer you are not working hard enough to reach your goal. Go to classes, shoot with professional photographers, read everything, talk with others and shoot, shoot, shoot. Then, when you have it "all down" you can become a professional photographer. I don't mean to be harsh, but this is reality. Just knowing how to work a camera does not make someone a professional photographer.

The limit used to be 999 listings...not sure about that anymore. It's good to have a main category and then sub categories and then you don't have to scroll so far...so, Transportation>cars, or boats, etc.

If you take a shot with a camera it is a photograph, if you create an image on a computer it is graphic art, if you merge the two it is a composite, but it is only a photograph if the two merged images were both taken with a camera, otherwise it is graphic art. I would say graphic art does not belong on a photography forum but a composite of two images taken with a camera would belong on a photography forum. But things are changing in the photo world...

Ten years or so ago in South Africa I headed to a shoot and when I arrived I found that I had no battery in the camera, luckily my friend used the same type of battery and loaned me one. Last August in Kenya we headed to Amboseli NP and when I picked up my Z9 I had no battery cover and no battery in the camera, but luckily I had a spare battery. So I improvised and asked the driver if he had electrical tape and he did. It worked very well, I just had to remember to check that the battery was still in place. My cameras are set to tell me if there is no card.

There are many ways these days to process and search images. However, LrC (this is the desktop version) remains #1 in the marketplace for a reason. With Adobe LrC you get several programs in one, you can arrange and mark images in many ways (Library Module), process images (Develop Module), create a book (Book Module), create a slideshow (Slideshow Module), print an image (Print Module) and two modules I don't use, the Web Module and the Map Module.

Others have given you a background of how the software works. I've used the program, and many others, for over 10 years now. I cannot image using any other software that would give me the same degree of flexibility. For example, I import an image to LrC (think "link" to the program), process it, send from within the program to Topaz DeNoise, save that changed image, it goes automatically back to LrC, then I send it to PS to do something to it, save it and it goes automatically back to LrC. I can do this with multiple programs, with the changed image always saved as new image. In the end, I can export it for any use from the Export box or print it from the Print Module. The original image in LrC is never touched, any edits made in that program are layered over and that is what you see on the screen as you edit.

I recommend if you do get the software that you read what Adobe puts on online regarding the Library Module, that is the Module that seems to confuse most people. That is also where you will work, most often, when importing and exporting.

There are, of course, many other great software programs today.

I have it and have used it on occasion. It has hundreds of filters, some quite unique (or slightly crazy). It is updated with new filters often and does that when you open the software. It really depends on what you want to do. The program will do things you cannot do in PS or LrC. If you just want borders I'd recommend you try PhotoScape X, it is free. If you do purchase it then you have additional options. I use it all the time for borders. I process everything in LrC, use PS as needed, use Topaz for impressionist work.

Here are a couple of shots with borders and work done in Topaz.

Yes, iPhone and Snapseed, that's it.

When killing time it's fun to use the iPhone and Snapseed to create artwork.

Stopping for a cup of java.


Visiting a harbor in Sitka, Alaska.


Taking a walk in Sitka.


In the airport between flights.

Pics from various places. When I'm simply waiting for something or killing time I use my cell phone and Snapseed. The dock pic and boat scene are from an Alaska trip. The others are just from around town. I love Snapseed, so much fun to use.

If you have downsized an original, say 1200 pixels across, then used that downsized image to post and clicked on post original then only that downsized image would show, so the same size image. In order for that box to be useful in viewing a larger image one would need to load the larger image, click the box, and then let the program downsize. Just an FYI.

NO, clicked on 7 and sent it in.