I was mesmerized... truly....that was amazing

Who knows...maybe the pictures we take today will be set to beautiful music in the future

As for having "more camera than you need"....if you enjoy photography enough (and it sounds like you do), you will come to a point when you look at other people's photos and ask yourself "how did they do that?".

That's when you're going to be glad you bought "more than you need". Have fun learning :)

Once I started using RAW I rarely went back to jpg. But there are two situations where I still use it.

Sometimes I just like the challenge of trying to get the picture right in camera. Sure I can do that with RAW, but the more limited options in jpg force me to minimize the post processing.

jpg is much better for some time lapse....files write quicker....and they are much smaller to save (kind of a big deal when you are shooting hundreds of time lapse stills)

I am a firm believer in RAW.... but can understand the time and need for jpgs (occasionally)

Very nice shot. Like the tone and the Bokeh. Also like the light in the background...not only does it separate the weeds from the background......it also adds to the "story".

Weed according to Webster's "a plant that is not valued where it is growing" So technically a rose in a potato patch could be a weed.

They do look like dandelions....I'm Italian....my great grandparent would pick the dandelions and make soup with them (or so I was told) :)

Sorry....off topic. Nice shot!

That was mind blowing....I was on my way to pickup my prescriptions at Walgreens this morning...not sure if I want to continue to do business with a potential "Swiss" pharmacy.

Thanks for the link. VERY informative

Aperture Priority mode 95% of the time sounds about right.... and 5% manual. I have a Rebel T3I too...I used to fear manual mode... but then I realized I could see approx what the photo would look like by checking the LCD screen while I fiddled with the settings.

Getting the "nifty fifty" depends on your financial situation.... but at $100 it's the least expensive "bang for the buck" lens you can own. The kit lens and the 75-300 lenses are fine...but if you want a razor sharp picture (especially indoors in low light)...it's hard to beat the 50MM F1.8.

You may outgrow your current two lenses.....but the 50mm will always have a place in your kit bag.

Just my two cents worth

If it's a really hot day (90+ with humidity)....that's not good for the camera....plus you can almost guarantee there will be an afternoon thunderstorm.

Most of your Disney experience will be waiting in long lines....so you can put down your camera bag from time to time to rest. Just keep a close watch on it.

I feel your pain.... I had a stroke a year ago and couldn't even lift my arm up to the dinner table. With about 8 weeks of rehab I am fine now.... but your situation requires rest and recovery.

I agree with Lighthouse..great time to work on your "other photography skills". I spent a lot of time with Google street view mapping out all the places I was going to photo when I was better. Bought a new camera and memorized the manual. Spent hour after hour on Youtube learning new photography techniques.

Good luck with your recovery.

I know (now) there is a huge difference between a state park and a national one. I'm basically a "city boy" but have been fortunate to live next to a state park for the past ten years since I got married.

I take full advantage of my state park....I frequently ride my mountain bike in....taking my collapsible fishing rod and telephoto lens. It's a beautiful place that has helped lower my blood pressure. My Wife is understanding enough to let me roam about for the whole day.

But being an ignorant city boy I always figured a park is a park....trees....creatures...birds... ponds etc. I grew up in a bad neighborhood that had no parks or trees. And I fully admit I was very very wrong.

My family is from the Bar Harbor area (even more reason to feel ashamed) There's a town in Maine named after them and a cemetery bearing their name as well.

Beautiful picture btw.

I have to hang my head in shame....I've lived in Boston for 56 years and have never been to see any of these wonderful places. I've been "Googling" everybody's recommendations and I am astonished by what I've seen.

My biggest shame is not having seen Acadia...I live right next to a state park...so I always thought meh....long ride to see what's already in my back yard.

Comparing Acadia to my state park is like comparing Disneyland to the local fair.

I've been saving all these locations to Google maps so I can find the best route(s) to see them efficiently....although some of these are multiple days trips.
UHH has a great user community....and even though I didn't ask the initial question....I have certainly benefited from reading your recommendations. Thank You

Canon user. It's the artist not the paintbrush :)

I use Denoise all the time....especially photos from night shoots. Topaz adjust is a frequently used tool. If I had to take two plugins to a desert island....those would be the two.

The Nik suite is a great complimentary package....especially SilverEfex Pro for Black & White

I would also recommend checking out some tutorials on youtube.... I learned quite a bit about getting the maximum out of my software.

Have fun!

Charitable donation....that's a fantastic idea too

My father used to tell me....."anything you HAVE to do...is a job...no matter how much fun it is". I've been offered money to photo events (and I'm not that good)....but I never wanted to blur the line between my hobby and work. Photography=no pressure.
And as for doing favors for friends.... in my daytime role as "the computer guy" everybody wanted me to come to their house to fix their PC's....they would offer to "pay me" with dinner. Dinner usually wound up being pizza...which meant I would spend 4 hours (including travel) for half a $9 cheese pizza.
Don't get me wrong....I like to help out people....and I certainly love pizza.....but when you work a 40 hour day job (and about 10-15 hours a week at night) and are eating pizza for dinner 5 days a week it starts to wear you down.
I think bartering for a golf umbrella was the perfect solution. Do a good job...have a good time.

Both my Uncles served in Vietnam during the late 60's. One in the army, one in the air force. When I was a kid I tried to imagine what it must have been like over there. When you look at the squadron picture...its just a "bunch of young guys" thousands of miles away from home in a hostile environment.

And the casual reference to "after our base was attacked"..... I don't know how you guys slept at night.

I was shaking in my boots when I was approaching draft age...I would have done my duty...but I would have been scared to death. You're a braver man than I.

Cool shirt btw :)