I'm going to bite the bullet and buy a decent small camera. I have lugged around my heavy digital SLR equipment when I could have gotten by with something smaller. I've been researching here and on the Internet and bounce from one choice to another. I would like a decent zoom, good low light ability, no major focus issues etc. I guess I want what most want; a high quality full sized SLR but shrunk <lol>. I'd like to stay under $1,000 if I can. If any hogs have already been through this search (recently), let me know what you decided on and why. It would be much appreciated as I value the opinions of those in this group.

Welcome back. I've been through some battles of my own. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll be fine. Congratulations!

Nice capture. It made me think of a very prominent man on the National stage. I'd like to send him a bouquet but the message would be lost on him, I'm sure.

I ordered one about six months ago, installed it in my den, hooked it directly into the power flux port of my graphic nebulizer and what they say is true in regards to an increase in overall photon production. I couldn't be more pleased with this product. The only downside were the shipping costs.

I use the free version and it works well IF you don't rewrite a bunch of data over it before you use recuva.

Would be fun to watch but falls short of watching American football...for me anyway. But I was raised in an "American football family".

It's not the best camera angle. I saw other views from other angles and the ball crossed the plane of the goal line before the knee went down. It was a good call. The sample video in your link, is not the best video as it doesn't clearly show the ball. They showed many videos from various angles after it was declared a touchdown and I had no problem with the call.

I am not an Apple user but occasionally create unwanted duplicate photos on my PC. If I highlight a series of photographs that I intend to move, rename or for some other reason, happen to move the cursor off of the selected photo and inadvertently take my finger off the clicker, it automatically creates duplicates of all the highlighted photos, which I subsequently have to delete. This is more of a problem as I've gotten older and my hand is not as steady. Just a thought....

I've always liked this one which was taken along the coast in northern CA

(Download)

Double Wow. Great lens and nice capture.

PS to my last post: I tried leveling the photo and it looks good....so I don't disagree with what you feel looks better necessarily...only that I assumed it was sloped in real life or it would have probably been straightened. Only the photographer knows what slope the foreground had. I'm only bothered when the camera is obviously tilted when looking at the photo...such as an obviously tilted horizon or similar issue. Again...my thoughts. Your mileage may differ...

The foreground is slanted because the ground is sloped judging from the fact that the mountain range is level. You want a level camera view not a tilt of the camera to level something in the photo that is not level in real life. Again, look at the mountain range. My thoughts anyway...

I can't see a reason for me to focus on death any more than is necessary. I can't imagine going to a gathering to talk about death and view photos showing the stages of decomposition etc. However, I'm a retired detective/investigator who spent most of his time investigating violent crime. I really don't need any more of a focus on death at this stage in my life. I would much rather spend my time focused on life. I suspect I'd feel the same way even if I had chosen a different career. Why sit in a room and talk about death when I can be out in the sunshine and jumping in mud puddles with my youngest granddaughter? Or...just enjoying every moment of life I'm given. Prepare for death, yes. Focus on it, no. Just sayin...

I agree about having the child approach you...for many reasons. The child could be told that you've offered the instruction and all you need is for the child to make the request. That removes any fear of rejection from the child's thoughts. As to actual instruction, go slowly and create circumstances that afford quick results, especially at the front end. If a child works their butt off without seeing something good result from it rather quickly, that child may soon lose interest. I made that mistake when trying to teach my daughter how to play the guitar. Too much, too soon withough enough immediate positive results.

I am going to suggest another possible reason underline what you are experiencing. Is the feeling that you're having regarding your photography exclusive to that or are you feeling that way in a general sense? Are all activities that you used to enjoy with passion no longer producing the same feelings? If your feelings are unique to photography as opposed to a general feeling of malaise, that's one thing. If that is not the case, then it could be a general state of temporary depression for whatever reason. You may have noticed the symptoms first with your photography as that may have been your primary passion over the years or one of them. I speak from personal experience. Just a thought after looking at your post from a bit different perspective.