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My previous camera was a Pentax ME Super Semiautomatic SLR.
I loved it, but it finally gave up the ghost. I'm tough on cameras, hence the new one's sturdiness. The wallet not quite fat enough for a SLR replacement yet. |
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Money's not really an issue so whatever a good one costs, I'll pay it. I'm gonna have a look around and see what's available.
Thanks for the suggestions. ;) : ) |
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Omg I did it!!! :goteam:
Here's what I got...  Tomorrow I will shop for a great macro lens!!! :08: Well what do you think? I could have got the newest model but there was an older man ahead of me who saw me looking and he whispered in my ear "Buy a Canon" and he bought the exact same one...so I took it as a sign and followed suit. ;) The most important thing is the lens, isn't it? I plan on investing in a good one. I'll let you guys know. I haven't even taken this thing out of the box yet. I'm a little intimidated by it but I'm gonna read the entire manual and get familiar first. Oh wow, I finally got one! YAY!!! I've been wanting a DSLR camera for so long! Hope I'm ready for it. :woohoonaner: I can't wait to take some amazing pics! :D Ok gotta go read... : ) |
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Oh I'm so excited! :goteam:
Going lens shopping today. I'm looking for a quality macro lens that is really excellent with handshake and blur and takes a wonderful clear shot. I'm willing to spend anywhere from 400 to 600 on the lens and if I buy it from Black's Photography they'll let me use it for 15 days and check it out before deciding. I took a quick shot last night in the dark just to check it out. Here it is, of one of my aero-gardens...  I've obviously got a lot to learn but omg I love it!!! :goteam: I'll post later tonight about which lens I chose. Yippeeeeeee! :D : ) |
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Thank you for the tips - When I first went digital, I had a couple P&S Olympus digicams, but got a Canon G9 a few years ago to get the higher bitrate. I like having a smaller camera that is always available in my purse.
With the old 35mm SLRs it was more of an conscious effort to haul a camera around - and I missed a lot of opportunities to take pictures. I have an ME-super and a bunch of lenses for that at home - telephotos and zoom lenses. Would it be worthwhile to get a Pentax DSLR so I can get some use out of that older gear?  Quote:
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You can't really prevent hand shake when focusing up close. For still objects, you can use a tripod and for moving objects, you can use an external flash.
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Ok so I got a macro lens today...
 I tested it in the store with a quarter on the counter and I was amazed. Can't wait to take some shots. I've got a tripod already. I learned lots today. I was gonna buy a canon macro lens but I was told I'd just be paying extra for the name and that the lens I got was would be just as good. Wow lenses are expensive but when I looked through it I was truly amazed. This is just way too cool! :08: Here's a shot I took today at a restaurant, but not with the new macro lens, just with the one that came with the camera...  : ) |
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I was gonna wait awhile to get it, but when I saw the amazing deal I could get on this canon lens, I went for it...
 I wanted to take pics of bugs on leaves so I got the macro lens, but I'm also very interested in pictures of birds in trees so I wanted a good zoom lens. Oh I can't wait to hit Springbank Park soon and spend the day taking nature shots!!! :goteam: : ) |
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Should be fun! I have a 70-300 for agility/birdi shots. I'd like a fast 400 prime but they are way too pricey.
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Thanks Mitchel! :D
I've been waiting for you to post so I could know if you approved of my new equipment. I see you as kind of a camera/picture expert and I aspire to take the incredible pictures that you do. ;) How pricey is pricey? What does that fast 400 prime lens do, compared to our 70-300 mm? It obviously zooms in closer? Forgive me for the lame questions but I'm still learning. :o I really was astounded to see the prices of some of the lenses. :eek: If I wanted to though, I could soak a large amount of cash into a lens, but I'm just an amateur right now so I stopped myself from going too nuts...until I can see if I can use all this stuff. I'm a little nervous about it all but totally excited too. I feel really good about my purchases. I gotta still read all the manuals in full and check out these lenses. Omg this is too thrilling. I am ready to burst! :ha: Here's my new baby with the lens that came with it...  Chat soon... : ) |
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You'll love your new gear!
Here is the 400 2.8 with nano technology and vibration reduction. The number 2.8 refers to the maximum opening of the aperture inside the lens. Bigger opening = more light through the lens and onto the sensor/film = the ability to use a way faster shutter speed to freeze the action even in low light conditions while using a low ISO. It also makes for amazing bokeh! It's also the fastest focusing lens of it's type with razor sharp images and zero distortion. Only $9K Every once in a while one pops up on ebay for a little less. Remember bigger numbers like 4.5 - 5.6 is actually a smaller aperture opening = slow lens. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8G ED VR Autofocus Lens 2171 B&H More in depth info here. Nikon 400mm f/2.8 AF-I |
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Thanks! I'm so excited! :D
Omg that thing is amazing, Mitchel!!! :eek: Could you imagine owning that?! I would be taking shots all day and everyday! :ha: Ok I tried that macro lens tonight! I need tons of practice yet but I'm having fun checking it out. I used my tripod to steady the camera...  : ) |
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With a short lens in decent light and IS you shouldn't need a tri pod.
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Ok cool. I think I'm just nervous when I handle and use it...so I shake a lot. I'll get used to it. This is a big step for me.
Guess where I might be going this weekend? To the Toronto zoo...where I can have the most incredible subjects to shoot of all!!! :goteam: I'm going to zoom right in on the animals' faces! This is a long weekend for us with Monday being a civic holiday. Us Canadians love our long weekends and find any excuse to enjoy one. :ha: So I'll likely hit a beach this weekend as well and can get some shots of Lake Erie along with a lighthouse...where I can use my zoom lens! Might end up at storybook gardens and Springbank park too, and I'll get some bird in trees shots. I've got a couple weeks to try it all out before fully deciding to keep it so I wanna go places where I can take some really nice pictures and see if this thing is worth the money I soaked into it! I know it is but I'm dying to take these kinds of pictures and it's why I bought it. Sorry to ramble but I'm totally excited! :08: You know what would be a good idea? Is if you went splits with someone who's a friend on that 400 lens...and shared it together. :) This would make it more affordable and less crazy. My mom has been going shopping with me these last few days and she has nearly fainted at the cost of the lenses I bought but I told her to wait until she sees the pictures. She would have a heart attack if I paid 9000 bucks for a lens! :ha: Anyway, can't wait to post my weekend shots next week. They should be terrific... : ) |
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Remember, the best camera is the one you have with you when you need one. The camera does not take the photo, the person behind it does. I could buy the most expensive camera or lens in the world and that guarantees me absolutely nothing. Photography is an art, a vision, a feeling, a desire to create, both in camera and post process.
There are some general photography rules that do help once you understand them, but at the end of the day it's still a very personal and subjective art form. Good thing is that digital film is free. Don't be afraid to pull the trigger! :) |
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I couldn't agree with you more and that's why I'm so attracted to cameras and picture taking because it's so artistic and personal. I love the creativity of it all.
I find myself looking at things now and seeing a great potential picture. I can imagine it before I take the actual shot. It really is a form of art and I enjoy it immensely. I very much love your post and I'm totally inspired by what you've told me. I just can't wait to get out there this weekend with my camera and go nuts with snaps! :goteam: Oh and today I bought a nice black canon bag to hold all my stuff. It fits everything perfectly, including all the lenses too. I got a pen to clean my lenses and a filter also. : ) |
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If you have a few extra bucks do yourself a favor and get one of these. This is the best R type strap on the market.
Carry Speed - Original Offset Design Tripod Ready Sling Strap And make sure you always have a lens filter on all your lenses! I'm not talking about the lens cover, it's a clear piece of glass that protects the lens from damage while shooting. |
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I have the glass filter you're talking about...the guy showed me someone's lens that was cracked in the middle because they didn't have a filter on! :eek:
Should I buy a filter for each lens...or do I use the same one and just put it on the lens I'm using at the time? Ok the canon bag I bought was really expensive and it came with thick cushioned straps just like ones in your link...plus an extra strap too. It's extremely comfortable to carry. They also had backpacks, for hiking and cycling, but I'd be terrified to ride my bike with my camera...at least at first. It was a gorgeous bag with all these cushions inside...I nearly bought it. I thought the one I got was better suited to me for now though. It's a really good-looking bag and I love that it holds absolutely everything...including my manual! Or do you mean a strap for my actual camera? It came with a standard canon strap but I can pick up one of those other ones today if you think it'll be better. I want to be comfortable because this camera is heavier than I'm used to. : ) |
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To protect every lens you own, you put a glass filter on every one, then basically forget them. They are pretty cheap and will help keep from getting scratches on your lenses (or on the lens coatings, also a bad thing) ...
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Thanks for mentioning this, Mitchel. I'll pick one up over the weekend. I really should have got it today but I just got too busy.
We decided we definitely are going to the zoo tomorrow! I'm gonna take some killer shots...or try to, I mean. :ha: Ok so I'll pick up a couple more filters as well...for my other 2 lenses. They're only 30 bucks each and it sounds like they're worth it. When I saw someone's cracked lens because they didn't have a filter, I was horrified! Why would someone spend all that money on a lens and then not put out for a filter?! :eek: I guess they sure learned their lesson the hard way, but I won't be. Omg I am too excited about going to the zoo tomorrow and I just hope I can take the pics that I imagine taking! :goteam: I love the cats, and plan on getting many zoom in shots of their faces. The Toronto Metro Zoo has all the classic zoo animals and I can't wait to shoot them all. Imagine though if I get there and there's a huge sign posted that reads "ABSOLUTELY NO CAMERAS ALLOWED"!!!! :ha: : ) |
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Wow, thanks Mitchel! That's stuff I wouldn't have thought of. I like the ideas and suggestions. Neat that some zoos let you in early if you're shooting!
I hope my pics turn out decent for a beginner like me. What if the shots are horrible and I can't post them?! :eek: At least a few should be good hopefully. I'll try my best... : ) |
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Shoot 50 - get one keeper. It's free!
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I have a new camera.
On Thursday I bought a new camera and on Friday we went on a dinner cruise on Lake Okanagan. I am thrilled. This picture is to ‘legitimize’ the bragging about my new toy and it shows an oleander blossom on our back patio. (I had originally planned to post this in the "what's blooming in my...) This photo shows an Osprey nest shot from a rocking boat with my hand held camera at 10x optical zoom. This old paddle wheeler is permanently grounded and now serves as a small museum The picture of this balloon flier is a long distance and photographed with 10x zoom from an unsteady boat. A brand new winery, still under construction on the lake shore. – Same 10x… Velvety hills at sunset. You guessed it: 10x… And now the best part: That camera only cost $170.-. :) Of course, the 10x... is a bit extreme and you can have naturally everything down to wide angle and in between available, but I just wanted to test the picture quality at max. tele. Now, that I have a touch of experience with the 'optical steady shot' and telephoto features. I have to try out the 'sweep panorama' and the HD movie. :) |
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Congrats, Olaf. Nice shots! :D
Mitchel, I am shocked! :eek: Let's just say I'm keeping these cameras and think they're worth every red freakin penny!!! :goteam: I was worried all the way home that the pics I took today would somehow be not that great or super blurry once I loaded them. Omg was I wrong! Ok, here's a shot of a Giraffe that I took with the canon dslr using the 70-300 zoom lens...  I also recently picked up a canon digital "powershot" camera with a 15x zoom lens and 12.1 megapixels. This grizzly bear was shot with it...  I'm gonna start a new thread soon and show all the zoo shots I took today eventually. It's gonna take some time to load then all...and plus I'm shooting more and more each day this long weekend! We're now also entertaining thoughts of going to African Lion's Safari! I'll hit the beach one day too and get some good pics. Chat soon... : ) |
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Concerns I have...
When I was at the zoo, I pretty much walked around with my camera around my neck all day...like everyone else who had a camera like mine seemed to be doing. I was concerned though about the sun being on it, with it being black and all too. Of course I had the lens cover on in between shootings but is it wise to have the camera exposed to the sun like that for a long time? Also... What about when you're done using your camera and you want to put it in the trunk of the car...is it ok to put it into a hot trunk? I was too worried about it and just ended up carrying it with me. Oh and I went back and got that fantastic hiking napsack that's totally cushioned and super comfy to carry. Way more room than the Canon bag, but I'll keep it too for short fast trips. Check out the backpack though...  They're new and they just got them in. See how thick and cushioned the shoulder strap is...  It cost a bill but it's well worth the money...  It's so thickly cushioned and there are so many different compartments to keep things well organized...   The camera fits at the very top of the bag in an extremely cushioned area...  I'm going back to the zoo within the week and I'm looking forward to using the backpack instead of the other smaller bag. Gonna get that camera strap you mentioned too, Mitchel. ;) : ) |
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"What about when you're done using your camera and you want to put it in the trunk of the car..
.is it ok to put it into a hot trunk? I was too worried about it and just ended up carrying it with me." No Sherry, the hot trunk is definitely not okay. I am quite sure, if you read through your instructions, they warn you about that. Any outside temp is fine, but the trunk gets hotter than any desert can throw at you. You may want to get yourself one of this small insulated bags with a cooling brick (?) inside. Best, Olaf |
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Never leave it in the trunk, it will over heat and or be stolen.
Outside temps are not a problem until wintertime when you'll need to worry about condensation building inside the lenses going from one temp to another. Google that to see what others are doing. Strap = told ya so! ;) |
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I knew it wasn't a good idea to put it in the hot trunk! So glad I decided not to! :D
I also saw this girl at the zoo like me who had the same camera around her neck and she wasn't even supporting it at all! :eek: I didn't think it was too good for the camera, let alone her chest, for it to be bopping and bouncing all around. I saw that most people were holding theirs with one hand to support and protect it. I did the same with mine, and never once let it just dangle or hang. I felt protective and didn't want anything to happen to it. In a couple hours I'm going to pick up that cushioned camera strap. Bet it will be real comfy. :) Yup Mitch, you were right! Ok, so no hot trunks. I will for sure find out about condensation on the lens in wintertime too and find out what to do to curb it. I plan on taking lots of winter shots. We're going back to the zoo soon, so we can see the animals we missed. It's such a huge park, you really need two days to see it all. I missed the Gorillas but plan on shooting them the 2nd visit, in a few days. I'm so pleased with the quality of the pictures and can't wait to take some more! :goteam: : ) |
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Ok this is the best strap they have Mitchel, so let me know what you think...
 An inflated price but the sales guy claimed he owns one also and that it's super comfy with extra cushioning. It's tripod ready as well! I'm going back to the zoo tomorrow, so we'll see just how comfy it really is... Oh and I got the other filters now too, so I have one for all three lenses. This will be more convenient for me. I plan on taking even nicer shots this 2nd time. Last week was my first time and I was still getting used to things. Gonna catch all the animals I missed the first visit. Ok so now I have absolutely everything I need to support my obsession...I mean hobby! :ha: Thanks so much everyone for all your help and suggestions. :goteam: : ) |
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Now I'm not so sure if that strap is right for me after all. :(
In the picture, the guy's camera is hooked at the top, but my camera can only be hooked from the bottom, so it would be on my hip completely upside down! Unless there's something I don't know. I'm gonna take it back to the store and get the sales person to show me something better. Or am I supposed to hold the camera right side up? I don't get it, so I better inquire. Didn't go to the zoo today because Toronto is rainy all weekend so we'll hit there early next week. Plus we're gonna check out Marineland in the Falls too...hoping to get some killer shots there. :goteam: Oh and one of the filters I bought doesn't fit the lens that came with the camera so I gotta exchange it. I also had bought one of those pens to clean the lenses but I seemed to have misplaced it and can't find it anywhere! : ) |
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No wrong strap. Just buy the one I posted a link to even if you have to buy it online. There is no better strap.
The R strap that you bought eliminates the ability to use a tri pod. Not good. |
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Ok I'll get the other one but it says this one IS tripod ready and the hook even comes away from the strap so you can put it on your tripod.
Maybe I'm just confused. I'm taking it back today and I'll get the one you posted about, Mitchel. I noticed after looking at my receipt last night that the filter I bought for the zoom lens was 60 bucks! The other two were 30 each. I guess it's a lot cheaper than replacing your damaged lens though. What do you recommend for cleaning the lenses? : ) |
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Well if it still allows the use of a tri pod maybe you should try it. Ideally the lens should hang down anyway. I know the first generation of R straps made by that company used the tri pod fastener which sucks when you want to use a tri pod.
Ask at the store for a lens cleaning kit. It should have a dusting brush that you squeeze and air comes out, and a micro fiber cloth with some special cleaning solution. |
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I am thrilled with my new camera. Unlike Sherry I am not after professional quality pictures, but after
practicality when travelling. This wee little thing I can easily carry around in my pant pockets and I won't even know, that it is there and when I go out in the evening I can stick my little tripod (6" long when folded) in the same pocket. The pictures I have posted in this thread are not aimed to pursue the highest quality, but to test the limits of the instrument's performance while still delivering a high quality. And that it does! This is a shot of the view from our patio, I would not even have attempted with my old camera. It was taken well after sunset with about 3 times magnification, hand held, 1/8 sec exposure. |
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This photo was taken today 24hrs and 2 min. after the one below, this time with tripod and less zoom (I wanted to get the moon also in there). While I was very happy with the result of yesterday's hand held effort, which is important when travelling, the tripod support clearly produced superior results. |
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Very nice shots, Olaf!!! Love the reflection on the water and the moon in the 2nd shot.
Ok so I kept the strap I have because it's incredibly comfortable and all I had to do was buy a small little piece that screws in, to make it completely tripod ready. It's an upgrade from the older straps. I really like it, now that I know more about it. I tried on this other strap though that actually had a holster for your camera to fit into! It was too fancy and heavy though and I felt like I was in some kind of a ridiculous Sheriff get up! :ha: It had two straps for each shoulder and a waist belt with a holster on each side. It could carry two cameras. Oh and I found out why the one filter was 60 bucks...because it has a UV protector as well. I thought this was important so I took the other two back and got the UV protectors filters for them also. Now all three of my lenses are protected. I was told that even though you have a filter on your lenses, particles can still get in between, so I'll have to take the filters off and clean the lenses sometimes. Thanks for letting me know what to use for cleaning, Mitchel. ;) : ) |
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Here is your photo with CS5 noise reduction. No other mods, just digital noise reduction. Check the difference in the sky. Post processing is fun too! :)
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Same Noise reduction adjustment, vibrance + 10, saturation +10
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It's like everything became clearer, Mitchel. The difference in the rocks is amazing! :eek:
So you can edit and modify your shots? That is just way too cool. : ) |
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Yeah in photoshop anything is possible!
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Why not just get a camera that takes shots you don't gotta edit. :ha:
I'm so pleased with the quality of my photos, I don't think they need doctoring. I bet it would be fun to see the differences though, even if you have a great camera. I'm gonna have to try this just to check it out. My camera came with some kind of photo editing program, and a few other disks I forget offhand. Too rainy and crappy for any trips yet but we'll be going soon enough. : ) |
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Hi Mitchel,
I stared at the sky in both pictures repeatedly back and forth and could not discern any difference. - Until I looked at the respective reflections of the sky in the water. There the difference was clearly evident. :) Now I have to figure out what a CS5 noise reduction is and how to get/achieve it. I have taken two more shots of the same scene as it got darker, but the pictures got progressively grainier. Maybe they can be saved too? :) Actually I will probably toss all these photos out, as they are just for practice and to determine the limits of this new camera for the times. when the objects are more unique than our own back yard. Thanks, Olaf |
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Taking shots in bright daylight with the sun at your back is easy. For that your expensive camera is wasted. ;) |
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CS5 is the latest version of Photoshop. The noise reduction tool is included. Another older and possibly outdated plugin for older versions of of Photoshop is called Neat Image. It works really nicely too.
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1. Are you post processing and if so what application are you using? 2. Are you shooting at the max file size for the camera? 3. Are you shooting in jpg or RAW? Here is a crop taken from the photo I like from your trip. I took it into photo shop, enlarged to 2000 pixels wide and selected an area from the center. You can see the horizontal banding. There are ways to remove it but it shouldn't be there in the first place.  |
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That's the thing Mitchel...I don't know! :ha: I've just been winging it!
When I first bought the camera, I was busy...going to the zoo and spending a week at the Falls, plus now I've been in port stanley for heading on two months! The truth of the matter is, (even though I'm ashamed to admit it :o) I haven't really read the manual from cover to cover...merely skimmed it. :eek: I've never edited my pics in any way. I just snap them and then load them from my memory card to photobucket and then to banana org. I wouldn't know the first thing about post processing. I think the reason for this banding business, could be just my ignorance about the proper settings to use, etc. I really need to take the time to read more thoroughly and I'm certain my pics will get better. Just been having too much fun to be bothered with studying. :D Thanks for explaining things to me. So you think I should edit my photos? But then I think they'll be like fakes and not real. I suppose a little enhancement here and there couldn't hurt. I really don't know how to do this yet though and I can't answer your other questions either...yet. Give me time but I will improve. I'm still an amateur just yet...don't forget. ;) : ) |
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