don_taylor1

The only way you will be able to use Adobe CAmea Raw on your XSI photos will be to upgrade to CS3.

I think it has something to do with Adobe wanting people to give them more money.

With my D70 I always removed my CF card from the camera and used a card reader and Nikon transfer to move pohtos to my computer.

With my D300 i have found that it is much faster if I connect the camera to my computer (about 4 seconds per photo with the camera connected to the computer compared to about 15 seconds using a card reader).

Nikon Transfer can be set to transfer to a primary and a backup location at the same time giving you an instant backup of your work.

1. First off, what could I have done differently with the settings to improve the image?

dont wait before you start shooting in raw... Start Now... there is a lot more you can do with a raw image then with a jpg.

Learn how to setup a custom white balance I keep a small gray card around with my camera and use it often whenever the light changes. It is so much easier to get the to get the white balance right when you take the picture then to change it later.

For a shot like that a polorizing filter may have taken a lot of the reflection out of the water making the surfer stand out a bit.