lesa jones

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Glad the clothes were already dirty!<div></div>

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I agree with Bob--Sigma 10-20 is a great lens, and the 50mm 1.8, will serve you well for a while. Have fun on your trip.. LJ

Ok Wade, I've been there too. Overwhelmed, too much information, where to start, etc! Alright, take a deep breath and relax. Put down the big books and mags for a few days. Get your camera manual out and simply go "chapter" by chapter. Take a few minutes, read a little section, then take a few minutes and practice what that section discussed. ie: shutter speed, depth of field, exposure, etc. Do that for a few days and then do it again. Now, pick up other sources of info., but don't panic when you come across something you don't understand. It takes time, just like someone earlier said you don't learn to play piano/music overnight, it is the same with photography. "Technical" know how is great, but personally I think compositional ability is most important. While you are practicing learning the different "sections" of your camera's manual, keep composition in mind,and try to compose interesting shots, but it doesn't have to be priority for your practice sessions. It will just get you in the habit of thinking about composition as well. Again, don't panic.....deep breath, relax, and MOST important--have fun with it! Best of luck to you, look forward to seeing your progression. LJ

1. A lot of friendly and funny folks here at PN

2. Once you think you understand something, get ready, someone throws a monkey wrench in it, and you confused again.

3. So, based on 2, try not to overthink a "thing"

4. I am not the best photographer, nor the worst.

5. Originality is rare

6. PN membership is the best $ I spend all year.

You may want to look at SmugMug too. I set up a pro account with SmugMug, and just like you, know nothing about building a site. They were extremely helpful and information abounded. Good luck.

I agree with Starvy. I will assume that you are a hobbyist, who is venturing for the first time in DSLR. What kind of "things" will you shoot--family/kids, vacations/ landscape/ macro/ etc? Do you really want a DSLR or would an advanced point and shoot fit your needs? A lot of your buying decision will rely on the type of photography you are doing, and more specifically the lens choices for the DSLR is almost more important. I am a Canon shooter, simply because my first SLR was a Canon, but that doesn't mean that another brand would fit your needs. Look at the Canon lineup, especially the XTi and XSi models....those are good models, reasonably priced, that would allow you to learn. Again, I think your lens choices are going to be more critical to your buying decisions, and that is where I would suggest really spending your money. Best of luck and happy shopping!

Hi Rob, I too am preparing for a first show this fall.... I have been watching the sale paper for Hobby Lobby, and buying frames the same basic black frames, when they run them at half off. I am going to have the same size frames , but a couple of different size prints, nothing smaller than11x14 though... I have also found that Mpix is a very nice and reliable lab. I can order the prints and they are usually at my door 2 or 3 days later. Good luck, sounds like we both have lots to do....regards....LJ

Thanks for the info. Very useful.

Oh Harry...you may have opened a can of worms with this one! haha.. Canon vs. Nikon.... The Canon people are going to give you their reasons and Nikon people are going to give the multitude of reasons why their lineup is better. Me, I'm a Canon person, with the occasional Sigma lens thrown in. I think it is really going to be up to you. What focal range lenses do you wish to purchase, research the various lines of those images and prices. Look at your budget and think about the direction, besides weddings, that you may want to participate in for the future. Good luck!

Consider SmugMug an option...they have a ProZone option... they have templates for websites, which you can further customize and tailor to your needs, can sell your images in form of prints, canvas, tee shirts, all sorts of things, you set your own prices, and the best part is they handle the transaction of money part and send you the profit. I got this account, and I am a total idiot with computers, but was able to set up what I think is a nice site.

Outside programs are not always necessary either, the standard Microsoft picture program that comes on those operating systems (versus Apple--which I have no knowledge of)-- can resize your pix for you too. If you have an image that you have "tweaked" or edited I would first make a copy of it and then resize the copy so you don't loose the size and potential of the original. Look for resize option rather than compression, I usually use the small document size for posting here on PN. Hope this helps, I am no expert, but this is a great site to learn from others who are more in the know. LJ

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