Ahh yes, I understand what you mean, and to be honest that's exactly my worry!

Used to be a time, seems like so long ago, you could take a picture of a child and not have someone looking at you suspiciously. :: sigh ::

-Melen

I do have to admit that I do, also, occasionally, in moments of weakness, get irritated when I browse the Poser gallery and see that someone stuck v3, naked, with big nipples, on a freebie background and has 5 million "THIS IS SO COOL!" comments... But then... I go back and look at the stuff I started with. I started, originally, with Bryce (and old version). My first picture was water (cause rendering water was cooool!), a default terrain plopped in the middle, half submerged, and a dolphin. I then smack myself in the forehead and remind myself about throwing stones in glass houses.

Ultimately it's what the artist feels. If it provokes some sort of response from those viewing, then all the better!!!!

Of course, I suppose if I were relying on my art to put food on the table, some of my opinions might be different, at least slightly.

Attached is the first piece of digital "art" I ever created, back in 1997. Everyone starts somewhere! Hopefully in 9 years I've gotten at least slightly better :)

-Melen

Quote - art: the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. As has been discussed by other posters here, there is no difinitive answer to what qualifies as art. Or even good and bad art. Of all the things in this world, art is one of the most subjective. I do what I do because I feel a drive to create. Something inside of myself wants to come out in a form of creative expression. Like 1358, I proudly consider myself an amateur because I do it for the love of it. Do I want to improve my skills? Sure. I would hope that everyone does and that their own drives push them to go past the stock models, textures or whatever medium they are in, and explore how far they can push it to better express themselves in a creative and unique manner. We are all at different skill levels on Renderosity. If you don't like something, there is no-one making you click on that thumb to take a look at it. Do something because you love doing it and try not think less of others because they are not where you are at in your creative journey. Wikipedia has worthwhile entry for "Art," I recommend taking a peek: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art 

::claps:: And this, my friends, is why I so enjoy the Photography forum here.

-Melen

I guess in the beginning I always strictly planned where I was going, and what my main "Theme" would be. I usually (still) combine an outing for photography with hiking and geocaching. It's triple the fun! For a theme, I might pick a nature preserve that has 2 waterfalls and 3 geocaches, so the waterfalls would be my main goal and whatever else I manage to snap is just icing on the cake.

I'm still like this for the most part. Getting the camera was a large expense for me. Matter of fact, I was doubtful I'd be able to afford it before my kids all grew up! So I'm really nervous about just taking it and walking down the street shooting pictures. I'm also somewhat nervous about offending someone and having them go off on me or something.

I'm guessing, since most think it's no big deal, that it's probably unrealistic worries I have. So maybe I'll try the mall or whatnot sometime soon.

Great tut... Thanks for the link!

Wow that is a nice p&s, for sure!

Hi Kort,

I used the A series pretty much exclusively until I bought the Rebel XT. The last was the A80, tho it's a little old to match your specs. I haven't used any of the newer models.

However, I will say I was always very happy with the A80 as a point and shoot. Generally got the shot, and didn't take too long to start up. So if Canon has continued to improve this line, the A95 should be a decent point and shoot.

The LCD on the A95 is only 1.8", tho, and the price is a little more than you want to spend. I've always been real happy with my Canon's.

Just my 2 cents.

-Melen

Happy Bday you 2 :)

Thanks for that suggestion, Cal.Amari... Wow! That software does an amazing job! I've been using Noise Ninja, but I have to say that it didn't clean that image up quite that good. I will have to give Noiseware Pro a try.

-Melen

Hi all,

thank you for all your replies.

Here's what I did (stupidly). I put my Digital Rebel in sensor cleaning mode, and was blowing the sensor off with the little hand blower. Since I wasn't thinking, I left the brush on and accidently touched the sensor with the brush, and it left a big smear. Ugh!!!

I ended up getting all the smears off with some lens cleaner on a qtip and such. But of course, my 1 spot of dust turned into dozens! After much work, I got it so it's not horrible, although there's still around 10 seeable spots (when a white piece of paper is shot in Av mode, Fstop 22).

Now, most shots none of the dust shows up. Here's my next question... am I ok not to take it in to get it cleaned until it becomes a problem? Or is leaving the dust on the sensor a bad idea?

I totally agree with Zeldie in that cleaning the sensor is very stressful (if your goal is to completely rid it of dust). It pretty much ruined my weekend and I'm still stressing over it.

Thanks.

-Melen

Usually a couple hours before sundown.

-Melen

Trust me, if I had the money I'd be all over that Mac Pro. It does look sweet!

I'd add the Mac and Apeture onto my Xmas list, but I think "Santa" would start laughing hysterically (at me, not with me).

-Melen

Hi peapodgrrl,

I'm barely above newbie level, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt. I'm sure some of the more knowledgable folks will chime in shortly (one thing I love about this forum, is the more experienced photographers seem to have no problem helping out).

For the 8mp vs 10mp, really I don't think there's much of a difference. Check this thread:

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2668922

That has a link to a site comparing 6mp to 10mp, and even there the difference is visible, but not as much as you would think.

I was originally going to buy a Nikon D50 or D70. The D70 ended up being just out of my price range. So off to the store I went. The Nikon D50 was sitting next to the Canon Digital Rebel XT. Now, I've used Canon point and shoots for awhile now (started with the PowerShot A60, and ended with the A80) and was always very happy with the Canon cameras. Ultimately after playing with both the Nikon and Canon in the store, I changed my mind and went with the Canon, and so far I'm very happy with it! I've posted a couple times about noise, but really the shots I'm seeing noise in are very underexposed.

If you decide to go with Canon, I would say to go with the Digital Rebel XTi. I like what I see regarding the "self cleaning". Maybe it wont be perfect, but it might be a nice addition. It's not much more expensive I don't think. I would also recommend buying the body, only, and then buying a decent lens. I made the mistake of buying the "kit". I can't say the kit lens is horrible, but it's not real great either. I'm still kicking myself for not buying just the body and getting a better lens to start with.

That being said, I have no experience with the Nikon D200, but have heard good things about it. Course, I can't remember what those good things were :)

As for ease of use, I found the Rebel XT to be really easy to use. It seems to be as easy, or as complex, as you want it to be. It has a number of preset modes you can use (potrait mode, landscape mode, etc), as well as the normal P, Av, and Manual modes.

So that's my 2 cents, hope it helps at least a little. :)

-Melen

Looks nice. Don't have a Mac here (tho looking at the constant crap about the coming Vista release, I'm starting to wonder if I should just buy a Mac!).

-Melen