Casey your pictures are beautiful! Do you take them all yourself? I am starting to enjoy photography as a hobby. My daughter has a nice camera that she has been letting me use. Do you have any books that you recommend for an absolute beginner? Also, do you have any recommendations for a camera for a beginner? Any information would be helpful as I know nothing about photography.

Some coleus at the front of the house.

Thank you Sabbath. Yes I take them all myself. I've been doing digital photography since 2000 so I've learned a lot in that time. But I've never read a photography book so I really can't recommend one, sorry! I'm also not very technical so I can't recommend a specific beginners camera either. My advice is get one with manual settings so you can learn - you won't learn much from a point-and-shoot. Point and shoot is a great way to start but it will become limiting very quickly. You'll want to be able to adjust shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc.

Sabbath7....maybe instead of a camera...software. I manipulated...uuuuh.....brought out the colors your eyes saw, but the camera didn't pick up because it needed more light, either a longer exposure or a + light modification, cloudy day setting or just use Lightroom software. Then if your shutter stays open longer you'll need a tripod. :0) Digital photography is about manipulation, sometimes with an f stop or a filter...or a 300mm lens that cost $6K.....or ....start small....as long as the compositon is good....and it's VERY good as seen here....taken by YOU....then manipulate it.

Jim, nice Coleous!

I hobbled around the city with a girl friend yesterday.

Nicole- Thank you so much! When I saw your picture I was startled lol! I thought whose in my backyard? ??? I will definitely take your advice. I just post pictures that I take with my phone on here, I don't know how to do it any other way yet. Thank you again. I know nothing about photography, I was just in New Orleans and went out early while everyone slept each morning with my daughter's camera and had a great time.

Well Nicole, while I agree that you have to do some editing on digital photos, I don't agree that digital photography is about manipulation. I don't do much editing, a lot of my photos are simply resized and sharpened for web. If you get it right in camera you don't need to edit it much.

sabbath7....I LOVE your photos...you have a good eye!

Nicole- you are too kind to me! Everyone on the KT board is so nice.

I think we have cats that look EXACTLY alike. Sometimes I see people on the other boards and they aren't so friendly, I am thankful that everyone on KT is always uplifting to one another.

Sabbath, I was on another forum, that closed down. It was bitchy and catty and if people asked the same question too often they'd jump down their throats. Some wanted to meet up, but no one would ever meet in real life, even though they lived close together. Unlike GW where several people have met, in all the forums.

sabbath7....:0) When I'm working on a house, all I have time to shoot is my cat. I always make time for the Boo. YOUR kittie is adorable! Those green eyes....oh my!