First, we were asked to supply information on the type of camera we will be using for class and comment on why we chose it and/or how we want to use it.

Canon PowerShot S30
3.2 Megapixels
Optical Zoom Ratio: 3.0x
Resolutions: 2048x1536, 1600x1200, 1024x768, 640x480

As I am new to digital photography and can not [yet] speak to all the details of this camera, here is a link to a review and additional information from imaging-resource.com for anyone who might want additional information.

I was looking at several different cameras in the $500 range last week. After pestering several friends and partners in crime incessentantly, reading reviews and user comments until I was cross-eyed and generally driving myself and everyone around me batty, I went with this one. I don't really know what I will be shooting yet..whatever catches my eye. My personal tastes in photos I view tend to favor details, corners & bits of things, faces, the sort of shot that is a "bit of life" rather than panoramic or full landscape photos....but then there are some of those I like as well. haha

The vast majority of shots taken will be for web display, but I do want the capability of having a good print when "that shot" presents itself. I considered going another $100 for the Nikon 995 as I hear people raving about that one, but a large consideration for me is having it small enough to drop in my purse or pocket. It doesn't matter how nice a camera might be if it is sitting at home gathering dust. The Nikon just did not feel quite so good in my hand and was bulkier than this one which is about the same length/size [ just a bit wider] than some of the midsize cellphones. It seems purrrfect fit for me sizewise. Just large enough to see the buttons/controls, but compact enough for a pocket. The Olympus Camedia (700?) with the 10x optical zoom was the other one that kept "talking to me," but I decided to go with the slightly higher resolution and the lower zoom. I am still wavering on that decision...lol. *Sigh* At any rate, when the major user malfunction is corrected [fingers crossed], I believe I will be very happy with this little fella.

I have only made it to "my own backyard" so far**, as I have it set on higher resolutions..why? dunno? but I do, so the little 16meg CF that came with it lasts me about 15-16 mindless snaps before it stops cold and I have to start deleting. According to UPS tracking, my new CF, additional battery pack and card reader should arrive tomorrow. *VBG* I might extend my self imposed leash then...IF it will stop raining for a few minutes. Tennessee's weather report is fairly dismal this week...flooding, rain and more rain. Hummm, there's an underwater cover available for this puppy...another accessory to consider. hahaha

[**After note: It did stop raining for awhile today and my new card and extra battery arrived from the lovely UPS man, so I did venture out on some errands and took the camera along. Added a shot from that little adventure here.]

Enough rambling!!!!

You will now be [ahem] privileged to view my very first attempts at digital photography. Haven't attempted any type of photographs in quite awhile, actually. I beg you indulgence on my new adventure and welcome any and all advice and ideas.

Click the thumbnails below to be taken to the shots and what information I have on them at this point. For the purpose of this lesson, the only changes that have been made were cropping, resizing & compression for web view and sharpening to compensate for the size reduction. They are still rather large if you are on dial-up [like me] so apologies in advance for slow downloads.]

Here goes:

That is all I can think of for the moment. I will be playing and fiddling with this [and no doubt ignoring the rest of my lessons] for the remainder of the week. If I should come up with something I like or wonder about, I will post it under my *extras* section and to the class discussion board.

Thanks and tata for now,

Farron and _^..^_