Hello. I'm Robert from L.A., Ca

[BOBWED]

I am a novice. I did 35mm about 30 years ago on both an SLR and Rangefinder. I did some dark room work, too. But, I soon learned that it was pretty expensive. And, at that time there were no forums or blogs. So it often got pretty lonely shooting alone with no one to work with. Some years ago I discovered hiking. Unfortunately, hiking in dust and heat, I found is not good for expensive equipment so I switched to simply snapshot 35mm and 110 formats. I managed to destroy 6 cameras.

Presently, I care for my mom full time. So I was looking for something to do around home and decided to try digital photography. I combed the internet for my first camera and settled on my present one (Fuji s1500) because it is first sort of inexpensive ($159.00), versatile with both auto, scene recog, programmed, a/s priority, and full manual, and has extended zoom. What sold me on it was that it had a veiwfinder. I use the viewfinder more than the LCD, eventhough the LCD's brightness is adjustable. Viewfinders in my price range seemed pretty rare. Because I wear bifocals using an LCD is tough on the neck.

It has been a real problem for me to learn the camera and digital. I have a vision impairment which does not permit me to read or work on a computer for very long. So I have to stop and rest my eyes frequently. Also, because I care for my mom full time I can't get away to join a club or take a class. I just got a book "Teach Yourself Visually: Digital Photography", by Huss and Kent, 3rd edition. I have "Teach Yourself Visually: Windows Vista" which I used to learn about the computer. Both are very graphical so I don't have to struggle with reading. Until now I only had my camera's manual which addressed the camera but not the context of digital photography nor seemed able to clearly guide me between what 35mm was and what digital is. I am sort of stuck in the past.

I am looking forward to being a member to learn about digital photography and share my experiences so I won't feel so alone as I did doing 35mm.

I look forward to being in your good company. Thank you.

[RaceImages]

Welcome to the site, your going to find a lot of helpful people here, well everyone except Kevin, but you will learn to ignore him like the rest of us do.









you know I'm kidding don't ya Kevin.....lol

[Lilikoi the cat]

What Steve said.....

He isn't kidding either.

Really.

Welcome and if you have some specific areas you would like advice on just feel free to ask.

[jcambray]

Hi Robert, and welcome!!

I'm brand new to the forum too. The people I've "met" on this Forum have been great - very generous with their time and expertise, as well as entertaining. (Kevin, you can pay me later.)

Thanks for sharing your story. As a result of some medication, I have also have a lot of trouble reading and understanding what I've read. I actually took up photography at the suggestion of one of my doctors to try and train my brain to learn visually. So I really appreciate your mentioning the visual based instruction for photography - I'm going to look for it! I never thought of looking for that type of instruction materials. If I find anything else that's good and visually based, I'll let you know too.

Looking forward to seeing you work!

[Ahh!]

Welcome from Frisco!

[lvolkjr]

Welcome to the forum, we'll try to do our best to help you with any questions you may have.

[jcambray]

Hi Robert,

Kevin (aka Lilikoi the Cat) posted a link to a really good and free Adobe visually-based tutorial for Lightroom and PS. Thought you might want to check it out too. Here's the link: http://www.jkost.com/lightroom.html