C&C please, enjoy!

[nyamy]

love the first one!
which beach is that btw?
I'm on LI too

 

[postalkitty]

I am in love with the top pic. I've been trying to get that with my camera but I always fail miserable. Great shot.

 

[levinest]

@KmH - True that for all of us. I was pretty much taking that one was a given.

 

[newatdslr]

I know what you mean levinest , I got a D3100 with a kit lens July 1st (18-55MM) since Then i bought a 55-200 mm lens , polarize filter , low pro bag , Bogen tripod , cable release and a 50mm prime , My wife says If i go back on E-bay,amazon or to the locale camera store she's leaving,,,,,,,Boy I sure will miss her ,,,,Their is so much more I want to get

 

[levinest]

@nyamy - that is Flying Point beach in Southampton, Long Island (NY)

 

[LaFoto]

Acknowledging that newbies to the hobby use their methods to get things right, so in the end they even get a cool shot like the first above, I feel I should also support what KmH says, though, about diminishing the need to check ("chimp") each and every photo in order to get ONE right in the end. It sure helps to put the hobby to higher stages when you learn to know what to do so the outcome will be this or that or any other. And once you're there, you feel the satisfaction of "having known before", of having been able to plan, to pre-visualise AND get the correct outcome - in that one photo. Even without any greater need to put it through post afterwards - I'm always so happy when I get shots like that! (I must admit that even after 35 years of photography in my life - always as a pasttime only, mind you! - I still don't fully succeed, though).

 

[levinest]

@LaFoto - Agree 100% with you. My goal (and I would hope most of us newbies are the same) is to get to the point that I "just know" what aperture, shutter, and ISO will generally work under any given situation I find myself shooting in. Part of getting there is passing through that stage where I'm employing the "chimp" method, but that's not where I want to live my photographic life. Right now I'm taking the baby steps. Eventually I'll be able to walk, then run, and someday hopefully be able to handle whatever ground I may find myself standing on, but I've got a long way to go, and a lot of scrapes and bruises ahead before I get there.

I read recently about the 10,000 hour requirement to become and "expert" in a given profession/field. For those of you brave enough to trust me, see this link: 2011 Nikon News and Comments by Thom Hogan Scroll down to the section that says "How many hours?" and read upwards through the next couple of sections for more about this subject. Thom posts on a regular basis and each new post is placed above older ones so they're basically in reverse order. Anyhow, what he really put in perspective is the issue of what it takes to learn about photography or really anything in general and what it takes to maintain such knowledge/expertise/skill so it isn't a "one step forward, two steps back" process. Unfortunately, with 3 kids and a full time job I'm going to be one of those on the long, slow track, but I am doing my best to dedicate whatever time I can towards the process and stay committed to making myself the best I can be, regardless of the amount of time that may take. Making a point to enjoy the ride at the same time. Passion and drive and enjoying sharing the fruits of my labor, as opposed to "need to do this because it's my chosen career", do help keep me going.