thanks guys...Terri, maybe i shouldn't have called it a point and shoot as I dont just use it to take snapshots. With the s70 i still have complete control over the camera like i would an slr and take advantage of that. I just didn't pay the money for the digital slr and wanted to learn all the basics, previously i was competely ignorant to what most any feature on a camera did, f stop, shutter speed, iso, etc etc. Once i feel i have a good grasp though i am quite interested in buying an slr for a while though i think i will stick with digital as i am taking lots and lots of photos of the same thing until i get it "just right". That is part of the reason i went digital first instead of slr, instand feedback on what i am doing right/wrong. As far as photo classes go i dont think i have the money for that right now either as i am a struggling college student, but i have been reading and looking at forums nonstop to learn all i can in hopes to one day have a portfolio i can look at with pride. thank you very much for all of your suggestions.