[Elle]

I gave my husband an Olympus Evolt 500 for his birthday last year, and after using it, and envying his crisp clear photos, I gave into camera lust and bought myself a K200D. I could have gotten another Olympus and shared lenses with him, but I really like the fit and finish to the K200D. I am a complete newbie to "photography" and right now, I want to learn how not to use my automatic settings. I think I am pretty good at composing pictures, which I think mainly comes from my background as an artist in oils and other mediums. I am signed up for some classes, but can anyone offer a book on photography that has more information on the nuts and bolts of the art?

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[monochrome]

Welcome Elle - happy you are here. I'm in Kirkwood and there is a budding St. Louis Area Social Group, if you are interested.

You have the hard part - the art - already started. I'm just learning the technical aspects - making the camera see what I see. I've decided to take a course at UMSL or SLCC in the fall. The SLCC online digital photography course is taught by Joe Angert - supposed to be wonderful.

http://huckfin.org/art172/index.html

Try this introduction on photo.net

Learning Photography? Browse photo creation resources from Photo.net

[Elle]

Thank you! I would be greatly interested in a St. Louis group. I am taking a course at Creve Coeur Camera on Monday called "F-Stops - huh?" and later in the week one on Photoshop followed by a third at the end of the month specifically targeted at the K200D - which are so new there isn't even a Magic Lantern book out yet! Thanks for the links, I'll definately check them out!

[monochrome]

Thank you! I would be greatly interested in a St. Louis group. I am taking a course at Creve Coeur Camera on Monday called "F-Stops - huh?" and later in the week one on Photoshop followed by a third at the end of the month specifically targeted at the K200D - which are so new there isn't even a Magic Lantern book out yet! Thanks for the links, I'll definately check them out!

BTW, I didn't comment on your first photo post (because I'm not that good yet). Your daughter, if I may presume? I like the composition and colors and you did a great job with the EV and WB in a shaded setting,

The little bench makes the shot - I'm guessing this is your little hidey where you can relax and enjoy quiet and hear the birds, but in your shot you are peeking into HER little world - lovely.

If you click on your Nickname in the upper right of the homepage you are taken to your Profile. Scroll down to the Group Memberships box on the right and there is a Join Social Groups link. Click it and you can select St. Louis.

Nothing is happening yet, but we've only had this feature for a few days. User440 started the Group. There are about 140 members from Missouri and one day I will PM everyone and invite them into the Group. Maybe we'll just get together now and then - and maybe we'll become a full-fledged photography club.

Whatever happens this is a great Forum - so many helpful, experienced photographers. Post up your pictures and you'll have friends quickly.

Thanks for joining.

PS - Here's an F-stops link for those who like overkill

A Tedious Explanation of the f/stop

[Elle]

Yes, that my little Livvy. The bench is actually courtesy of the Botanical Gardens, it was a miserably hot August day and she found this little cool hidey hole to sit in. I'm off to join the group. Thanks for the directions!

Welcome Elle, Don't worry about the technical stuff there's plenty of help here on the forum and Pentax is pretty user friendly. Just try different things, beauty of digital is you don't waste any film and you can instantly see the results. Just remember not to delete anything until you've loaded it onto your computer and had a better view of it. I'm still really green but I have found that, after a while, things start clicking (get it?) into place.
As far as books go, I found the Magic Lantern Guide (I have one for the K10d, should be one for the K200d out soon if not already) very good.
I also went on one of the Digital Days Workshops Digital Days and found it quite useful. There is one in September in your city. They usually have reps from BH Photovideo there with good prices on some of their equipment.
Cute daughter by the way.
Gary

[MJB DIGITAL]

there is another book called 'understanding exposure' which has great reviews at the camera shop and from readers online as well.

[MacGirl]

Hi and welcome Elle! Nice photo, lots of photo op's at the "Garden" just have to get creative as you did. I joined up the St. Louis group also so we'll see you all around.