Corn Snake :-)
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:-)
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DSC_3769 by thestemens16, on Flickr
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My flowers finally opened:
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Can any of you photogs recommend a photography book? I have a D5000 and am mediocre at shooting with it. SOmeone mentioned the Magic Lantern books. Also, any books/resources for the SB600 flash?

Like I said, I do OK with the camera/flash, but feel like there is a lot more I could do. With offspring #1 due in September, I'd like to get a little better at it.
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Spend some times on photog forums. Take everything with a grain of salt, as each person will think their style is best, but everyone should have their own way of tweaking technique. That being said, it's not a bad place to learn some things.

Also, check out this list: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/books.htm

and

http://www.amazon.com/Skin-Complete-.../dp/047004733X
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Good stuff. Thanks bro. :-)
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You will learn the most about photography by shooting and shooting a lot. I mean, every day, as much as your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/dog/pet will let you. Nothing will teach you more about photography, in my opinion, than just going out and shooting. Make mistakes, if you aren't making mistakes you aren't pushing your work to higher levels.

It is funny, I love books and have more than I can count but when I read about photography I do it on the web. I've read a number of good photography books but the place I learn the most about photography is on the web.

My number one place right now is http://pixoto.com. If you spend time studying, really studying the kind of photography you find there, you will become a better photographer.

other good websites I frequent:
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/ (great site about off-camera small flash, Nikon shooter perspective)
http://www.confessionsofatraveljunkie.com/
http://www.stuckincustoms.com/
http://www.sylarena.com/ (another great site about off camera small flash, Canon shooter)
http://www.aphotoeditor.com/
http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/
http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/
http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/ (another great site about off-camera small flash, Nikon shooter)

books:
The Hot Shoe Diaries, Joe McNally
Within the Frame, David DuChemin

I realize I may have just had a soap box moment there, you'll excuse me I hope.
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Looks like I have a ton of reading to do. Thanks a bunch.
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Our town does a Community Days celebration every year around this time. They have a pageant to select a young lady to represent our town all year. My daughter decided to participate this year. She didn't win but I was sure proud of how well she did. This is one of the pics I took before the contest. Messing around in LightRoom, thought this looked pretty cool.
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Taryn - before the contest by Jeff Carroll01, on Flickr
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invicta2old by emopunker2004, on Flickr
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Well my Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro Lens came in from Keh. Pictures soon
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Well I decided I wanted a soft/light box for some knife/cigar/watch pictures. Whipped this up using the advice of a guy over on Blade Forums:

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DSC_3941 by emopunker2004, on Flickr

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DSC_3951 by emopunker2004, on Flickr

:-)
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DSC_3995 by emopunker2004, on Flickr
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DSC_4047 by emopunker2004, on Flickr
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Nice photo Justin. What type of insect?
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Thanks Mark

It's a green leaf bug of one kind or another, not really sure. He was on the railing when I got home from work the other day.

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DSC_3971 by emopunker2004, on Flickr
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Think your right Justin. I was Googling some images and appears to be a green wing leafhopper (of some variety)...
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