New guy from Tyler

[todd_a]

Hey everyone! I'm new here. I'm from Tyler (about 100 miles east of Dallas).

I've been interseted in photograhy for a long time. When I was in the 6th grade, I think it was, I was in an art class and I built a camera and took a picture with is and then developed the picture. That was pretty cool! When I was about 16 or so, my mom had this Canon AE1 that I used to burn thorugh film with and I was really into it back then, but I never aimed that toward a career and then work and life in general got in the way of it, so it fell to the side. A few years ago I picked up a Canon SD550 elf for a pocket camera and I have been messing with the settings and doing all sorts of things with that. It really does a great job for what it is, but I finally decided I wanted more and started looking into DSLRs. My uncle does photography as somewhat of a hobby and his brother-in-law is a professional. They both shoot Nikons and that pretty much made up my mind for me between the Canon/Nikon argument because of the ability I would have to borrow some of their cooler lenses. I had been looking into several cameras and had decided to go with the Nikon D40, unless I came into more cash to spend. I liked it better than some of the newer versions from Nikon. My girlfriend caught on and she got me a Nikon D40 for Christmas.

So that is where I am at this point. I would love to eventually do this professionally, but how often do you get to do something you love to do for a living? right? Anyway, I hope to get some good insight and direction from this site and maybe even be able to contribute eventually.

[sigma1448]

A big welcome Todd! I'm from Dallas but I love to go out to Tyler State Park when I get a chance. I miss the pine trees here and you got em!

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by sigma1448

A big welcome Todd! I'm from Dallas but I love to go out to Tyler State Park when I get a chance. I miss the pine trees here and you got em!

THANKS!!!!

It is hactually been a while since I have been to the State Park out here. I guess it's like people that grow up next to a beach and don't go very often. You would think they would go every chance they get since it is close. We have a very nice Municipal Rose Garden here that I manages to go visit again finally around November 1st. There was a wedding that was about to start when we were there. Excellent location for that!

We sure do have the pine trees! And all those pine needles that won't rake up to wo with them, but it's definitely nice to have some color through the winter.

[TRWhite]

Hello and Welcome Todd from Whitehouse.

Hope you like the forum, I myself have learned alot here. And I am sure you will be back here many times..

Tim

[todd_a]

Thanks, and so far I have been trying to read through some of the wealth of information on here. I'm not a newbie to the use of forums so I am searching and reading as much as I can before I start asking what might turn out to be dumb questions.

Hey, Whitehouse.. .now that is pretty close. I'm in your school district even. I'm about 7 minutes away depending on which side of whitehouse you might be located. The pic on my avatar is next to where Roy rd. meets Paluxi. Thats where I am.

[TRWhite]

I am just of Hwy 110 south of Whitehouse down just before the city limit sign.

Tim

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by TRWhite

I am just of Hwy 110 south of Whitehouse down just before the city limit sign.

Tim

Do you by any chance know the Maxwells that live on Gardenview on that side just off 110? That is my uncle and aunt.

[TRWhite]

No sorry I am affraid not..

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by TRWhite

No sorry I am affraid not..

yeah, sort of a long shot there. I mean there is only about what, 6000 or more people in that area. lol

[popawalker]

Welcome to the forum Todd.
There's plenty of interesting stuff around Tyler to practice on. As you mentioned the Rose Garden, the Childrens Memorial Park on broadway, Lake Tyler, the Zoo, maybe even some historilcal sites. I'm visiting until Thursday so I'm going to get out some and shoot.

Steve

[firenut]

Welcome to the forum (and to being a Nikon owner) Todd.
I live near Tyler, but I work there. I am still learning myself, but will help with any questions that you might have.

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by popawalker

Welcome to the forum Todd.
There's plenty of interesting stuff around Tyler to practice on. As you mentioned the Rose Garden, the Childrens Memorial Park on broadway, Lake Tyler, the Zoo, maybe even some historilcal sites. I'm visiting until Thursday so I'm going to get out some and shoot.

Steve

In the areas near down town there are some older buildings here and there. Might try off Chilton on both the east and west sides of broadway for some of that if you are interested in that.

If you want to see some landscape and dont' mind a little drive you could head outto love's lookout south of Tyler on hwy 69 almost to jacksonville which is about 30 minutes south of tyler. There is a nice rest stop built there recently, but there is the ruins of an old outdoor theater on the hillside, and an old forrest service fire watch tower, along with the view of the bluff you see out the back of the rest area. I used to go catch the sunrise there.

In the spring there are tons of azaleas that people in the older areas off chilton, have planted just for that time of year's festivities surrounding the azaleas here. Those older houses really get colorful at that time.

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by firenut

Welcome to the forum (and to being a Nikon owner) Todd.
I live near Tyler, but I work there. I am still learning myself, but will help with any questions that you might have.

Sounds geat to me! I might have to hit you up to get together some time and show me some stuff or something at some point even. I'm trying to absorb as much as I can right off. I was reading a post somewhere on here that suggested the book "Understanding Exposure", so I found it at Barnes and Noble and I've been styudying that. I'm sure that is going to open up a ton more questions soon. I have a few already about the camera - as far as some of the stuff in the book translate to my camera, but I am going to read a little more before I start asking questions that might seem basic with a little more study.

I see you started with a D40 and have added a D300. Does the D300 make the D40 seem pretty weak?

[firenut]

Originally Posted by todd_a

I see you started with a D40 and have added a D300. Does the D300 make the D40 seem pretty weak?

The D40 takes great photos; it is just not as flexible as the D300.

With the D40, I mainly used Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority. With the D300; I find myself using Manual mode more often. It was a huge learning curve going from one camera to the other, but I am getting used to the 300.

I have heard that the book "Understanding Exposure" is a need to have for photography. Maybe I should look into getting a copy myself. Anyway, fire away with questions and I will try and answer at least some of them.

[Ahh!]

Welcome from Frisco!