Granted, I'm really brand new to photography and we just got a Canon 50D with a 28-135mm lens. It's taking some great pics, but some of them just seem off to me. I'm still learning how to get it to take better pics without jacking with the camera too much, LOL!

This first one was taken with full auto on "night" setting. I know it has the potential to take better pics, I'm just going to have to figure out how to adjust the settings to get them better.



This second one is of a spider that had caught a moth in its web...I took at least 15 photos before I got this one, but it's still off a bit. I think it's too bright.



While I was taking that picture, I glanced over and saw this praying mantis chomping on some bug, so I snapped that.



Finally, here's my little dog, everone takes pet pics, right? ;)



So, now to read and learn more. Anyone suggest a good book to read? Magazine? Techniques, etc?

nice pics, I've been into photography ever since I went to Ireland. I'll see if I can put some of the better pictures up as well. It is pretty worth-while when you get some nice shots.

Edit:

Here

Just a few tips that I found to be helpful.

Also any of these books listed here.

I've never looked too far into the books but I have found some interesting stuff.

:P get a load of Coach, the naturalist. haha, those pics are awesome! Really high-quality.

Those pictures are huge, even on 1080p they don't fit my screen :<

The bug ones are pretty neat.

It looks like I have to brush the dust off my Nikon d40 and get back into the hobby.

I HATE Spiders! That picture of the Spider just made my damn skin crawl!

Even still, very nice pictures, Coach!

The picture of the moon is really amazing, very clear and fine quality

Nice pictures coach! Just bought myself a Nikon D5000. I really like it. One of the first pictures I took with it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9282956@N06/5069468681/.

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wheres the nudes coach, where?

F*CK spiders

pepper by colton1337, on Flickr

fixed* i think lol. Can you guys see it now?

that pepper looks tastey

SIck ass pics guys!! I cant wait till i save enough money for a T2i! Till then i shall bask in the glory of your pictures!

It was tasty! My neighbor grows and dries them. Then makes chili powder every year.

That spider has been living on my front porch for weeks, I like turning on the kitchen light so he'll get more to eat.

Otis, nice!

Nice! I have something of a kinship with spiders so-to-speak. Shit, I once lived in a house with a family of tarantulas living in the ceiling.

Your spider pic definitely could use some contrast but was otherwise well taken. I agree with Cyning on the moon picture. It's rare to see a shot of a crescent that also captures the outline of the entire celestial object.

Nice pics all! Coach doin well, good close ups are tough.

My public gallery: http://picasaweb.google.com/naturedave.