So after looking around this forum a couple months, I have been inspired to learn more about photogrpahy :). But really, I was just wondering if any of you could give me some direction on learning the basics of photogrpahy or any information that you may have found valuable while you were starting out. Should I take a class?

Right now I only have a Nikon Coolpix S1 an it gets the job done for normal, everyday pics.

ANy information would be appreciated. Thanks

Just take a walk or something and take pictures of whatever you see that catches your eye, then take pictures of the object or whatever it is in a bunch of different angles at different perspectives. You'll learn a lot from just that alone. Also, I've picked up a couple of books that have been pretty helpful. It's nice because there is more pictures than text :) The books will more so bring things to your attention than anything else which is great.

How do you like your battery grip? I've heard mixed reviews about it (some people having fitment issues?). Anyway just wondering. Thanks!

mine fits perfectly. I did hear that they had to make a new battery grip because the old one had problems. I bought mine in like October of 05 so I got the new one (I'm not sure when they redesigned it but I think it was a little while ago). But ya I love it, the extra battery life is nice but I mostly love it because of the vertical shutter button. It makes it so much easier!

shoot shoot shoot!

Find any excuse to get out to shoot something. Composition is the hardest thing to learn, some have it some don't. I think I'm the latter :)

I used to just point, compose quickly and shoot away like there was no tomorrow, but now when I look at something, I'll look at it, think about it the angle and what I'm trying to accomplish, compose and take the picture. Most of the time I come home and look at the pictures I'll ask myself .... what the hell was I thinking of, this looks like crap :)

I went out and shot the other day and I just "knew" I had some winners. I then uploaded them and was like, "ya those all suck." The lcd screen is nice but I can't really get a good read until it's on my computer.

I'm playing with mult-strobe lighting and exposure right now using the histogram, not as easy as I thought :(

Fun stuff.

I heard many good things about it but I didn't realize they released an update to it. I'm heading into Manhattan today and I'll stop by B&H and Adorama to check it out. TY!

sorry i had to put them here, i have the originals back on my desktop, and i wont be back in town until early next week
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/51968/clears.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/51968/left.jpg?">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/51968/taillights.jpg">there is a little scratch on the left side, its about three inches long if i recall correctly. its just a surface scratch though, and other than that they are just a little dusty.
let me know what you think,