Hi Guys, and my first pics.

[Dodge]

Hi everyone,

I'm pretty much an absolute novice to digital photography, well any photography come to that, so I'm hoping I can learn a lot from you all as I have just been bought a Sony A350 by my wife, who I suspect is trying to get me out from under her feet, and am hoping to make a lot more of it than I did with my old Casio compact.

Heres a few of my favorite pics that I took with my Casio 4.1, hopefully there will be more to come as I get to grips with the DSLR.

Blyth Beach, Tynemouth Priory (just as the fog rolled in off the North Sea), St Marys Lighthouse Whitley Bay and St Bartholomews Church Newbiggin On Sea, all in Northumberland UK where we live.

Nothing spectacular, but these are the pics that have kind of inspired me to take up the hobby and hopefully learn and improve with time. That and the rugged yet beautiful Northumbrian scenery and buildings. I'm suddenly seeing things in a totally different way wherever I go.

Oh and as you can see, I probably talk way too much .

[lindyannajones]

Perhaps your wife is not trying to get you out from under her feet but to help give feet to your considerable talent for photography? These are fabulous shots for anyone but especially for one who calls themself a novice. All great shots and I'm partial to the view of the Priori. The framing, the fog and distant window give it an etheral feel. BTW An abundance of words are welcome here, too. Some of us...ahem...can carry on. Like this. Welcome to DPS. You should feel right at home.

[bgg]

I'm another rookie, but I think you have been a "rookie' for quite a while, maybe you should chnge your rating of yourself, all your shots are very crisp, very nice

[james-dolan]

I like the lighthouse picture the best, the composition is very nice and it's just aesthetically pleasing to look at. Also your pictures are unedited (I think) and they are still perfect. You've got a good eye. The picture with the doorway makes good use of a natural frame, however it would have been nice to see the whole doorway instead of it being cut off. Keep up the great work Dodge,

James Dolan

[Dodge]

Thank you very much for the kind words guys (and galls). It is very encouraging.

I think I have been very lucky really in a couple of respects, firstly the casio camera that I bought a couple of years ago for family snaps has really performed in the last couple of months since my interest grew, by luck rather than judgement, way better and more simply than I could ever have imagined. To the point where I slowly began to feel that I was possibly taking some pictures rather than 'snaps'.

Secondly, my wife is a professional graphic designer so she has given me a lot of encouragement to take pics for her to use in her artwork rather than relying on stock photos, which has led me to go out and specifically photograph things that I would never have dreamed of otherwise.

I agree James, on the doorway pic, it has bugged me that the top was missing too. I think I was concentrating too much on the opening and view through. Still, living near the Tyne, I should never be short on fog so I may get the chance to retake it, although having the fog spookily roll in on a sunny day as it did on that occasion may be a tougher order.

[Fred flyfisher]

Those are all fantastic. I especially like the framed ruinous courtyard. Great work!

[Busybee]

Hi
Very beautiful photos,they show how much gifted you are
as a photographer. As they say, it is not the kind of camera
that makes the difference but the person who is behind it.

[Glayva]

Hi Dodge
Welcome to our site - the best you'll find around. These are a very good set of shots, lovely colors and a genuine eye for a shot. Give your wife a big hug from us all at DPS.

[windrider86]

That second one is an jaw dropper.

[mstark70]

Welcome to DPS! I agree the second one is just stunning! I love them all but that second one is the clear winner for me. I think you have a fantastic eye for photography! I think your wife is just trying to foster your creativity and talent that she also sees in these images.
I look forward to seeing what you come up with now that you may "learn" something. I think you already know more then even you are aware of.
Keep shooting my friend! You are off to a fantastic start!