I just purchased my first digital SLR camera, after years of using digital point-and-shoot models, and using 35mm SLR’s before that.  I’ve always loved photography, but when film cameras started dying out and digital camers started taking over, I really couldn’t afford a good DSLR.  Fortunately, the prices have continued to come down, and although I purchased what most pro’s consider to be an “entry-level” SLR, it has enough flexibility and manual control to freak me out a little.

I purchased the Nikon D5000 camera, which came with an 18-55mm f/3.5 – f/5.6 DX VR Nikkor lens.  I purchased it from Best Buy, and they were offering a package deal which also included a Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom Lens and a bag.  I’ve always had good luck with Nikon cameras, so I was excited to find such a good deal on the package, especially since I love working with a telephoto lens.

I’ve started studying the user manual and checking out various websites and magazines dealing with digital photography, and…WOW!  So much has changed since the last time I used my Nikon 6006 film camera.  So much of the digital photography process is now done on the computer in some sort of photo-editing software, so you need to not only understand your camera, you must also understand your software.

Fortunately I already have Corel Paint Shop Pro, which is about the next-best-thing to Adobe Photoshop.  I spent a lot of time in PSP about ten years ago just playing with graphics, but now it’s much more geared toward photo editing.  The user interface has changed a lot since I used it heavily, so I need to get reacquainted with all the tools and palattes in the software.

I’m very excited about getting back into my photography hobby, but this time of the year isn’t the best to do that.  It’s dark when I leave for work, and it’s dark when I go home in the evening….well, almost dark.  I’ve seen some of the most beautiful sunsets on the way home, but there’s not enough time to get to a good shooting spot and get setup after I leave the office.  However, in another month or so that should change as the days get longer (and it gets hotter!).

I’ll be posting some of my favorite shots on here as I learn to use the camera, and I’ll be using this blog to keep track of my progress as I become so aquainted with my camera that I don’t have to stress over every shot….it will become ZEN!