Thanks for the advice! That's one of the main reasons I am trying photography: to get out of my comfort zone. Being a programmer, I tend to spend all of my time on the computer, but I was longing for something that would get me away from that and challenge me in different ways. I'm still trying to decide if photography is something I actually like or something I want to like... So far, though, it's been great!

Thanks for the encouragement! I think I almost understood what you're saying... still learning all the terminology. With the higher f stop, like f/8, more of the frame should be in focus right? I borrowed a lens from Tyson; it's a 28-90mm, so maybe I'll try using that a little more, too.

I don't plan to continue manual focus forever, but it's been a great learning experience. It's even made me think about how my eyes see the world, which is something I didn't really contemplate before.

Thanks Charlene, I really appreciate your encouragement! I'd love to do it again, so maybe some event will give me a chance to try. Next time, I'll consult with professionals about what I should bring first though :)

Thanks Jim, that's probably one of the best compliments someone can give to a newbie :) I barely did any post-processing on the photos, but if you see something you like, feel free!

As the first assignment? Uh... no! But, I think that would be a great addition about midway through. Perhaps it could be the midterm :)

Well said, James! Yes, I used the 50mm all day on manual...

Thanks Susan! I'm glad I didn't disrupt the sessions too much, event if I was in flip-flops :D

That's why, as an employer, you would be periodically asking yourself the Keeper Test. If the answer is that you wouldn't fight to keep someone, then why are you still employing them? As Netflix stated, let them go now so you can fill that position with someone you would fight for.

I looked around and it doesn't appear that I have the plugin. Sorry!

Sorry, I got rid of my Mephisto installation when I moved to Wordpress. Sounds like a good time to make a new publicly available Mephisto plugin though ;)