Pen Pals wanted

I can be a pen pal although I can be very depressed.

My current interest in wildlife is in the squirrels, birds and foxes that I see outside my flat.

I spend a lot of time with my camera trying to get close up snaps.

One problem is that I suspect that my neighbors think that I'm spying on them and they are shunning me.

I've been doing photography for a long time now, and I can tell you exactly what's wrong with your pictures. 

Nothing. Now go make up some half decent prints and offer them to your neighbours. At least one of them will take you up on the offer.. I would. I'd be pushed to choose, which, too. (Probably not the squirrel, I've taken enough of those myself). 

Thank you, you've reminded me why I took up the camera all those years ago..

One of the reasons I used to insist on carrying an SLR is precisely because of the weight and long strap... In dodgy areas I will often carry a tripod with the pointy feet too.

Not saying I would definitely put up a fight, but if I do have to, or even choose to, it's good to have the right tools to hand. It was a consideration that came to me 30 years ago, when I was told by a passing local in no uncertain terms that if I kept taking pictures in a certain area I ran the risk of getting "taxed" by the local hoodlums for my camera. I got chased into my flat once when I took pictures of a load of young people running away from a car they had just crashed, and had to kick some guy back down the stairs when got overly enthusiastic about wanting to own my camera. 

A camera (or laptop) bag also serves to carry my daily stuff about with me, (I never "travel light") just like a womans handbag does but without the unwanted "metrosexual" overtones. Thus the SLR is pretty much always with me. The urge to use it waxes and wanes though. 

I've built up a substantial archive of images, both digital, printed and silver halide based, and am hoping to divest myself of them and most of my equipment soon.

I had a Nikon D3 until last year, which was potentially able to deal a fatal blow to an assailant, as well as get some images no other camera can get. But in terms of "bringing home the bacon", from any situation my little D70s shamed it...

I also learned a hard lesson about NIkons UK's repair loop capabilty, and the companies attitude towards it's older pro gear stinks IMHO.

As you have so adequately demonstrated here, having all the gear, does not confer a significant advantage over someone who has a good "eye".      

If your gear costs too much you run the risk of being in the situation where you dare not take it with you in case it gets damaged or stolen.

His total investment in gear, costs less than a decent SLR body! I've done both the gear accumulation thing and the formal photography training thing in the past, and neither signifcantly improved the quality of my output, in fact it's my belief that thinking about the technical stuff and collecting gear is a very good (but popular) way of killing one's ability to take an outstanding picture..

Those photos are amazing, especailly the heron. I like herons

My wife has bought a Canon SLR and is keen to get into photography. It looks like a fun hobby

I prefer small cameras which I can easily carry with me.

This is the view from my window.  I see all sorts of creatures.

Would I be right in thinking that you use a "bridge" camera?

I.E. not a full SLR, something along the lines of Panasonics Lumix?

However you are doing it, you seem to be getting exposure pretty darn perfect. 

Would I be right in thinking that you use a "bridge" camera?

I.E. not a full SLR, something along the lines of Panasonics Lumix?

However you are doing it, you seem to be getting exposure pretty darn perfect. 

One of the reasons I used to insist on carrying an SLR is precisely because of the weight and long strap... In dodgy areas I will often carry a tripod with the pointy feet too.

Not saying I would definitely put up a fight, but if I do have to, or even choose to, it's good to have the right tools to hand. It was a consideration that came to me 30 years ago, when I was told by a passing local in no uncertain terms that if I kept taking pictures in a certain area I ran the risk of getting "taxed" by the local hoodlums for my camera. I got chased into my flat once when I took pictures of a load of young people running away from a car they had just crashed, and had to kick some guy back down the stairs when got overly enthusiastic about wanting to own my camera. 

A camera (or laptop) bag also serves to carry my daily stuff about with me, (I never "travel light") just like a womans handbag does but without the unwanted "metrosexual" overtones. Thus the SLR is pretty much always with me. The urge to use it waxes and wanes though. 

I've built up a substantial archive of images, both digital, printed and silver halide based, and am hoping to divest myself of them and most of my equipment soon.

I had a Nikon D3 until last year, which was potentially able to deal a fatal blow to an assailant, as well as get some images no other camera can get. But in terms of "bringing home the bacon", from any situation my little D70s shamed it...

I also learned a hard lesson about NIkons UK's repair loop capabilty, and the companies attitude towards it's older pro gear stinks IMHO.

As you have so adequately demonstrated here, having all the gear, does not confer a significant advantage over someone who has a good "eye".      

If your gear costs too much you run the risk of being in the situation where you dare not take it with you in case it gets damaged or stolen.

His total investment in gear, costs less than a decent SLR body! I've done both the gear accumulation thing and the formal photography training thing in the past, and neither signifcantly improved the quality of my output, in fact it's my belief that thinking about the technical stuff and collecting gear is a very good (but popular) way of killing one's ability to take an outstanding picture..

Those photos are amazing, especailly the heron. I like herons

My wife has bought a Canon SLR and is keen to get into photography. It looks like a fun hobby

I prefer small cameras which I can easily carry with me.

This is the view from my window.  I see all sorts of creatures.