If the composition isn't there, no camera will make up for it. First you need the 'eye'. You can develop it through trial and error or through instruction, but the camera won't do it for you. However, once you know how to take a good picture, a good camera opens up more possibilities for creativity and control. Still, I agree that it's 90% the photographer. Maybe 95%. If you want to help your friends become better photographers, give them assignments! My DH and I use very different cameras and we've had fun challenging each other with subject matter or with a particular technique. Who can take the best picture of the dogs, what happens if we shoot everything on the tungsten setting today, intesting subjects for a still life, coolest portrait, weirdest light - and my favorite so far: who can make a neighbor look most like a rock star! We're both still struggling with the last one but it's been pretty funny!

She said it was a feature in Photobucket(Photobucket.com). I'll have to check into it and see. I want to use it also. I'll have to see if she can post here on how to use it. Good Luck Kt This post was edited by kentuck_8b on Wed, Jul 17, 13 at 22:24

Your best bet is to take those negatives into a darkroom, the R2400 is your second best bet. If you don't have darkroom equipment, people are just about giving it away these days. I bought three enlarging lenses in the last four months. Each lens new would have cost over $250.00 and I didn't pay more than $20.00 for any one of them. My reason for the darkroom suggestion is this: Photography has always been somewhat paradoxical in its position in the art world. A silver print (B&W) made in the darkroom and properly processed has the longest life expectancy of any known art media -- a stainless steel sculpture might compete. At the same time color photographs hold the position on the opposite end of that scale. It wasn't until the 1970s that color photographs were even tolerated in art museums (Sarkowski bought some Eggleston prints for MOMA). The right inkjet materials are an improvement over old chemical based color, but in comparison to darkroom silver prints inkjet prints are still ephemeral. A B&W print from the R2400 is still made with inks that will fade. Darkroom not a reasonable option, then the R2400 makes really superb B&W prints. I use that printer. I have a friend who just bought the newest Canon (also designed to do B&W) and she is raving about it, so based on her recommendation I'd endorse that option as well. P.S. it is possible to beat a decent B&W print from a "color designed" printer. There are three ways to go. One: Give up on expecting neutral B&W and add a color tint to the image; make a brown and white print and use the color inks. Be happy. Two: Get a custom profile for the printer and software that will allow you to edit that profile (not necessarily cheap) and then painstakingly adjust the profile (could require expert help). Three: There are companies (see link below) that make special inks. Lyson's quad black inks make really nice B&W prints. The problem is you have to take the color inks out of the printer and it becomes a B&W only printer. That could be an option however -- buy a used printer like an Epson 1280 and dedicate it to B&W only. This would cost less than the new R2400. Joe Here is a link that might be useful: Lyson quad blacks

Congrats. You have done a beautiful job so far. We consult on about 30 to 50 kitchens a year. Nice to see one as fun as this. Couple of points. Love the backsplash behind the stove. But any grease pops will hit the wall on either side. What if you do the white subway on either side of the backsplash you have and also on the sink side. It could be beautiful and functional. And since the tiles you have now are aligned, we would do the subway in a running pattern. (staggered) Love the visual idea of open shelving, if its fits your style and needs. And would love to see a little wood brought on to add a touch of warmth. Just look at the bit of warm color in the door mat, and imagine some of that warmth on the walls. And as far as the subway tile, it is totally fine to mix in a bit of traditional with the more contemporary pieces. This keeps the space eclectic and fresh, as well as more unique. Great job so far.