Life's not ALWAYS lousy. 

Energy and saturated colours. Nice.

Rachel -- Thanks!
My secret is accidentally finding friendly and energetic models and using RAW format to shoot the photos.
We all had a good time!
Thanks for your comment!

qwurky / david

Good, always use RAW myself.

Rachel -
I've only used RAW for two or three days now.
Do you know where I could find information that would help me use it well?

Thanks in advance!

qwurky / david

Best to just search on google because it depends upon which camera system your using. I use Canon.

Rachel -- Thanks for the tip!

I'm lucky enough to have cataracters, so I don't see like I used to - and the big plus is that I might not need the Ansel Adams-like quality that I used to strive for.
The downside is that any day now, I could walk off the side of the cliff because I didn't see it!
(Almost everything has ranges of goods and bads about it, I think!)
Another plus, by the way, is that, having cataracts and being crazy about photography has helped me developed VAST RESERVOIRS of self-pity which I can turn on at a moment's notice!)
Anyhow: thanks again; I'll follow what you told me!

qwurky / david

For someone with cataracts you take a wonderful photo. Your story reminds me of Beethoven or Monet (or was it Manet?) who, in later life, had distinctive styles due in no small part to their "disabilities."
Cannot cataracts be cured nowadays qwerky?

Rachel -- Thanks for the compliment! (Remember that neither Beethoven nor Manet/Monet hardly ever took photos, as far as I know.)
Regarding cataracts, well, yes, they can fix them up just GREAT - but I'm a coward and too scared of one of those sadistic surgeons will go crazy with his machete...or whatever they use - and I'll end up taking photos with the tipi of my white cane!
One day, unless I die pretty quick, I'll have to give in and let them have their fun with me -- but I don't have anyone anywhere to hold my hand while the surgeon chops away!

Thanks for the encouragement, though - thanks a lot!

David