I'm too stoopid to figger out the auto everyting modes and shoot 99% of my stuff on "m"

I have a slide, a close up of my little boy taking his first breath of air during a c-section...

Cheers!!!

there are reasons to shoot jpeg... only cheap computing power and workflow software like aperture made me decide to switch...

I'd go kx..
adds video to the mix, if you got flash units you already got spare rechargable batteries.
but I guess the main question for you would be weathersealing vs video...
which do you need more?

I learned on Pentax. never felt a need to change.

Actually, these have merit, if you got out of the camera the images you intended to make, then sucess... Many young people on social networking sites would consider these to be arty and different enough and stylish.

Few parents would buy them..

so WTF?
you can't win em all...

unless you shoot classic shots to please mom and pop, free style to please the kid, then what?

always try to get an idea or two out of a project that pleases, and challenges you , as well to keep the fun factor going or you'll burn out trying to please others...

Apple's Aperture is worth the money if you want to spend, otherwise I'd stick with Iphoto.

Wacom tablets often come with a free copy of photoshop elements if you need a cheap imaging solution..

that first shot..
one variation I'd try is this:
get the lines in the leaf running diagonally across the frame, and parallel to the sensor to keep it in focus.. the place the shell, at the rule of thirds position as you have done but use slightly harder light for more contrast and texture...

I have tried the ring flash.. glare and reflections... not the solution...

the best solutions I've found are a powerful strobe from above the tank, two is best one from each end of the tank... and a black seamless paper or cloth with a hole cut to poke the lens through...

set the black screen up to prevent the camera/other ambient light from forming reflections, and light from the top and it should work fine.