Ok, that does make a difference! I'll be downloading it right off.

Thanks for the examples of what a noise reduction program can do.

EDIT: I use the K100ds.

I like it too! The "castle guard" looks harmless enough.

That must've been a sight!
Good pics.

Took my Sigma 70-300 to the air station in Pensacola for a Blue Angels practice session. Last year I didn't have it and wanted to see how I fared with it.

I thought I would love this one, then I saw it on my monitor and it's NOISY. Didn't realize noise would be an issue on a bright morning. ISO is 800, should I have taken it down? (I bumped it to 800 because I knew I'd be shooting mostly at 300mm and wanted to get crisp shots)




This one is really the only one from the day that is so noisy, but it's a shame. BTW, this is only a slight crop.
What would you have done different?

If you must.....

Well, there's nothing wrong with seeing what it would look like. But I think it works the way it is.

This is my kind of picture - soft and pretty.

These made me laugh - good set of pics. The third is especially well-focused.

You've caught a great expression!

I agree with the brightening. Also, (although I like the tight crop) some more room at the chin would be good, so he doesn't look like he's eaten the bottom of the pic!

A few from my visit to an historic cemetery near downtown Memphis:
(the first one with the 18-55, and the rest with Sigma 70-300)










just experimenting:




and I couldn't resist:

As far as learning how to use the camera, I think you're doing fine - nothing seems over- or underexposed, things are sharp, etc...

As far as interest, if you practice your framing/composition you'll see an improvement. Try putting your focal point a little off-center.

You're off to a good start I think!