To post images on the chat forum, resize the image you wish to post as a jpeg at about 600x400pixels.
Windows users proceed as follows:

1/ Open post message section.

2/ Write the relevant details/text.

3/ Log in to Photobucket at the bottom of the window. If you have not already done so, you will first need to create and account.

4/ Left click on browse to find the image on your computer.

5/ Find the image you want to upload, select it and left click 'open'.

6/ So doing will transfer it to browse box.

7/ Left click upload.

8/ When you see the thumbnail of the image you wish to post appear in your Photobucket gallery, place your cursor over URL box and left click mouse, you will see briefly the word 'copied' appear then disappear.

9/ Move your cursor below the text in the message box, right click and then left click 'paste' from sub menu that appears, you will then see just the URL description appear, not your photo.

10/ Left click preview to view and confirm picture and message is as you require.

11/ Left click post, this will transfer your message to the forum and your photo will also appear ..........

One point to note: the URL box always defaults to the latest/last image uploaded. To select another from your Photobucket gallery display, just left click on the thumbnail of required image and it will place its URL in the URL box and proceed as above.

I think we can agree that most modern compact cameras will shoot very good images using just the presets, i.e. Landscape, Macro, Portrait, snow scene, indoor, night scene etc., etc.,.....as knowledge increases, one can then move on to manual settings for exposure levels etc.,......

Tips I can add are, ensure you are shooting on the highest quality available for your camera.....try to keep steady when shooting free hand..... where possible use a sturdy tripod, failing that find somewhere to rest your camera, a beanbag or something similar placed under your camera on the resting point will also absorb camera movement.....gently squeeze the shutter button do not 'snap' at it.......try using the auto timer, or if available remote shutter operation.....get involved with a local camera group, there is a wealth of experience in such groups and I know from experience members are always ready and willing to assist and advise, I have learned much from our local groups and never stop learning.... and finally practice, practice, practice, practice.....IanL.......

Night photography tip from Andrew.


The moon and clouds is a difficult one - the moon is usually a lot brighter than the clouds.

First, you'll need a tripod, or something to rest the camera on or against securely. Possibly an auto exposure is OK - some digitals are have OK auto exposure even for night. But since it didn't work for this shot then try a 2 then 4 then 8 second exposure.

That's changing the shutter speed. Alternatively, fix your shutter speed and open up the aperture (move it to a smaller number for different test shots)

Another alternative: you can auto expose then move the switch toward the "+" sign for changing the exposure by over-exposing, which will get you more cloud detail.

If you want a hand held shot you'll have to use a fast setting - 1600 ASA maybe. And then practice holding VERY still!

That night shot of mine was a digital, and I didn't record any tech details. But it was around 200 asa and around the 8 second mark (I don't remember exactly) and I was using a tripod. (Yes it was cold standing in the snow!)

You don't need a special lens, and a mid-range camera will probably have settings you can change. But it all starts to become where maths meets photography!