Reply #4: some of my favorite websites

[rdking647]

http://photocamel.com/forum/
http://www.pixtus.com/forum/
http://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/index.php

as to begining equipment Id go with a simple DSLR over a point and shoot. it gives you much more flexibility and can be used as a point and shoot in automatic mode as you start out.
the Nikon d3100 is a good new camera and is about $500 new. you also might consider a used d3000 . reputable places for used equipment include adorama,b &h photo and keh photo. (do a google search to see their websites)

as to book dslr's for dummies is actually a pretty good book.
everything I do is digital. I havent used film in 6 or 7 years. digital is great especially when your starting out because you can just delete your mistakes,they dont cost anything except time.

heres some of my favorite shots from the past few years





















my pictures are in 2 places
my smugmug account http://www.jeffcohen.smugmug.com
and my flickr account which has many more shots http://www.flickr.com/photos/rdking647/sets/