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read to what the people who write the post above. they're giving you a good advice.

From me to you - I'd suggest you to go to photography class first. I think at that point you're gonna need a good 35mm film camera - and I couldn't think anything else better than a Nikon FM10.

Do a lot of practice, and don't give up when you're stuck (I have been stuck a few times but fortunately I just love taking pictures too much), and practice.

Good luck!

The most expensive, technologically advanced pro-level camera will not make you - or anyone - a professional photographer. The camera is a tool, just like a hammer or saw or socket wrench set. The person using the tool is the difference-maker. Just as buying a Ferrari will not make you a race car driver, buying a pro-grade camera will not make you a professional photographer.

Before you set out to buy a camera, consider these questions.

Do you understand the relationship between light, ISO, aperture and shutter speed?

Do you know the Rule of Thirds and how to apply it?

Do you know what leading lines are and how to use them?

Do you know what Depth of Field (DOF) is?

Do you know when you'd want minimum DOF and how to achieve it?

Do you know when you'd want maximum DOF and how to achieve it?

Do you know what to do - and how to do it - when your subject is back lit (standing with the light source behind him/her) and you don't want a silhouette, you want to see detail in their face and attire?

Do you know what to do - and how to do it - when your subject is front lit and standing in front of a dark background?

Do you know what Aperture Preferred and Shutter Preferred are? Do you know when you'd use one instead of the other and why?

Do you know what Manual Mode is and how, when and why you'd want to use it?

Do you know what EV is and how, when, and why to use it?

Would you rather make a strong image that was technically bad or a bad image that was technically strong?

You don't have to know the answers to any of these before buying a camera. They are, however, concepts you will have to learn and become proficient with to progress as a photographer.

IMO you should seriously consider a basic 35mm film camera with a 50mm lens. A Minolta SRT-202 or a Canon FTb or a Pentax K1000 are all excellent learning cameras. Be sure the Owner's Manual is included. KEH, B&H, Adorama are all good sources. You can also find these cameras on ebay but you have to ask lots of questions of the seller. HPBooks published "How To Select & Use Minolta (or Canon or Pentax) SLR Cameras". Search ebay and/or amazon.com for a copy written for the camera you choose. It is an excellent resource and supplements the Owner's Manual.

Search for a copy of "Object & Image: An Introduction To Photography, Third Edition" by George M. Craven.

Visit your library and read the photography magazines they have. Pick one you really like and subscribe to it.

Enroll in a photography class at your local high school or community college if one is available. If there are no classes locally, the New York Institute of Photography (nyip.com) offers correspondence courses.

Call local professional photographers and ask if they need an assistant (aka gofer). Offer to work for free. If you're fortunate enough to find such a mentor, remember this: You have two ears, two eyes and one mouth. Watch and listen and don't ask questions when your mentor is working.

ok so you want a camera, one to take with you, one thats good, not junk. You also say you DONT want a big one so forget the DSLR's for now, they are expensive and cost alot more in the long run with all the different lenses youll be wanting. Ok, I cant tell you what you will buy, thats your choice and part of learning Photography.. SO here are some thoughts.

you want at least 8 MP's (for bigger prints)

good performance at high ISO speeds

you want a smaller, lighter body..

you want something with a good rang OPTICAL (not digital, digital zoom is horrible) zoom.. something from the 20MM to 150 or so MM(more or less, you decide)

An aperture of F/2.8 at the largest and about F/16 at the smallest.

you want QUALITY... something with good glass in the lens, not ground up coke and pepsi bottles!!!

A good, clear view finder.

Macro or super Macro mode

A hot shoe for using an external flash.

Anti -shake, it comes in very handy..I know, I have it and it rocks!

Mono pod or tripod, learn it, use it, love it!!

the most important thing your new camera should have, above all else, are..... fully manual controls for everything from shutter speed to Aperture, ISO settings, focus... you should have the option to do it all by hand.

Until you're ready to step-up to a more expensive Digital SLR camera, The Fuji Finepix S6000fd (S6500fd) is pretty damn good and as near as you'll get without actually getting an SLR camera (I just bought the S6500fd... the European model name for it).

http://astore.amazon.com/wormdanglecou-20/detail/B...

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_s...

Here's a few pics I've taken on mine so far:

http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/jduck1979/F...

Get a photography book or two:

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Photography-Dummies/...

Upload your pics for review @ http://www.thephotographersworkshop.com/

Take photography lessons

Have a go at Selling stock photography

http://www.photostockplus.com/red.php?adid=11120&c...

http://www.fotolia.co.uk/partner/92568

if you want a nice SLR i LOVE my Canon Rebel, better yet I bought a Canon Rebel XT D-SLR, which is also as amazing as my 35mm camera, I am in love with them, I carry my case whenever I go to any parties, and its a great conversation starter.

BETTER YET! My lenses I buy fit on BOTH SLR and DSLR Canon's.

I love them

However, we cannot decide whether you should go pro because we dont know how good you are

study photography, buy lenses and bodies, canon and nikon are good, buy lights, flashes, tripods,

study the science of the art, get some clients that will pay for your world travel and snapshots.

if you goto photography school 35 hours a week, study 20 hours on top of that for a few months to a few years you will tend to learn faster with "teachers" teaching you than by your own hit and miss

just my angle on it

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