Rank Amateur Photography enthusiast looking to improve. I entered into the realm of photography in March of 2011 having no previous knowledge or experience in photography. I purchased my first camera, a Nikon D3100 with Nikkor 18mm-105mm AF VR Lense, that same month while on deployment in Afghanistan. I am working hard to develop as a photographer, and hope to catch some very memorable moments while here. Any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to posting new pictures and viewing everyone's photos for creative and technical inspiration. That's about it.

Have currently added:

Nikon Coolpix P7000

Nikkor 35mm 1.8. AF-S,

Nikkor 50mm 1.8 AF, 52 thread (d'oh)

Nikkor 70-300mm AF-S, 67 thread

Nikon SB-900

Nikon SB-26 x 2

Cactus V5 Transceiver x4

Pelican 1514 with padded dividers

Lowepro 202 bag

Manfrotto 682B Monopod

Manfrotto JR232C Ballhead

Hoya SHMC multicoat UV Filter 67 thread

B+W multicoat Circular Polarizer 67 thread

Westcott 43" Umbrella (yeah the sort on strobist)

Lightroom 3

shit ton of eneloop 2000mah AA, and 750 mah AAA batteries

Trying to assemble a decent mobile lighting studio with lense kit etc. I plan to be able to go on R&R and take some great shots (thats the dream); i've been practicing and studying. this whole deployment is kind of supposed to be my self appointed apprenticeship in the realm of photography. i figure within 1 year i should have a solid foundation on a lot of the basics, so its mainly me banging out pictures, assembling kit, and practicing technique and changing how my mind sees things. I am really becoming quite passionate about photography. My skills just aren't there yet, but i am really working hard to make it happen.