I wanted to thank you all for the advice. Until recently, I've been shooting in JPEG Fine at Parameter 1, importing into the computer and leaving them at that (resizing some of course to reduce file size for those rather unartistic "snapshots"). I've since began experimenting with the different parameter settings as well as shooting some in RAW (which is limited by my only cf card of 256mb) and trying my mouse and some post-processing. I think I've been able to improve upon my pictures somewhat but last night I picked up a copy of Tom Ang's "Digital Photographer's Handbook." So maybe by the time I finish reading that book I will have improved upon at least SOMETHING.

As for the artistic composition, I'll take that advice into mind as well. So far, most of my compositions have been snapshots or look like them at least. But I guess practice makes...better.

Thanks again, and I'll post some newer pictures and hopefully better attempts in the future.