I've often wondered why the term "Creative Zones" was given to the little dial on most cameras that allow users to switch from one pre-set group of options, to the another. 

For example:  If you want to take a photo of a landscape and you're not really sure how to do this manually - one may turn the dial to select the little mountain symbol, then point and shoot... 

If you REALLY want to be creative, take that camera off of those pre-set groups and put it on "M".

You can certainly use those pre-sets as a "guide" to get your "M" settings close... but don't settle for just one setting!

I recommend you give this a shot if you really want to start having fun with your camera.

It's all DIGITAL anyways.. so you can delete the mistakes and re-shoot (immediately).

Good shooting to you all!

Mike Walters

mike@piphotography.biz