thanks for the complements. no NE, i scaled and photoshoped for background use.
pete, i didn't know you could get the pics in a raw format. ill have to try that.
i'm going to try and borrow my friend's underwater housing for his D50 for surfing today. hopefully he'll trust me so i can post some nice pics, the surf has been incredible lately.
edit: oh yeah, i'm going to buy the tripod, seeing as i've just gotten the nicest gift i've ever recieved