Roll #2 - tests in aperture

So I am a little behind on updating this blog (that's what happens when I get back into work). But bit by bit, I will keep uploading more.
The new set of pics on my Picasa site (titled Roll #2) were taken during the September long weekend. I was excited to get this roll back because it was the first time I had been able to take candid shots of people (and animals)... I couldn't wait to see what they would come out like. I was actually really happy with a lot of the shots that came back. I am realizing that the lens that is on my camera is really well suited to close-up portrait style shots. When I try to take longer distance shots, there isn't really a clear focus; the pictures tend to lack depth and interest. If anyone has tips as to how I can get depth in these shots without needing to change the lens, I am open to suggestions!
The other great thing about this roll of film is that I started to learn how to adjust my shutter speed to control lighting levels (although I am still mastering this art). I also read up on adjusting the aperture and was testing it out. Adjusting the shutter speed will change how quickly shutter opens and closes. The faster the shutter speed, the less light. So generally a fast shutter speed (on my camera the highest shutter speed is 500 or 1/500th of a second) I use for outdoor shots when the sun is shining directly on my shot. The aperture on the other hand controls the size of the diaphram to allow in more or less light (like the iris of your eye). The larger the aperature number, the smaller the size of the diaphram. My camera's aperture varies from 2.8 to 16.

The lower aperture settings (larger diaphram size) allow me to focus on one object while having the surrounding areas "blurred". Using this feature on this roll of film really helped me to get pictures that are more interesting and have more depth and detail. I am still working on balancing the aperture and shutter speed though. Some of the pictures where I had a larger diaprham on the aperture, I didn't have the shutter speed high enough and so the pictures came back washed out.
Overall, this roll of film really motivated me to continue playing with my camera and testing things out. I learned a lot about the capabilities and about some photography techniques. Definitely worth the $2 at the garage sale! More pics to come... (I think I have at least 1 or 2 more rolls after this one to post... and one in the camera that is almost done!)