Fdd, for close-ups try puting your camera on the "macro" setting. I have three digital cameras two point and shoot style and one big daddy SLR that I can change lenses on. The two point and shoots are a fuji FinePix and a Cannon Elf. On them there is a little icon that looks like a flower from super mario bros (the one that gives you the fireball power), it's on the little circle selector on the back. On other camera's it may be in a menu somewhere, but usually it's with the portrait, outdoor/indoor, landscape settings. Once your in "macro" setting the camera will adjust it's lenses to foucs on objects less than 3 feet away. I also suggest turning off the automatic flash since the falsh is built to be used at 6+ feet distance it can wash out a close-up. My fuji will actually focus on stuff 2-3 inches away while the cannon seems to have a minimum distance of 4-5 inches. The pics in my gallery were taken with my SLR and a zoom lens from 6 feet away but you'll get a similar effect with the macro setting on the point and shooters. Let me know if you got any q's and I'll try and help you out.