a photo after adjusting the settings on my panasonic dmc-fz8

Very nice work on getting your image correct in the camera and your goal should be almost no work in Photoshop. Is your an interchangeable lens camera? If so you can look into a f/2.8 to f/1.4 aperture lens. the reason is Bokeh. That is when your focus is shortened to your subject and the foreground and background are out of focus giving your image depth. This works well outside in your garden or when taking a portrait. Nice work and more importantly, have fun with your camera. I have attached a few samples of Bokeh

great photos. my camera has a fixed lens.

Andrew, by fixed lens do you mean it has one that can't be removed or a fixed focal length? If so, that's not a problem. You still have all of the controls every photographer with a camera has had for 100 years. A fixed lens camera just means you either can't change the lens, or if it's a fixed focal length, that it will always be a wide angle, a "normal" focal length (as the eye sees something), or a telephoto.

Even if a fixed focal length, there may be ways around that by using a converter on the end of the lens. With my old Sony DSC f828 I have 2 converters that allow super close ups and another to double my focal length. It wouldn't surprise me if you found them to fit your lens.

Andrew, by fixed lens do you mean it has one that can't be removed or a fixed focal length? If so, that's not a problem. You still have all of the controls every photographer with a camera has had for 100 years. A fixed lens camera just means you either can't change the lens, or if it's a  fixed focal length, that it will always be a wide angle, a "normal" focal length (as the eye sees something), or a telephoto.  

Even if a fixed focal length, there may be ways around that by using a converter on the end of the lens. With my old Sony DSC f828 I have 2 converters that allow super close ups and another to double my focal length. It wouldn't surprise me if you found them to fit your lens.

I cannot change the lens.

Again, that's no big deal. I can't on my camera either, but my Sony has a variable focal length lens, does yours?

Again, that's no big deal. I can't on my camera either, but my Sony has a variable focal length lens, does yours?

I'm not really sure what that is yet..I'd have to look into it.

Does it adjust from a wide angle to a telephoto?

Does it adjust from a wide angle to a telephoto?

Brian, looking it up, Andrew's camera seems to have a 36-432 mm (35 mm equivalent) 12x optical zoom lens. I hope this helps.

Thanks.

There's nothing wrong with that Andrew. It should be quite capable.

Fixed lenses actually have a few advantages. Since the detecting chip develops static electricity and that attracts dust, having a sealed unit makes a great deal of sense.

The downside is that if one is well healed and likes fast lenses one is stuck with what came with the camera.