This is a spalted sweet gum. I pulled her out of the wood pile this week and gave her a spin to see what detail she would give up. My big issue I have been trying to understand this camera. Canon A720. I'm guessing I just dont care for the hole take pictures thing never really has been my cup of tea. So when it comes to focus I understand that. Flash, I'm good. the rest of these terms I'm hearing from people I'm lost. I did try to improve the lighting. I took a big box and lined the inside top with tin foil, I cut two large windows in each side and covered them with a white glossy wrapping paper. ( it's used for taking up space in shipping and was free). I used 2 flex clamp lights with 75wt floods and turned off my flash. I have tried to understand this overexpose stuff but my book doesnt' tell me anything about that. So i just pushed some buttons and took the pics. I'll try reading more in the book when i have time.