I have a Sony A350 and bought a hand strap about a year ago off ebay when I developed repeditive strain injury in my wrist. It makes the camera so much easier for using and particularly for carrying around, as it gives that extra little bit of comfort for the user and allows you to stretch your hand without having to let it hang on your neck.
It makes the camera easier to carry too as you can walk for long periods with in hanging comfortably in your hand as opposed to the weight of it around your neck.
Thanks for the comments/tips, I am still learning but I do take your points on board. To be honest, I am hoping to take photography as an elective in college this coming September so I can learn how to take a better shot with the fore/mid/background and what to look out for in a photo.
I am still learning, so this site gives me a lot of tips and tricks to try out for future shots.
I was thinking that myself at the time when I took the shots but only recently got a polarising filter as all I had that day was a uv filter, will be out their again no doubt taking a few more shots.