You could get a better "point and shoot" type camera. Yours is pretty sucky (sorry dear). Even mine is quicker.

the Issues with a point and shoot flash, is that they fire straight at the subject, which is an un-natural light and not very flattering, with an SLR (which itself will have better low light capability) paired with a hot shoe mounted flash gun, you can diffuse and bounce the light (ie off a ceiling), making it much more natural, just remember, most kit lenses are crap and youll need to purchase some other ones to get really sharp shots, and your buying into the system of lenses more than the actual camera body.

Have to agree with rubberbirdy.

Early shots on my gallery with with a point-and-shoot camera. Cheap, with decent enough results.

With an SLR however, you will instantly notice a marked improvement in image quality. Pair this with a decent lense and lighting and you will soon be shooting great images.

Save up for a starter level SLR, and if possible, a decent lense.

--
Check Out Our Gallery : [link]

Even a Digital SLR's built in flash will give you many of the same problems with light. When it comes to lighting, you're working with a whole 'nother realm of gear. You're going to need strobes, umbrellas, lightstands, and all soooorts of other bits and bobs.

I know of one latex photographer who's managed to get good results with just one strobe mounted to a stand triggered from the camera remotely.

And as for SLR's being more complicated to use? Hardly, once you learn the three magic properties of photography and how the relate to each other (Exposure, lens apperture, shutter speed), SLR's are almost infinitely easier to use than a point and shoot type camera. 'fraid you're not going to get far with photography without a firm understanding of those things and how they relate anyway, so you may as well bite the bullet and start learning .

--
Brandish the brandy! Shrouds wave in fury!
Raise the fever pitchers! To our glorious demise!

Hey you - if you're asking if you're art is worth the additional expense to make it even more amazing... Well, I kinda wonder why you feel you have to ask! I think what you're doing is really awesome and while I certainly can't give you advice on photography stuff, I definately think the images you want to create are worth saving up for the best equipment you can afford.

Well, couple of days ago, but tough - I really think that your pictures are wotrh it, because they're really amazing. I'm looking forward to pictures with your new SLR!

It is always worth getting one. I actually bought my compact after my SLR (It is a IXUS [Powershot] 860IS), which is a nice little camera, plenty of features and all the rest of it, but there isn't a day goes by when I use it when I am not wishing I had my SLR instead. Why am I not using the SLR, well size, weight and the fact that it generally intimidates those you are photographing, which doesn't help for those candid shots.

Should you buy one right now? Hmmm. Would be worth checking when they think full frame censors are coming to the bottom end of the SLR range. Current bottom end stuff comes with lenses which aren't compatible with normal full frame SLRs, which means those who mistakingly get lens like that, won't be able to carry on using them in the long run. I bought my SLR a couple of years back and it will tide me over till I get myself a full frame one and most likely the next stage up in camera terms.
That said, a lot of it comes down to how much use you will get out of it. I bought mine when I did because of the holidays I had lined up over the next year or so. For you, if you are wanting to get expand on your kinky photography and you feel your compact is holding you back, then get one! You won't be disappointed.

That just leaves you with the question. Which one?