The light source will actually be a laser pointer, I am testing with a flashlight and ambient lighting. Right now I am doing basic tests to get the circuit working with a cheap photo-diode before using a more expensive one in the actual circuit(which will require some tuning). I want to monitor it's intensity which does varry in my application. I was under the impression that photodiodes in general have quicker response times then phototransistors. Response time is also important for my application. Although I am sure a phototransistor could be used here, I believe that the problem I am running into is solvable and see no reason to turn back now. Thanks for sharing your results though, I may consider it if I get stuck here.
I am trying to get a better resolution in the 'low' end of my signal response from the photodiode to my operational amplifier circuit as stated in the original post. for output voltages(guesstimating) of about 0-0.25V my op-amp circuit gives readings of about 0-0.09V(decreased signal out-put after amplification?). While for readings of about 0.35-0.60V I get an amplified analog potential of about 1-5V? I am not sure what is wrong or how to improve my amplification in the lower end voltage range. As my application will only actually recieve 0-0.25V input voltages and I would like to see it amplified too 0-2.5V or 0-5.0V for the arduino analog in. Hopefully that clarifies what I am asking.