apdawn Loc: New Orleans, LA

I'm pretty new to photography, but I've been reading lots on composition, lighting, exposure, etc... I seem to struggle most with getting the correct exposure when setting to manual mode. I try to capture my toddler indoors or on cloudy days, but can't seem to get the right shutter speed and aperture. I have a kit 18-55mm f3.5 lense and a 70-200mm f3.5 lense and just purchased (not yet received) a 50 mm f1.8. Any advice on how to improve?

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Try these -

Bryan Peterson's book: Understanding Exposure
Excellent book – the #1 training item recommended by the members of the Ugly Hedge Hog photographers forum.
It’s available as hard copy or eBook…

Understanding Exposure by Picture Correct More tips and tutorials...
How to best utilize your cameras metering mode
The Ultimate Exposure Computer A Guide for Nature Photographers
Flash Photography Step-by-Step
8 flash photography mistakes every photographer makes

MarkD Loc: NYC

First, forget about manual mode. I have two toddler grandchildren (twins) and shooting them indoors without a lot of window light is very difficult. They are in constant motion and the shutter speeds that you need to stop the movement require very high iso's even with fast lenses. When the indoor light is low I use bounce flash. That's a simple technique where you bounce the light from the flash off of a white ceiling or wall. It produces a much nicer and more natural light than direct flash on camera, and the flash freezes the movement.

This requires an accessory flash that tilts and swivels so you can shoot both horizontal and vertical shots.

apdawn Loc: New Orleans, LA

Thanks Mark for your advice... I have a Nikon 5100 but have not purchased a separate flash yet. Is there a mid to low cost one that you would recommend?

apdawn Loc: New Orleans, LA

Thank you very much... I have that book and have enjoyed it, but I'm still getting the practical application part figured out.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

My advice is to continue to practice and get better at manual mode as you can, but when there are fast moving kids or animals around, one of the more automatic modes like Aperture priority or Shutter priority will help you make sure you get the shot.

MarkD Loc: NYC

The Nikon SB-500 costs just under $200 at B&H. The Sunpak DF3000 costs around $70. The SB-500 would be my first choice, but the Sunpak is a decent flash for the price.

Grand Loc: Lebanon, Pa

Yongnuo, nice price.

Jcmarino

If you want to continue to shoot in manual and do not have a flash yet, try this: Place a piece of white paper (an index card works well) in front of the on camera flash to bounce the light up to the ceiling. (ck Youtube - bouncing on camera flash to show you how to cut the paper) Turn flash on. Set your ISO to about 200 - 800 for indoors. Depending on the light, try to stay as low as you can. Cloudy days outside about 200-400 ISO. Set your shutter to 200 (no higher) and watch your light meter in your camera as you set your aperture. You want to be a 0 or slightly under exposed, to the minus side. Take a test shot, review, make adjustments, shoot again. Too contrasty - lower your shutter speed, not enough light- lower your aperture. Petersen's book is an excellent choice to learn more. The more you practice, the faster you get, the better you are at figuring out the settings. When you decide to buy a flash buy Nikon but if you decide to buy another company, make sure it will work with TTL and your model camera. Some off brand flashes require you to shoot the flash in manual.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I second this opinion and also look at Neewer. I got a Neewer for about $40 from Amazon to make sure I really wanted to have a flash. Even at this low price, I can use the camera's onboard flash to trigger this flash as a secondary unit if I want to. It has a flip up white card and a plastic diffuser too, plus you can set it at most any angle to bounce your flash off of low ceilings or walls. It's come in handy already and I'll keep it around even after I move up to a better flash. Hope this helps.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Practice composition and exposure in manual mode with available light (without the additional complication of flash). You have read the book, now shoot, shoot shoot. The proper use of Flash is another variable that will come later.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Having read all the current posts, I say this is the only one that really understands the situation. Telling a novice to use manual exposure is the worst possible advice. If you want to turn off a beginner, tell her or him to shoot manual.

Next advice: buy a brand-name flash in the $400 price range. You need something really dependable and powerful.

More advice: stop buying lenses and learn to use the kit lens and flash.

Even more advice: stop buying how-to books and courses. Instead, go to your public library and pour over the work of famous, historic photographers. Learn to appreciate the great work that established photography as a serious art form. Look at The Family of Man. Cultivate your own sense of what you like in terms of technique and composition and then figure out how to do it for yourself.

Good luck and keep asking for help.

h1h1d4mje

With the little kid moving, try shutter speed for a while.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I'll mention it again. Read Bryan Peterson's, "Understanding Exposure, 3rd. Edition." Make lots of shots. Good luck.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Pay attention to the light meter in the viewfinder, and adjust your aperture and shutter speed accordingly. Although with an active, fast-moving toddler, you probably will have more success with one of the priority modes rather than manual mode. That's what they are there for.