DerBiermeister Loc: North of Richmond VA

As I said in the Introduction forum, I am brand new to DSLR (or SLR). As a retired EE, I hope I am smart enough to pick up on all the various techniques in perfecting pictures if I work at it. I realize that I'm going to have to use the camera on a regular and frequent basis (even if I have no real need for taking a picture) in order for it all to become second nature. That will be my goal -- to get to a point where I can zip through the menu settings for different types of pictures without any struggle.

I have another week to go before receiving the new camera. Right now I am watching the youtube tutorials. I was lucky in that the first one I watched happened to put cameras into the perspective of involving only three main areas -- shutter speed, aperture openings, and ISO sensitivities, and that adjustments to one of those will result in the need for changes to the other two. Keeping that always conscious in my mind will help the learning process.

All of the tutorials start off with simple stuff but quickly move into the "unknown". I am finding that it would be a LOT easier if I had the camera in hand while watching the tutorials.

One thing I have read: my new camera (Nikon 5300) is not the most user friendly on the manual settings. Extra steps involved with buttons and scrolls vs say a Canon. Plus there is no touch-screen ability. Because of this, I did something that may seem ridiculous -- I bought the red version of the camera, thinking that the black buttons and controls will stand out and be easier to locate quickly. Time will tell if there is a method to my madness.

I bought one of these packages that has a lot of peripheral stuff -- things like an external flash, a tripod, remote control, etc. Learning to use a flash properly is another whole topic by itself. I know from using my old point-and-shoot camera that I never was able to take any good pictures with a flash.

Any tips on how to learn would be greatly welcomed. Thanks for listening to my ramble.
DB

Adicus Loc: New Zealand

How to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Just take it slowly and you will get there, as I can tell from your post that you are mad keen to learn .

Jim Bob

It's difficult to provide tips on "how to learn" because I don't know how you learn best. May I suggest you start with the owner's manual. The 5300 is a great camera but as with many other Nikon offerings, they lean toward those who like embedded menus and fiddling with dials. You could check out reviews by Thom Hogan and Ken Rockwell as two examples of guys who frequently provide insight not covered by the manuals. And there is always you tube.

Bill_de Loc: US

Lesson one - stop thinking like an EE and start thinking like an artist. :lol:

Welcome aboard!

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DerBiermeister Loc: North of Richmond VA

Thanks -- I will do so. I usually find however that owner's manuals are not structured well for learning. They may have all the information within, but do not take you through a logical learning process.

I will definitely check out the reviewers you mentioned -- in fact, I will do that now.
:)

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

When your camera arrives and you beginning shooting, take an extra minute and make notes in a small note book. You can review the image after hitting the shutter and get the image number generated by th camera.
Make notes about light conditions, sunny, cloudy, bright, flat, etc. the camera will download other key data like shutter speed, ISO AND aperature plus probably lens length which is nice when using a zoom.

All of this will help you evaluate you images once you get them on the screen.

Then after getting some experience with all of the above, you can then setup scenarios such has taking the same image with a fast shutter speed and again with a slow shutter speed, same exercise with aperature as well.

One other option to play withis the White Balance setting. Your camera will have options for average, daylight, shade or cloudy etc. again, shoot the same scene with multiple WB settings.

This is plenty to get started with, maybe too much even. Best of all, have fun and enjoy.

DerBiermeister Loc: North of Richmond VA

Now THAT is good advice!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I love Bill_d's advice. That will be a challenge as it seems we have quite a divide between folks who are much more into the technical side (pixel peeping, sharp at 100%) and those who value composition and creativity as #1, and who "bother" with exposure and other technical issues just enough to get by :)

The peripherals you bought may turn out to be less than satisfactory as some places bundle a whole lot of really cheap stuff and sell it at a high cost - hopefully, that didn't happen to you.

And also please know there are many, many, many photographers who do not shoot in full manual mode. Believe me, it's not necessary for beautiful, memorable images. There are many "half way" modes where you select one or two of the settings and let the camera do the rest. Unless you get into extreme lighting conditions, these will serve you well.

Enjoy your journey!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

There are some books that may help with the curve. Darrell Young's "Mastering The Nikon D5300" and/or "David Busch's Nikon D5300 Guide To Digital SLR Photography" both go in to greater detail and have better explanations than the manual that comes with the camera. "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson is very helpful in learning the exposure triangle and in getting off Auto and using Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

A good book that has helped a lot of newbies is "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson but watching You tube with camera in hand will get you there also. a couple of nice things about digital is you get instant results and the use of the pixels is free.

Bill_de Loc: US

Here is a link to download the manuals for your camera. It is usually easier to do a search in a PDF than a paper version.

http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/25/D5300.html

Nikon does do a pretty good job.

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dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

don't be afraid to put your body at different levels. not just standing up. like when shooting children get down to their level also. :thumbup:

kmohr3 Loc: Rockford, IL

For a more comprehensive learning guide, get David Busch's book for the Nikon D5300. It's camera specific and covers theory as well. Start at the beginning and read and understand as you go. This will bring you up to speed fast, by the time you're halfway through it you'll be comfortable with the camera.

http://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-Nikon-Digital-Photography/dp/1305106679

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

First check your local school for adult classes. Thats how I started, its so much easier when you have someone to answer a question when your stuck. I toook a few courses from local schools and am currently in an advanced class, though , so far I know all they have taught, I do pick up a few tips every now n then

Next Local Library and see if they have THE GREAT COURSES PHOTOGRAPHY its 4 dvd's and its an excellent course.

last having a 5200 , I am familiar with your camera and settings, if you get stuck, please feel free to send me a message. I'm on usually 2 or 3 times a day GL

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

Don't be afraid to try - it is very unlikely that the result will go up in smoke😊!

Seriously, read the manuals, watch the videos and experiment.

Above all, have fun.

Bill