New to DSLR
Jun 9, 2014 10:35:16 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
Understanding exposure by Bryan Peterson. Get yourself a copy.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Jun 9, 2014 10:38:41 #
When you have a specific question, try the search function on this site. Sometimes that is the fastest path to an answer.
Or, if you want to provide some of us another opportunity to spout wisdom, feel free to post another question. We don't mind.
Well most of us don't mind. :wink:
Or, if you want to provide some of us another opportunity to spout wisdom, feel free to post another question. We don't mind.
Well most of us don't mind. :wink:
Jun 10, 2014 05:54:59 #
Take some local classes or on line if that's not available. Also David Busch's guide to the Nikon (specific camera). I have the one for the D5100 and for my D7100. His books are very detailed on the specific camera and general photography. Very well explained. These books are your manual expanded beyond what the manual gives you. There like super manuals.
Michael
Michael
Jun 10, 2014 07:11:34 #
Here is a contrary opinion. I believe the three most important factors in good photography are composition (positioning of subject, camera and lighting), focus and timing. What good is perfect exposure if the subject is posed wrong? What good is perfect composition if the focus is off? What good is perfect composition and focus if the shutter was triggered a second too late? And none of these factors can be automated. Your camera is pretty good at automating exposure, ISO and shutter. At the beginning, concentrate on the three factors that are photographer dependent, and let the camera make the mathematical calculations. It will not be far off ideal. Master the art first, then tweak the camera settings if necessary.
Jun 10, 2014 07:19:28 #
Just go to YOUTUBE AND ASK ANYTHING about you camera and you will get the answers.
Jun 10, 2014 07:21:21 #
Jun 10, 2014 07:21:57 #
You may wish to attend a beginners workshop that instructs in the operation of a DSLR. This workshop will familiarize you with your camera, and give you confidence in using it.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Mulley wrote:
I am new to my DSLR and need tons of advice. I really don't know much about the different settings and using my Nikon D5300. Any help on where and how to begin to use and understand will be greatly appreciated.
Jun 10, 2014 07:30:42 #
I would start in Auto and just enjoy the camera. Try Macro mode, Sport mode, Portrait mode, etc. Read the manual for each non-auto camera mode. Then proceed to P mode. After you understand P mode go to AV and TV modes. It took me a year and a half to fully understand my camera and move to full M mode. It was such fun learning a new craft.
Jun 10, 2014 07:32:27 #
Jun 10, 2014 07:45:07 #
RicknJude wrote:
Until you learn some of the jargon and acronyms the manual will be a tough read. Try the D5300 for Dummies book first. These books are easy to read and loaded with the info you need.
I second that!!!
Jun 10, 2014 07:50:15 #
First off, welcome!
Although there's no film, a spare battery (or two!) sure do come in handy. I discovered this when my first planned "shoot" ended prematurely due to the battery going out.
That's my two cents. Feel free to post away- lots of good advice to be had. I think I've only had my camera for about two months, and there's a ton to learn. And, in some ways, if you've shot 35mm before, the learning curve may be even steeper... but, it can be done.
To sum up, shoot first and ask questions later! :idea:
Although there's no film, a spare battery (or two!) sure do come in handy. I discovered this when my first planned "shoot" ended prematurely due to the battery going out.
That's my two cents. Feel free to post away- lots of good advice to be had. I think I've only had my camera for about two months, and there's a ton to learn. And, in some ways, if you've shot 35mm before, the learning curve may be even steeper... but, it can be done.
To sum up, shoot first and ask questions later! :idea:
Jun 10, 2014 08:25:45 #
I don't believe anyone else has suggested the great free video series at http://www.Photographycourses.biz. Welcome to UHH.
Walt
Walt
Jun 10, 2014 08:38:49 #
Mulley wrote:
I am new to my DSLR and need tons of advice. I really don't know much about the different settings and using my Nikon D5300. Any help on where and how to begin to use and understand will be greatly appreciated.
Take your time,and don't worry about your mistakes. Everybody makes them. Even the best of the pros make them. Learn from your errors. For instance, What caused you to "cut"some ones head off ? Maybe it was a simple composition mistake. Maybe the subject moved. As long as you learn why, you are more likely to do better. Maybe you take a photo of some one and everything is right but when looking at the photo you notice that it looks like there is a tree growing out of the subject's ear. We have all done something like that. Thats the reason the camera has a delete button. Again learn from your mistakes and don't be afraid to make them. But as many have said have fun. Practice, read, practice. Ask questions. The Hog is a great resource. Thats the reason were all here.
Jun 10, 2014 08:52:20 #
Mulley wrote:
I am new to my DSLR and need tons of advice. I really don't know much about the different settings and using my Nikon D5300. Any help on where and how to begin to use and understand will be greatly appreciated.
Greetings Mulley, and welcome to the UHH!
I've seen a few good recommendations for you already, so to further confuse things, here's mine. Get David Busch's Nikon D5300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography:
http://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-Nikon-Digital-Photography/dp/1305106679/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1402404631&sr=8-3
I bought his book for my Canon EOS 6D, and it really helped a lot.
Jun 10, 2014 08:53:10 #
Mulley wrote:
I am new to my DSLR and need tons of advice. I really don't know much about the different settings and using my Nikon D5300. Any help on where and how to begin to use and understand will be greatly appreciated.
Welcome to photography and the UHH! Your owners manual for the D5300 is, of course, always a great place to begin. If you have a smart phone or tablet that you constantly have with you I would recommend copying the manual to one or both of those devices. You will want to refer back to it a lot in the upcoming weeks. :D
Two books that have already been mentioned to you bear bring up again: Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" and "D5300 for Dummies". These two books help explain the dynamics of exposure as well as the controls of your specific camera in easy-to-understand language that wont leave you with a headache after you have read them for a while. Highly recommended reading.
And as everyone else has said, start taking pictures, even if it's just the chair across the room. Take a picture, change a setting and take the same picture again. It may seem goofy to you now, but as you see how changing the settings affects a simple picture of, say, a couch pillow or a dandelion in the backyard, you will have a better understanding of how to set your camera when shooting something near-and-dear to you later.
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