Newbie to the trade...
Dec 27, 2013 08:00:28 #
Hi...I've always had a passion for photography but have only dabbled along my life journey. I'd like to learn more about the craft. I have a NikonD3100 camera and love it. I don't have a clue about how it works beyond auto focus and the dial settings. I'm looking for ways to get started and develop my eye and knowledge of the equipment. I love close-up/detail and am thinking about a zoom lens. Any advice would be appreciate as I explore this new world......Thanks. :D
Dec 27, 2013 08:14:22 #
Welcome!
Read Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, it's one of the best starting points for anyone wanting to learn more about how to take pictures in all types of situations. I still refer back to it and I've been seriously shooting since 2007.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Edition-Photographs/dp/0817439390
I also recommend learning one dial mode at a time, starting with aperture mode. However, I'd also recommend a nifty fifty lens to get the full understanding of how to control depth of field.
I think this would work with the 3100
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-NIKKOR-Digital-Cameras/dp/B004Y1AYAC
Read Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, it's one of the best starting points for anyone wanting to learn more about how to take pictures in all types of situations. I still refer back to it and I've been seriously shooting since 2007.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Edition-Photographs/dp/0817439390
I also recommend learning one dial mode at a time, starting with aperture mode. However, I'd also recommend a nifty fifty lens to get the full understanding of how to control depth of field.
I think this would work with the 3100
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-NIKKOR-Digital-Cameras/dp/B004Y1AYAC
Dec 27, 2013 08:26:28 #
Hi Cdouthitt,
Thank you for the information. I am an Amazon user and have added your suggestions to my Wish List. I had been looking at the telephoto lens on Amazon Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens, but should prob start with some reading and the 50mm? I love good reference books, have a library of reading on all my hobbies.
Thank you for the information. I am an Amazon user and have added your suggestions to my Wish List. I had been looking at the telephoto lens on Amazon Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens, but should prob start with some reading and the 50mm? I love good reference books, have a library of reading on all my hobbies.
Dec 27, 2013 08:29:14 #
Get out the manual. Read books and watch videos on photography. Learn one mode at a time. Then practice, practice, practice until it becomes automatic. Learn about composition, lighting, DOF, the basic principals of photography, etc. It has taken me almost 2 years to learn about half of what my camera and lenses are capable of. I think that becoming proficient at photography is an ongoing thing. You never stop learning.
Dec 27, 2013 08:39:10 #
I'm a fan of fast lenses...the more light they let in, the lower the iso can be, thus resulting IQ (image quality) should be better...not to mention, it's much easier to isolate your object, while surrounding it with some creamy bokeh. I also have a tendency to not want to use a flash and rely on ambient light sources, unless its absolutely necessary...the faster lenses help with that. Being a prime lens, you'll also learn a lot more about the importance of framing your shot, and physically moving your body (with your feet) closer and further away from your subject.
Anyhow, that's just me, don't let me sway your decision away from a zoom lens. I have those too as well, but they were all bought after my 50mm.
Anyhow, that's just me, don't let me sway your decision away from a zoom lens. I have those too as well, but they were all bought after my 50mm.
Dec 27, 2013 08:50:29 #
Welcome to the Hog. Best I can tell you is take lots of pictures and ask specific questions when the results don't meet your expectation. I too recommend Petersons "Understanding Exposure". One of the very best written, easy to read, well illustrated and lots of common sense. ;)
Dec 27, 2013 09:05:49 #
Welcome newbieMN. I hope your name becomes a paradox; I really like the composition of your avatar ;-)
Dec 27, 2013 12:52:54 #
Hi All!
Thanks for your responses. I wish I had someone to help me...might see about signing up for some classes. You all are so advanced. I don't even know what software to use for editing. Right now I just use Microsoft Office Picture Manager.
Thanks for your responses. I wish I had someone to help me...might see about signing up for some classes. You all are so advanced. I don't even know what software to use for editing. Right now I just use Microsoft Office Picture Manager.
Dec 27, 2013 13:03:52 #
newbieMN wrote:
I just use Microsoft Office Picture Manager.
CRINGE!
We all have our favorites...I like Lightroom, but there is a learning curve to it...but you can download it for a free 30 day trial. It's really great for batch work (editing a lot of photos at once).
Dec 27, 2013 13:05:07 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
CRINGE!
We all have our favorites...I like Lightroom, but there is a learning curve to it...but you can download it for a free 30 day trial. It's really great for batch work (editing a lot of photos at once).
We all have our favorites...I like Lightroom, but there is a learning curve to it...but you can download it for a free 30 day trial. It's really great for batch work (editing a lot of photos at once).
Ditto. ;)
Dec 27, 2013 13:10:55 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
CRINGE!
We all have our favorites...I like Lightroom, but there is a learning curve to it...but you can download it for a free 30 day trial. It's really great for batch work (editing a lot of photos at once).
We all have our favorites...I like Lightroom, but there is a learning curve to it...but you can download it for a free 30 day trial. It's really great for batch work (editing a lot of photos at once).
I'm sure I'll get a lot of CRINGE's!!! :) And it better to be ignorant than stupid. I'll check out Lightroom.
Dec 28, 2013 06:15:02 #
Dec 28, 2013 06:35:52 #
Dec 28, 2013 08:32:06 #
Dec 28, 2013 12:47:23 #
newbieMN wrote:
Hi...I've always had a passion for photography but have only dabbled along my life journey. I'd like to learn more about the craft. I have a NikonD3100 camera and love it. I don't have a clue about how it works beyond auto focus and the dial settings. I'm looking for ways to get started and develop my eye and knowledge of the equipment. I love close-up/detail and am thinking about a zoom lens. Any advice would be appreciate as I explore this new world......Thanks. :D
Hi newbie, welcome to the hog. As you can see, there are many people here to help you in your quest to learn how to use your Nikon. Take everyones advice and then check out what you want. We are all here to help you.
Rich
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