alton Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

I have a Nikon D7000 and you have received some great advice on your focusing issue. Your camera is amazing and very complex. In your post you mentioned "locking the focus" but you didn't indicate in what "mode" you locked it. Your camera has multiple focus modes from single point to dynamic. There is way too little information for me to try to help your specific issue but I would venture to give you another option to help with the camera. Blue Crane Digital makes a video titled "Nikon D7000 Basic Controls" This video is fantastic! I have had my camera for over a year and have taken thousands of photos with it and I learned a great deal from this video about the camera and photography. It is very well done and explains every feature of the camera and also explains ISO, Focus, depth of field and many others. I have no affiliation what so ever with this company but this is a great video for anyone with a D7000. The video is very professional and you find out about half way through the video that it was shot entirely with a D7000!. Anyway some food for thought and I hope that you resolve your problem and get great pictures!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I have the Blue Crane video on Canon Speedlite strobes and it is a great video; so I will git it a thumbs up too.

Try using a tripod when photographing people. Try shooting in Aperatur Priority and don't use a wide open lens. Try using F5.6 to F8 to start. The focus point can be changed in most cameras from multiple points, to a single point of focus. If using a single point of focus, move the point to the top, focus on the eyes of the subject, make sure you are back far enough to get the entire person in the frame. It's also best to use an external strobe when shooting people. The built in flash leaves a lot to be desired. Learn all you can about composition. Look at other photographers work and see how they place the subject in the frame. Nothing wrong with directing the subject to pose a certain way for the picture. Most straight on shots are undesireable. Have then pose a turned a little.

To get great shots of people:
1. use a tripod
2. use a strobe
3. pose and compose the subject
4. try different lighting for effect

BarbC

I have the D7000. I got the book by David Busch it is easier to read than the manual because it goes into more detail in the explanation. I just love it. I bought his guide too and keep it in my camera bag. The best thing is the camera club I belong to has trips where a bunch go out and shoot somewhere. Professionals to beginners. That's what is helping me you ask right there in the moment and they show you it's great. They also have all kinds of workshops on everything photography. Look for a photography club.

Bob Curtis Loc: Bay City, TX

Don't feel sorry about feeling "twenty years older." I am 81 going on 82 before too long. I have been a pro for over 20 years, taught classes on photography, and taken bunches of photos that have won prizes, and some that have not, so I can understand your problem. The main thing is learning how to operate you camera, how to get the best results, and then, since you are now digital, a little bit about developing your digital photos using either Photoshop (the best available) or another brand so that you can understand just how to make them look better. There is so much to learn, but it is all worth while after you get the hang of it. Be sure to post some of your photos as this will help most of us understand the mistakes you made and point them out to you more easily and you will be better able to understand what we are talking about. Welcome to the "Ugly Headgehog"

Bob Curtis

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I agree with Bob. Getting the "hang" of it is the real goal.
I would also suggest some good articles on the web, there's thousands of them available... they should help as well.

I find that with my digital cameras it's really simple and easy to go on a location and run off 100 exposures. It's great practice especially if you use different settings and understand what they're doing to the photos you're taking.

Later, when you look at them, if you have one you like then you've succeeded because they're only digital files.

Then look closely at the exif data to remember what you did at that particular location given lighting, the subject and so on. Keeping that data in mind the next time can help quite a bit. Also piddle around with framing, composition, on tripod, off tripod, all that kind of thing and do OJT - On the Job Training - the very best way to learn.

As I say, don't limit yourself thinking if I can't get this in one shot I can't get it - that's not necessary at all because as I say they're only digital files so discard what you don't like, keep and learn from what you do keep.

Have fun, keep shooting / learning. Jim

nikondaddy Loc: Mayfield,Kentucky

If you were given a Mercedes to drive and you could drive a little would you be satisfied looking a a book about how to drive it. The D-7000 is a camera that with practice could be used to turn pro. The best way to learn to use a camera is to take it out of the box and start taking photos n all the modes tuill you liker what you getting. I am a pro and reading books I did 50 years ago but who needs a book when you got a camera with a preview window and erase button on it. Digital is not that complicated but poeple are those that sell book make a fortune out of people who think so. forget the book use the sdhutter button andyour eye and write your own ticket and book .

Dan821 Loc: Traveling........

Hello Yayi,
Congratulations on receiving a great camera! However, the D7000 is a LOT of camera for a beginner. You have received lots of great advice here so I won't repeat those points. The only thing that I can add is to ask if you are using the "creative Photography" modes? You indicated that the "whole person" was not in focus. I would start with just basic "Auto" mode, with your lens in Auto and VR on. If you have a tripod, use it to get your camera steady. If the subject is still out of focus, try changing the metering to spot or center (check your manual for this).
Did you check/change your view through the viewfinder with the Diopter adjuster?
You might even do a reset of the camera default shooting settings (page 151 in user manual).
Again, don't feel overwhelmed or afraid to ask questions. We all had to start somewhere! :)

MtnMan Loc: ID

Your advice on getting out and using the camera is certainly good.

Your advice on not reading up on it maybe worth the price. Did you advise the guy in Utah who won the Lamborghini?

yayi Loc: Florida

Thanks again to all of you... I just posted as my pic, my cat, Mike... I took this pic like a month ago...
Maybe I didn't express myself correctly. I take really good portraits, but when I want to take the whole body, even if I focus on the eyes, the shot is not as sharp as it should be.
I think Emrob62 is right... I'm moving the camera during the shot... don't know...but if that is the case...why the body is sharp and no the face? I do not shoot in AUTO, I shoot manual... I want to upload some pics for you guys to see, but I don't know how. :(

yayi Loc: Florida

got it

MtnMan Loc: ID

Hi,

Below where you typed your note you will see three lines under the heading "File/picture attachments:"

You can post three pics at a time; one on each line.

First check the box over on the right but to the left of "(store original)". Make sure that check mark is there when you later click "Send".

Then click the "Browse" button on that line and go find your pic on your compter and click "OK".

Then click the Send box under your note.

If you want a title on the pic you can fill in the white box to the left of where your picture file name starts.

Your picture didn't post; most likely because you did not check "(store original)". There is a file size limitation if you don't do that.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Ah, you did post the squirrel...but not with "(store original)" checked. When you do that it only posts a thumbnail and does not carry over the picture detail information with it.

The focus looks pretty good to me on the one you posted! Great shot!

yayi Loc: Florida

My God guys!!! You are the sweetest!!!! So many different things that I don't know where to start to answer.... I love my camera, I'm new at this digital world, but I have (still have) a Canon A1... love to shoot with it.
This camera is heavier and bigger, just got a tripod and I'm pretty sure this would help.
Thanks for all the advice.

yayi Loc: Florida

Thank you so much Bob...

yayi Loc: Florida

sorry.. this one has the store original checked...I think.. thanks... I'm pretty good with animals...lol