Suallie

Hello, I am new to anything other than point and shoot. Over 2 years ago I bought a Nikon D200 with an 18-200mm lens and 50mm lens and have through trial and error taken some decent shots but want to know how to truly capture the colors I am seeing in a sunset or the ice glistening on trees. They don't even look like what my eye sees, its disappointing. I've kinda read thru the manual and I get mixed up when I read about F- stops, shutter speeds, etc. and find it confusing, suggestions? Should I try to just learn one basic thing then take on another as I master that? Thanks in advance

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

If available at a community college near you, many offer a course/s in photography. These courses are often titled something like “basic photography” or “understanding digital cameras.”

ronf78155 Loc: Seguin Texas

Get the book "Photography For Dummies" ........ it's a fantastic step by step instructional on the basics of photography !
Oh yea.......read, study and learn it's teachings...

Suallie

Sounds like I should be "studying". Thankfully it's digital, so I'm not paying for film and losing money. Will check library for that book, thanks

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

If you tell us the area you live in we might help you find a club. The might you both help and support.

Suallie

Thanks, I might consider that.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

First thing first, you need to learn the basics of photography. You have to understand what aperture and shutter speeds do and you need to understand and learn to use the exposure meters. I could tell you right now that using matrix metering will fail to get a correct exposure in a large proportion of cases.
Exposure meters are easily fooled and you need to know when they are going to fail. It seems difficult but it is not with some basic understanding of how a meter works and what to do to correct its mistakes. It is also very important to understand your camera. You need to learn it reading the instructions book. The colors of the D200 are among the best colors I have seen with Nikon cameras.
Look at this shot that I just posted. I used spot metering of the bright yellow area and I opened the lens by 1 stop of light. The rest was enhanced during editing but I started out with a correct exposure. By the way, I used my 18-200 VR lens.
I am not going to tell you what you have to do to get bright colors and a pretty accurate representation of the scene you saw because it will confuse you even more.
Follow my advise and get info from the Internet, a camera club if there is one in your area and from photography books in your library. An experienced shooter can also help you to get started.
We all started like you.

(Download)

Suallie

Worcester MA

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

From the reviews, your camera is "capable" of taking good pictures. First question, what are you viewing them on? A decent quality computer monitor is a must. Next, study study study, practice practice practice. For sunsets, try the Scene mode for sunsets and look through the camera's menu choices to see what settings it applied, then do a bit of study to figure out why it did that. Usually the settings are designed to enhance the colors. You could also post your photos on this forum so they can be downloaded and analyzed using "store original" for the attachment to your post. There is a photo analysis section on the forum.

Suallie

camerapapi, beautiful picture. Thanks, yes I will look at my manual with camera in hand, then it should make more sense, eventually.

radiomantom Loc: Plymouth Indiana

By all means check to see if you have a camera club in your area. They are without doubt a real asset to anyone wanting to learn photography. Most clubs are made up from advanced amateurs to beginners like yourself. Good luck. Also you might pick up a copy of "Understanding Exposure" by Brian Peterson.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Suaille, Welcome. For the basics, I would read your instruction book or buy a book on your D200. Practice each concept.
David Busch books are great that go above and beyond your instruction booklet.
https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D200-Digital-Field-Guide/dp/0470037482/ref=pd_sbs_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0470037482&pd_rd_r=NARZAMJN8N9TW20VYW7H&pd_rd_w=jRIUj&pd_rd_wg=3YEXo&psc=1&refRID=NARZAMJN8N9TW20VYW7H

Bottom line have fun

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

As others have suggested books, classes, study. Sunsets and Ice Crystals are rather hard subject to start to light and know the needed exposure and technique and learn about photography with. Learning to use your meter even when on automated settings can be challenging. You'd be better off starting to photograph a field of flowers, a hill, house, automobile. Also knowing how to properly use Autofocus and Manual Focus is vitally important. Ice, that might have driven me nuts back in 1978.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

Stunning Digital Photography is an excellent book.

Joe Blow

A community college or even a high school extension course are good places to start. Once you've learned the basics, the creative part will find a way to come out on its own.

A secondary place would be on-line. While good, I put it secondary as I believe one learns more when they can get instant feedback from an instructor. https://digital-photography-school.com is a suggested, but not the only, on-line resource.

Welcome and good luck.