LV

Hi!
I’m Linda. I am taking a trip to the Netherlands/Norway. I just purchased a Nikon Coolpix P900 and need to learn this camera quickly. I am a beginner photographer. Any tips would be appreciated!

Say Cheese Loc: Eastern PA

Read the manual with the camera in hand. Take the camera out for a walk and take pictures close to you and distant just as you would on your trip. Go back, reread the manual where you think there are items you do not understand. Experiment with what setting you have. Take lots of pictures, they do not cost anything.

TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York

there is also a book by Alexander White, available on Amazon.

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

Welcome, enjoy you trip. Go out and take lot and lots of pictures before you go. Learn the camera modes and what works best for you.

ELNikkor

Spend 2 hours in your room with only the camera and manual. Go through every menu so you know your options and how to get there.

ltj123 Loc: NW Wisconsin

Check for a YouTube tutorial for your specific camera. I used one and found it helpful even though been shooting for a long long rime....

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

What Cheese said!
With one more point. Be critical of your pictures. Ask yourself if they are ones you want to show others and what will they think (not what will they say ) Every time you step out is an opportunity to improve. Every time you read the instructions is an opportunity to learn. and of course the more you learn........................ Above all be patient with yourself.
And above even that, enjoy the experiences !!!

repleo Loc: Boston

1. You have a good camera. Study a good guide book for it. In particular learn how to select focus points and learn the scene modes for situations like landscape, night shots, portraits etc. You don't have time to learn about exposure triangle and different priority modes. Pick the right 'scene' mode and trust it. Remember to change back to auto when shooting normal shots.

2. Read up on basic principles of composition. The Photographer's Eye: Graphic Guide: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos by Michael Freeman is a great, easy to follow book on composition.

3. What you can eliminate from a shot is just as important that what you add in. - Watch your background, corners, overhead wires, poles coming out of heads etc. Maneouver around to find an angle with the least distractions from your main subject.

3. Just because your camera has a 2000mm zoom doesn't mean you should use it all. It takes a lot of skill to get a good clear shot on a long zoom. Move in closer instead of zooming in.

4. Spend as much time as you can practising before you go.

5. Most important - enjoy your trip and post pics here when you get back.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

welcome to the Hog Linda, enjoy.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Welcome to the UHH. You’ll get a lot of helpful information here.
I have this camera. It takes great pictures and has a very far reach; 2000X, but only with Digital zoom. I’d suggest turning the digital zoom off unless you have a very bright day.
I find images at the extreme end aren’t as sharp as I’d like and can be very noisy.

I sent you a personal message with a link to some recent images I took. Not for sharing.

Yorkshirelad

Sounds like a great trip. Since you wrote that you are "new" to photography, here are a few "tips" that you might consider:

1. In addition to the advice about learning how to control your camera, learn the basics of travel photography. Again, YouTube videos or a small book on the topic.
2. Have at least 2 good memory cards with you. Keep one in a safe place when the other is in the camera, and consider switching the cards daily.
3. Buy a second battery. Make sure to pack your charger and recharge the batteries at night. For the Netherlands I'm going to guess that you will need a voltage converter (110 to 220) and probably a plug converter. Small, inexpensive travel kits are readily available.
4. Use a small travel bag to keep your camera kit together and pack it in your on-board luggage.
5. The zoom on your P900 is powerful. But when you zoom in, the magnification makes it harder to handhold and get a sharp image. You'll notice that the smallest handshaking is magnified when you look through the viewfinder. Close zooming will work best in bright light, and if you can rest the camera on something - a table, a wall - that can help.
6. If you are used to taking pictures with a smartphone, let's say, then you'll probably hold the camera in the same way. But try looking through the viewfinder and holding the camera against your face for steadier pictures, especially when zooming in, and then check the results using the large 3 inch screen. (If you are resting the camera on something, then you can easily look at the screen to take the picture.
7. The general advice is to take your camera off program mode (P) to get the most out of its capabilities, but Program is pretty darn good and will get you many shots. Take the initial pictures in P mode, and then if you have time, you can always experiment and switch to one of the other shooting modes or one of the scenic modes.

Extra: If you are traveling with a small laptop or tablet like an iPad, the P900 has wireless and NEF capability to make it easier to download your pictures at the end of the day. If this is too much, don't bother.

And as someone else said, share some of your pictures when you get back.

Twinbro Loc: North Central Arkansas

Send me your tickets and I will go take the photos for you.......

BebuLamar

If I were the OP I would be reading the manual with the camera in hand. I would make sure I can make all the important adjustments. The weak point of the P900 that it can't shoot RAW so settings on the camera must be right otherwise can't fix it in post.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Read the camera manual with the camera in your hands to practice setting and changing cameras settings. Ask questions here if you don't understand something you read or try. Check YouTube for reviews and "setup" suggestions. Read the manual again. Have fun. Use your cell phone as a backup camera and for macro (close-up). Cell phone cameras are actually very good these days and have tremendous depth of field.

If you get frustrated with the P900, put it in program mode [P] with autofocus on and quit worrying about camera settings.

Best light for photography is near sunrise or sunset ( 0 --> 2hr). Anytime it is cloudy is good for photography because the light is diffused. Bright sunshine will create sharp contrast that isn't as pleasing. When the sun is bright, try to photograph in the shade or shadows--especially people.