dione961

Hi all, first thanks to the site people for providing this great service. My camera is vastly beyond my photography knowledge & takes incredible (to me) pics despite my ignorance & I've had a great time shooting nature, people & the built environment all over the world, often from the sailboat or bicycle I'm seeing it from. Trying to capture images that show the fleeting, un-creatable beauty of nature is my zen. But it's time now to learn how to get sharp images that do justice to the beauty out there. I'm totally new to using a forum (1st time ever) so I don't know how to find info that's no doubt already been posted many times. What info: well, shocking, but I don't know ISO from f stop and when the shot is right in front of you this second and gone the next, finding settings on the camera is challenging, especially when you don't know what to set. So I need to start from scratch. Is there a place on this site rank beginners can get started learning the basics?

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

1. Read and understand your manual.
2. Watch lots of videos about photography.
3. Post photos here and ask pertinent questions--lots of well-versed folks here.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Well yes people here can help you or point you to resources.
You might start by telling us what camera/lenses you have and are are trying to learn. People will be able to give better advice and maybe someone using the same gear will have detailed info to pass on.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.

You can visit http://digital-photography-school.com/ for lots of info and advice.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Buy the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Might be the best $18 you ever spend on your photography! Read it, study it, learn it.

You didn't mention what camera you are using. There are detailed guide books for most models though, so you might look for one of those. They can be helpful by expanding upon the info in the user manual, which is another important resource. Some cameras come with an abridged user manual (if they come with a printed one at all). You might check your camera manufacturer's website to see if there's a more complete manual there. Some manufacturers also have "how to" videos and articles on their sites.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

We need to know what kind of equipment you are using in order to fine tune any information.

dione961

Hi jaymatt, thanks for the tips. I find the manual a challenge but still working on it! No way to watch videos tho - normally, no internet on the boat; on land for winter, in Alaska, now though so have limited net access & hoping to learns loads before spring. I am blessed to have a new Nikon D7200. Also, Chinese-made entry-level 18-140 DX VR & 55-300 DX VR lenses. No tripod, no ext flash, no QR shutter, no Photoshop. Am usually on the boat, cycle or walking, so tripod is a challenge. The camera most likely will always be better than I; the "glass", not so much maybe. Until a couple of months ago I had only ever used a point & shoot (a good one tho; Nikon AW1 with I/C lenses, which I love, especially when cycling around and I always use it in the sailboat's dinghy, as it's waterproof). I love shooting wildlife, flowers, glaciers, temples & shrines, kids, people having a blast at parades & festivals, rock bands and anything low light with no flash. I've been known to wait a long while for a wildlife shot, or even for an empty temple or building view, so it makes sense to make it a good one! Not so much interested in making videos.

dione961

Hi Robertjerl, I am blessed to have a new Nikon D7200. Also, Chinese-made entry-level 18-140 DX VR & 55-300 DX VR lenses. No tripod, no ext flash, no QR shutter, no Photoshop. The camera most likely will always be better than I; the "glass", not so much maybe. Until a couple of months ago I had only ever used a point & shoot (a good one tho; Nikon AW1 with I/C lenses, which I love, especially when cycling around and I always use it in the sailboat's dinghy, as it's waterproof). I find the D7200 manual a challenge but still working on it! No way to watch YouTube as normally, no internet on the boat; I'm on land for winter, in Alaska, now though so have limited net access & hoping to learns loads before spring. Am usually on the boat, cycling or walking, so a tripod is a challenge. I love shooting wildlife, flowers, glaciers, temples & shrines, kids, people having a blast at parades & festivals, rock bands and anything low light with no flash. I've been known to wait a long while for a wildlife shot, or even for an empty temple or building view, so it makes sense to make it a good one! Not so much interested in making videos.

dione961

Thanks Longshadow - I'll check it out.

dione961

Thanks amfoto, I'll check it out also.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Knowing now what you have as far as equipment, congrats on a nice camera. It should last you a long time. There are many you tube videos and on line tutorials. If you ever have the urge to shoot raw, preferred by most, Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop subscription for $10.00 a month is a great deal and a great way to keep up to date on the latest upgrades without needing to go out and purchase a new program. As for glass, always buy the best that you can, even if it means saving a little longer. Try to buy FX lenses as you may use FX lenses on a DX camera such as yours, but you cannot very well use DX lenses on a FX camera if you should decide to upgrade in the future, which many do. If you are in Alaska you have lots to shoot, just be careful of the bear. A famous saying up there, "Meals on wheels" for bicyclists when it comes to bears. Happy shooting.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Welcome to UHH. Your D7200 is a fine camera, and the 18-140 DX actually is a good lens--I used it for a number of years on my D7100 and was happy with it. So you are covered from the equipment side. You are in good company: most cameras, including your D7200, are versatile and offer lots of options. Most photographers do not understand all of them--I certainly don't. Learn gradually, one feature at the time.

I think that you should start with the basic functions of a camera--the so-called "exposure triangle" is a good place to start. It explains how shutter speed (how long you expose the sensor), aperture (how open your lens is, that is how much light it lets through) and ISO (the sensitivity setting on your sensor) relate to each other. You will learn that all three settings matter for the quality of your image, and you will learn how to calibrate them to optimize your image. There is a lot of good info online, including videos--just google it.

amersfoort

This is quite a nice site to find out the effects of F stop, ISO, shutter speed and focal length.

https://camerasim.com/camerasim-free-web-app/

ed2056 Loc: Warwick, RI

A quick and simple suggestion; do an online search for "Exposure Triangle". This will give you a basic understanding of the 3 way relationship between ISO/Shutter speed/F-Stop.

ELNikkor

Welcome to the forum, dione961! Always great to have someone new to join with a zeal to learn photography better. You are truly blessed to have some very fine equipment, the opportunity to travel to amazing places as part of your job, and the innate desire and ability to capture your adventures with your camera. Following the advice you've already gotten on this site will greatly enhance your understanding of your camera and lenses. Be sure and share with us some of the photos you've already taken, as it sounds like you've gone places and seen things some of us here can only dream about.