Hello from Las Vegas! Hello everyone! My name is Cindy and I live in Las Vegas. I subscribed to this forum a few months ago and have been sitting quietly in the wings admiring all the...

LasVegasCindy Loc: Las Vegas, Nv

Hello everyone!

My name is Cindy and I live in Las Vegas. I subscribed to this forum a few months ago and have been sitting quietly in the wings admiring all the absolutely beautiful photography, reading the many comments, and trying to absorb all the incredible shared knowledge that flows so freely here!

I have always loved looking at and taking pictures, and have had various "beginner" point and shoot cameras in the past. I currently use a point and shoot Nikon CoolPix P520 that I have had for several years. Up until very recently, I have only used the auto settings and never even considered using manual settings. I have been experimenting with them (manual settings) as of late and have discovered there is SOOOO much to learn! I have been reading my owners manual to get better acquainted with the camera (after so many years!) and how to use its manual settings and quite honestly, it is very confusing and very difficult for me to comprehend and retain what I have read. Even when I read and then apply what I have read and use the camera simultaneously, I still feel like I am in the dark.

I often watch videos on YouTube, Udemy, and Skillshare and I feel that helps quite a bit. Next month I plan on signing up for some live classes at a local camera shop to get some hands-on education.

I eventually want to "graduate" from my current camera and move up to a DSLR but wonder if I should do so before I am completely familiar with the manual settings on my point and shoot. I guess my logic behind that is, if I have mastered the basic manual settings on the P520, maybe it will be easier for me to learn the DSLR settings on a more advanced system. Or maybe I am wasting my time by trying to completely learn my current camera, knowing that I will eventually upgrade! I am very open to your thoughts on my issue! Sometimes I have a tendency to overthink things!

Here are some photos I took with my P520. Most of them were taken using auto settings, and some were taken as I started experimenting with manual. Thank you for taking the time to read this long introductory post and for looking and perhaps critiquing my images. I hope I did not go overboard!!

Cindy

P.S. After doing hours of research on my possible next camera, I have pretty much settled on the Nikon D5600. As you can probably determine from my photos, I love photographing flowers, landscapes, wildlife, birds, animals, nature and would like to learn more about macro. Thoughts?

WarpedWeaver

Welcome! Nice photos! I just bought a Fujifilm xt2 after (and still using!) working with a Nikon Coolpix 610 for several years. There is so much to learn! Enjoy the process!

LasVegasCindy Loc: Las Vegas, Nv

WarpedWeaver wrote:

Welcome! Nice photos! I just bought a Fujifilm xt2 after (and still using!) working with a Nikon Coolpix 610 for several years. There is so much to learn! Enjoy the process!

Thanks for the warm welcome and the kind words, WarpedWeaver! I look forward to learning and being active in the forum!

NMGal Loc: NE NM

You are doing well with what you have.

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

LasVegasCindy wrote:

Hello everyone!

My name is Cindy and I live in Las Vegas. I subscribed to this forum a few months ago and have been sitting quietly in the wings admiring all the absolutely beautiful photography, reading the many comments, and trying to absorb all the incredible shared knowledge that flows so freely here!

I have always loved looking at and taking pictures, and have had various "beginner" point and shoot cameras in the past. I currently use a point and shoot Nikon CoolPix P520 that I have had for several years. Up until very recently, I have only used the auto settings and never even considered using manual settings. I have been experimenting with them (manual settings) as of late and have discovered there is SOOOO much to learn! I have been reading my owners manual to get better acquainted with the camera (after so many years!) and how to use its manual settings and quite honestly, it is very confusing and very difficult for me to comprehend and retain what I have read. Even when I read and then apply what I have read and use the camera simultaneously, I still feel like I am in the dark.

I often watch videos on YouTube, Udemy, and Skillshare and I feel that helps quite a bit. Next month I plan on signing up for some live classes at a local camera shop to get some hands-on education.

I eventually want to "graduate" from my current camera and move up to a DSLR but wonder if I should do so before I am completely familiar with the manual settings on my point and shoot. I guess my logic behind that is, if I have mastered the basic manual settings on the P520, maybe it will be easier for me to learn the DSLR settings on a more advanced system. Or maybe I am wasting my time by trying to completely learn my current camera, knowing that I will eventually upgrade! I am very open to your thoughts on my issue! Sometimes I have a tendency to overthink things!

Here are some photos I took with my P520. Most of them were taken using auto settings, and some were taken as I started experimenting with manual. Thank you for taking the time to read this long introductory post and for looking and perhaps critiquing my images. I hope I did not go overboard!!

Cindy

P.S. After doing hours of research on my possible next camera, I have pretty much settled on the Nikon D5600. As you can probably determine from my photos, I love photographing flowers, landscapes, wildlife, birds, animals, nature and would like to learn more about macro. Thoughts?

Hello everyone! br br My name is Cindy and I liv... (show quote)

Welcome, LVCindy.

You're photos are fantastic for a "beginner." I also would consider myself a beginner. Like you, my first digital camera was a point&shoot, Panasonic Lumix zs50. I took it on a couple trips and thought did a decent job. A couple years ago, decided to be serious and got me a Nikon D7200 and enrolled in basic digital photography. I also watched a number of YouTube videos on the ins/outs of digital photography. Eventually, I found out that the most important course in digital photography I should be taking is, "Practice, Practice, Practice 101." Unfortunately, that course is not offered in any photography school and you won't find it in any YouTube video. The take-home here is, it takes time, be patient, and keep shooting.

BTW, when posting your photos, click the "Store Original" box. This way, other UHHers particularly the experts, can view the downloaded version and opine/critic on your photos.

Again, welcome to the UHH community. You'll most likely hear from the other Welcome Wagon regulars here such as jerry, longshadow, etc.

Take care.

P.S. Did I mention I love flowers photography, too?

LasVegasCindy Loc: Las Vegas, Nv

NMGal wrote:

You are doing well with what you have.

Thanks NMGal! I appreciate that!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Welcome. I can see that you have an "eye" for photography. Post and have fun. The D5600 will make a nice first DSLR.

LasVegasCindy Loc: Las Vegas, Nv

Sunnely wrote:

Welcome, LVCindy. br br You're photos are fanta... (show quote)

Hi Sunnely! Thank you for the compliment and for the great advice about practicing. I have seen that mentioned many times here. I will definitely make an effort to do it more!

Thanks also for letting me know about the “Store Original” box. I had no idea what it was for. I will remember to use it in my future posts!