jjadeco25 Loc: Alma, AR

Radioman and kiterwv are 100% correct. I've had the unfortunate experience of being criticized by some who I haven't even seen posted photo's from, and I usually let things go, but I wrote back to let the poster know that we come to this forum for support and helpful critique.
It took a while to repost some photos, but now when I ask for support, that's what I receive.
I also have a 5100 and was having some issues, so I bought the book the book Nikon D5100 From Snapshots to Great Shots by Rob Sylvan. It has been very helpful, since it gives you assignments to do and then email over for positive critique. I highly recommend this book.
Here are some pictures I took with the help of the book.

DebartzCreations Loc: Onalaska, Texas

Let's not forget how treacherous the learning curve can be. I speak as a relative newb as I just got my 2nd hand Canon T3i this week. But I spent weeks of research comparing prices and technologies. I have carried a Canon Sure shot SX130(?) for over two years and was anxious to get to the next level. Not just to be dramatic and bore you, my point is that I found an awesome resource that carried me much further than reading reviews on Amazon. New to this forum, I don't want to drop dotcom bombs and get censured. Google Lynda+Ben Long. I suspect many here already know that name, but he has amassed a large number of instructional video courses covering Photography Fundamentals as well as some advanced topics. He is far from the only instructor and that is far from the only point of this site. There is massive coverage of many versions of PS. I have learned how to use Adobe InDesign from this site. They cover almost any office app you(I) can think of. And Ben made my buying decision even tougher because he has two course that walk you through the D5100 and the T3i(600D). I knew that whichever one I went with, because that was my price point, I'd have this video course to hold my hand teaching me how to reach the dusty corners of the menu.
But the brain was a bit exhausted after absorbing HOURS of video on the camera alone. I've realized that I want a book nearby to thumb to specific questions because in the field I can't usually pull up how-to videos. But probably even more educational than all this, go out and make mistakes, but with the awareness that you plan on learning from them, especially the 'happy accidents.'
Come home and break down your shots to see what might have gone better and the next time you look through your viewfinder, it's a whole new world!
So, with my very first post I may have stepped on a toe or two, but look at it as my enthusiastic support of a fellow learner.
But I will make one opinion clear, do RTFM because you need that exposure to create the language of communication with your new peers.
BTW, Hi Y'all, I'm new here! ;-)

p.s. also google the 7dayfreetrial for the website mentioned above. It is a subscription site, but I find it to be a bargain.

coco1964 Loc: Winsted Mn

Nikon manuals suck!! They have you start with answering a question and then after about 3 sentences refer you to page 64---then you go to page 64 and after about 3 sentences refer you to page 148 and on and on. I buy the "Nikon for Dummies" specific to the camera I have and they are so well put together you'll never open a Nikon manual again. I'm not sure but I believe they will also print them for Canon also. Give it a try, it will help---$17 from Amazon.....

Irontruck Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Learn how to bracket,I take a lot of cloud and sunset pics bracketing in one of the manual modes gives me a range of exposures some are too light some are too dark some are right on!

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Sometimes the best advice you can give is "go find the answer yourself". Yes, nikon manuals are poorly written, but there are many other sources. I swear by Thom Hogans books when I get a new camera. Sometimes it is a disservice to just answer the question with the quick solution. Without the understanding of the camera/lens/etc, the person may just flounder from one basic question to another without ever finding the joy of photography. The true joy of photography only comes when the camera becomes an extension of your vision - when you don't have to think about the camera, or the menu or the buttons. If I can direct someone toward gaining that mastery of the camera, I try to do it.

Brian in Whitby Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada

Despite arr the rhetoric, RTFM is still good advice no matter what the device.
Although I would suggest abbreviating it to RTM. ;-)
Modern devices, including cameras offer so many dodads and gizmos, it is very difficult to discover them all by trial and error.
Whenever, I get a new device, I read the manual cover to cover. I know it is a good cure from insomnia and I know I will not retain all that I read but at least I get an idea of wheat the device's capabilities are. Then when I need some function, I can go back to the manual and find out how to do it if I cannot figure it out on the spot.
It is also important in photography to be able to apply the functions seamlessly. If a feature will be useful to you, master it so you don't waste valuable time trying to apply the function and miss the shot.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Or, RTOM, RTMM, RTPM.

Is this listed anywhere on the forum in our list of abbreviations?

ringo Loc: australia

some of you blokes should take a good hard look at yourselves, new members come on and we tell them there are no silly questions and then tell others to RTFM.If you can't say something nice,don't say anything at all.If it bothers you that someone seemed a little lazy why bother answering them.One of the very few people who really knows his stuff on this site is the Captain and you never hear him going on like some of you lot.If the Captain makes a remark it's to help someone'and some of them don't listen.Just because some of you have been members for a long time doesn't mean you can be rude to who ever you like.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Frankly, I don't think there is anything rude or unfriendly in suggesting that someone educate themselves in the basics.

ringo Loc: australia

It's not always what you say,but how you say it.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Clearly, you haven't read all of CaptainC's posts. He has been known to lose his patience, too. Recommending that someone "RTFM" is not out of line when the question is of such a nature that it is certainly in the manual and easy to locate. And the advice to spend some time with the manual is good advice, even if you can't possibly absorb it all in one pass. At least you'll pick up some basic concepts and terminology, which can help locate information as you move along.

Your manual will tell you how to make your camera perform various tasks. It won't teach you about photography - light, composition, dealing with difficult situations, the exposure triangle, and so forth. There are plenty of books on that, too, but that's the kind of stuff that can be answered here with a well thought out question.

ag photog Loc: Atlanta, Georgia

You know what? The day you each and everyone first picked up your camera and started playing around, you certainly VERY LIKELY didn't think that people would be so jaded and exhausted with the "same stupid questions everyone once had!" I feel sure she asked, because she/he does know very little about it and just needed a kind reply sending her in the right direction. I don't think that ANYONE that is serious about picking up and learning the craft of Photography will remain "LAZY FOR LONG, if even that is the case!" It's not possible. We each have to find our own way and it would have been just as simple to say...you will find all those Basic questions answered for you in your Manual. Try that out and try Google or Youtube and see if you can rectify your issue in those ways. If you still can't come up with any answers come back by and we will see if we can help you figure it out." Thanks for dropping by, but to really learn, I suggest you seek out those answers for yourself, because often times it is different for different cameras and you really need to learn your way around your camera. I feel sure you will find the answer. There is a wealth of information in the Manual and youtube! Thanks! The easiest answer if you are THAT IRRITATED, SIMPLE...DON"T ANSWER AT ALL...instead, do something productive and go match your bra and panty set your wearing tomorrow! I see so many of these sarcastic answers in this forum it makes me want to delete it, because there are SO MANY OTHERS THAT HELP THE PEOPLE THAT ASK!

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Why don't you chill out? You seem to be taking personal offense at every comment anyone makes. Nobody has gotten all bent out of shape here except you.

ringo Loc: australia

nicely put.