frustrated
Jan 5, 2012 23:40:07 #
Coco, I had some what of the same problem. I went from a point and shot Sony to a Canon T2I so all the stuff was pretty new. Having to understand Shutter spend and ISO and aperture-priority can be a challenge. I started out googling my camera on You Tube and you can find some pretty good tutorials on how to use and learn your camera. I also went to the larger book stores and found some good books on my camera. I just started reading and taking pictures, just playing around, to try and learn the simple things first. You can always delete your pictures and start over. I think once you learn some of the easier parts of the camera the harder stuff will come a little easier. Good luck and happy shooting.
Jan 6, 2012 03:27:25 #
Coco, Some one here has previously suggested you start by reading the owners Manuel (it may be called Users Guide) and read it starting on the very first page and go page by page till you finish it. It's important that you read it sequentially and not jump around. In the beginning it will explain the names of the controls and where they're located on the camera. as you progress further it will explain what each of the controls do and then will talk about when, how and why you should use them. After you've read all the way to the last page , you will discover there's an index near the last pages and that's the key to getting comfortable with your camera. When someone suggests you change your shutter speed simply look up shutter in the index and it will list the pages where the shutter in mentioned. Start at the lowest numbered page. If you need more info proceed to the next higher numbered page and continue in that order till you find enough info on the shutter to satisfy your needs. You can do this to find an explanation for just about any question you might come up with. I have to stress, start at the beginning. That's where the basics are. It's a little like algebra, you have to learn in steps. What you learn today will help you understand what you're going to learn tomorrow. ........ Gray Bates/aka.Coot
Jan 6, 2012 05:42:12 #
I have the same camera. I switched from a Canon to the D3100 last summer and feel the Canon is so much more user friendly. This camera is taking me a little longer to get used to it. If you have specific questions, why not take it back to the store you bought it from if it's not a large store such as a Best Buy. I bought mine from a Ritz Camera Store and have gone back with a couple of questions. They also offer classes and individual classes that you could benefit from. They know the camera and it's hands on! Maybe a small camera shop in your area could help you.
Jan 6, 2012 05:43:51 #
I believe you should first study photography. Then study digital photography. Then learn the intricacies of your camera. The manual that came with your Skill saw doesn't teach you how to build an Armour (sp?).
Maybe I only speak for myself, but I think for many, the joy of photography is the learning. Knowing just a little bit more than I did yesterday. BTW - "The Joy Of Photography" is an excellent, excellent book.
Maybe I only speak for myself, but I think for many, the joy of photography is the learning. Knowing just a little bit more than I did yesterday. BTW - "The Joy Of Photography" is an excellent, excellent book.
Jan 6, 2012 05:53:41 #
I agree with you. When you don't know anything about DSLR cameras the manual can be frustrating. Despite naming parts the terminology is confusing. The only way I was able to get past that was to take an in-person basic photography class. It has given me enough of the basics so I can now read the manual and make sense of it all.
I'm a retired teacher and I know from experience one of the biggest mistakes teachers make is to assume a student knows the basic steps... It is easy to forget these basics (like putting the key in the ignition) when you have done it for so long yourself. Taking a class with other newbies will level the playing field and allows you to ask questions, something a manual just can't do.
Local continuing education classes at community colleges often have good photography classes for beginners for little cost.
I'm a retired teacher and I know from experience one of the biggest mistakes teachers make is to assume a student knows the basic steps... It is easy to forget these basics (like putting the key in the ignition) when you have done it for so long yourself. Taking a class with other newbies will level the playing field and allows you to ask questions, something a manual just can't do.
Local continuing education classes at community colleges often have good photography classes for beginners for little cost.
Jan 6, 2012 06:29:08 #
bubbaDon
Loc: southern tier, New York
been there done that, believe me there is no book like the one you are asking about. ask simple questions on the SITE, one at a time, I read this site everyday, it seems like when I have a question, someone has already ask it. Join a camera club, at our club when someone buys a new camera, it seems like everyone has a little knowledge to offer. GOOD LUCK.
Jan 6, 2012 06:30:25 #
tomfr
Loc: Brevard N.C.
CocoRoger wrote:
but see? I appreciate the info but is everything except HOW to do it.
It is my experience that there are several procedures to achieve the same image. IMHO, before I would expect to shoot National Geographic Covers, I would become totally familiar with shooting in manual mode, to better understand the relationship of exposure. Once you have accomplished this, move on to the options your individual camera offers.
If you can look through the pages of Mr. Busch's book, I think you will find it rather lacking in "how to" information.Books of this type are cranked out at aan amazing rate. No book, and no photographer can take the place of hands on experience. All the information you need to improve your images is recorded at the same time the shutter is released. Check this info out, make comparisons, between images, and take notes.
Finally, as good as the intention of various forums, they can be very confusing. People, trying to be helpful, will post things like, " we'll I don't have that camera, but my camera does this" or " my cousin has a similar camera, and he says"
As has been stated, I think by Rocco, look in your area, for clubs, community colleges, and maybe just someone with a camera around their neck.
tomfr
Jan 6, 2012 06:34:16 #
Nikonfan70
Loc: Long Island
On my little D40 it's dufficult to read instructions and keeep the menu from shutting off. Anyway try Ken Rockwell's site. He's pretty helpful.
Jan 6, 2012 06:35:10 #
I know exactly what you mean! I too have to know the who, what, when where and why of things. The first thing I wanted to do was to get the high resolution on my camera. I had to search in the manual for that.
I found "A Beginners Guide To Photography" site helped to learn some basics.
http://www.expertphotography.com/a-beginners-guide-to-photography It helped alot.
At first I changed all the settings and couldn't get a clear picture. Then I ended up taking notes when I changed the settings on my camera (menu button on my camera for each shooting mode) and writing down on paper the description and setting of the shot so I would know which setting I used for the shot. Otherwise you have lots of pictures and don't know which setting you used! Learning a new camera is not fun. I'm learning lots here. Everyone is very helpful.
I found "A Beginners Guide To Photography" site helped to learn some basics.
http://www.expertphotography.com/a-beginners-guide-to-photography It helped alot.
At first I changed all the settings and couldn't get a clear picture. Then I ended up taking notes when I changed the settings on my camera (menu button on my camera for each shooting mode) and writing down on paper the description and setting of the shot so I would know which setting I used for the shot. Otherwise you have lots of pictures and don't know which setting you used! Learning a new camera is not fun. I'm learning lots here. Everyone is very helpful.
Jan 6, 2012 07:02:43 #
Coco, I feel your pain! I am having the same problems! I just bought two more books, both by Brian Peterson. The first is understanding Digital Photography and the other is his Apeture book. I've got about 15 books now and still can't figure out the basics. I can't understand how to read the information in my viewfinder and then change it. I can change the ISO!
I have been trying to take one feature, such as the ISO settings, and just focus on that using a couple of books and my manual, it is starting to sink in but...
I can take pictures and some of them come out pretty good, but I wnat to be able to compose the picture in my camera. I have Canon Rebel and have bought a wide angle and zoom lense, a tripod, monopod and a remote release so I have the tools but need the basics~how do I read the viewfinder, where is my f stop information, etc.
It's frustrating but I am going to learn!
I have been trying to take one feature, such as the ISO settings, and just focus on that using a couple of books and my manual, it is starting to sink in but...
I can take pictures and some of them come out pretty good, but I wnat to be able to compose the picture in my camera. I have Canon Rebel and have bought a wide angle and zoom lense, a tripod, monopod and a remote release so I have the tools but need the basics~how do I read the viewfinder, where is my f stop information, etc.
It's frustrating but I am going to learn!
Jan 6, 2012 07:11:49 #
konica135
Loc: Ormond Beach, FL
CocoRoger wrote:
I have a Nikon D3100, my first DSLR. Although I'v... (show quote)
Have not read prior posts, so this may be a repeat. I think what you want are expanded and somewhat more simplified instructions than the Nikon's. The Amazon list is extensive , but perhaps D3100 for Dummies, David Busch's D3100, D3100 Snapshots to Great shots, or Magic Lantern books and DVDs could be starters. I did this when I bought my D5100. Really helped. Am constantly referring to my books.
Jan 6, 2012 07:18:33 #
woodworker236
Loc: Western, Pennsylvania Home of the first JEEP
CocoRoger wrote:
I have a Nikon D3100, my first DSLR. Although I'v... (show quote)
You are so right the samething goes for all the software out there. They (the books) will tell you how much the program will do, but never give you a step by step way of doing it.
Jan 6, 2012 07:22:15 #
I used youtube to learn a lot of different stuff about my camera. Easy, you can pause, and re watch at your leasure. I would give it a try. Just put your camera model in a tutorial and you will be suprised how much info is there.
Jan 6, 2012 07:26:10 #
Attend a workshop or two for beginners. You will receive basic instruction in camera operation. Knowing the camera controls will instill confidence when taking pictures.
Learning photography demands your full attention for best results. You have to keep at it.
My simplest advice: Take a lot of pictures and learn from your mistakes.
Good luck.
Learning photography demands your full attention for best results. You have to keep at it.
My simplest advice: Take a lot of pictures and learn from your mistakes.
Good luck.
Jan 6, 2012 07:27:17 #
CocoRoger wrote:
I've been following this forum and others and read so much about 'do this' or 'do that' but people don't explain how to do this or do that. Thanks
I know exactly what you mean, and "frustrated" is the perfect word. People seem to skip steps 1 through 3 and expect you to take it from there. It's the same with computers.
If you could mention one specific thing you would like to do, I'm sure someone will have a step-by-step for you.
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