Setting the exposures on Nikon D40X

[Exposures]

I am new to the photography scene. I have used my camera on automatic setting for about a year now. I want to start manipulating the settings on my own but I can't figure out how to do it. For starters, I would like to control the shutter time. I know to set it on manual and turn the little dial, but my pictures either come out completely black or completely white. I have even changed the ISO from lowest to highest and still can't figure this out. Can anyone help me with this little delima?

[AnnaV]

I'd try starting by putting it on 'S' which means shutter priority - this means you can choose your shutter speed and the camera will automatically choose an aperture for you to correctly expose your photo.

[candleman]

you need to understand the exposure triangle.
to get a picture exposed you need to use shutterspeed, aperture and ISO together.. to control the light.

too much you get white, not enough you get black.

there is a little "bar" when looking through the viewfinder, that looks like this.. I | I 0 I | I
and it indicates whether it is going to be underexposed or overexposed. as you adjust the settings you will notice the bar move.
"0" is when it is what the camera thinks is the correct exposure.

as above.. i'd suggest using Aperture priority or Shutterspeed priority. first (read the manual to see how)

ISo..
a low iso number neams the camera is less sensitive to light (say 100)
a high iso number means its more sensitive to light (say 800)

[thekeyster]

I am certainly no expert and I just got my D40 3 months ago. But, if you set your dial to S as AnnaV suggests, them the little rotary dial at your right thumb (it's black like the camera) will now adjust the shutter speed. As you rotate the dial, you can look in the view finder to see the changing numbers (I think they are on the bottom more to the left) OR you can hit the little + with a magnifying glass button (I think, I don't have the camera in front of me) which is the lowest button on the left on the back of the camera. That will light up your LCD and you can rotate that dial and see the numbers change there.

I think you can also hit the info button on top of the camera just behind the on/off switch. Hope that helps. This site can also help get you started: Nikon D40 User's Guide

Glen