Digital photography Final Exam Sample?

[caseywhitcher]

Hey all,

New to the forums, so hello.

Ok, I just bought my first DSLR a Nikon D60, I've always been a bit intimidated by advanced photography techniques, but I'm finally going to dig in and try to learn. I watched a DVD that came with the camera, talking about alot of the different possibilities for settings and such. It's definately a lot to take in.

Does anyone know if there is a class final, or tests of some sort posted on the internet I could download and use as a basis to start learning the different functions, and their uses.

I think having it in that format would help me get a base knowledge of all the different settings, their uses, and general results from the settings.

Thanks!

[SusanH1970]

Hi and welcome to DPS! I can quite honestly say that a huge portion of what I've learned about photography has come from this site.

This link is a great place to start. When I first got my camera, I read it and re-read it, and it was a tremendous help!

Good luck, and remember there's no such thing as a stupid question. We were all beginners once and you'll find that this forum is very friendly and encouraging.

[CatcherT]

I have to agree, I've learned more from this site in the short time I've been here then the years of taking pics. As far as a finishing "project" something of a technique there are lots of explanations on here in the "how I took it" forum. I would certainly start there. You gave yourself the best advice but just diving in! have fun.

[spazoid1965]

This may also be helpful. http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/ It's a simulated camera. It shows the affects of cahnging apeture, shutter speed, etc. There may be other simulated/virtual cameras on the web. But this is the one I heard of.

[EXILER]

Originally Posted by spazoid1965

This may also be helpful. http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/ It's a simulated camera. It shows the affects of cahnging apeture, shutter speed, etc. There may be other simulated/virtual cameras on the web. But this is the one I heard of.

thats an awesome link there spaz... good find...

[paulcompton]

Originally Posted by caseywhitcher

Hey all,

New to the forums, so hello.

Ok, I just bought my first DSLR a Nikon D60, I've always been a bit intimidated by advanced photography techniques, but I'm finally going to dig in and try to learn. I watched a DVD that came with the camera, talking about alot of the different possibilities for settings and such. It's definately a lot to take in.

Does anyone know if there is a class final, or tests of some sort posted on the internet I could download and use as a basis to start learning the different functions, and their uses.

I think having it in that format would help me get a base knowledge of all the different settings, their uses, and general results from the settings.

Thanks!

This one is always worth a look, explains just about every thing http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm

[Dirt_Bike_Ryda]

i believe one of the best ways to learn photography is to talk to photographers.

whether that be through the use of this site, taking a one on one course at a camera shop, or simply talking to someone in your family that knows a thing or two on photography.

also BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS. the internet is great thing, give it that, but i still believe books are the way to go, a strong thing for some one of my age to say. i am only 17, and have grown up with the internet, could not live with out it. but i have bought several books on photography, and the things i have learn't from those books are invaluable.

i how ever don't believe that you will get much out of looking at an old exam paper, even with the correct answers to the questions, as it won't give you much reasoning as to why something is so. it may tell you that an aperture of f/1.4 is going to have a much shallower "depth of field" (DoF as it referred to often REMEMBER THAT ! ) then say an aperture of f/36. but that still leave you wondering why??? i would explain it to you, but its a little hard for me and my little experience to put it into simple terms.

i recommend that you buy this book. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D60-Digi.../dp/0470383127

i have one for my D90


the information in here is absolutely stunning. the author runs you through how to use you menus, how external speed-lights work,all the way down to the simple facts about composition. the ruls like rules of thirds (most important photographical rule), leading lines, etc etc.

oh and another way to learn is practice. THIS IS DIGITAL ! shoot and delete, shoot and delete. read the book. take a few shots one something that you are reading about, read some more book, shoot some more. and in time you'll be soo much better.

my 0.2

[fantasmic2tek]

Originally Posted by caseywhitcher

Hey all,

New to the forums, so hello.

Ok, I just bought my first DSLR a Nikon D60, I've always been a bit intimidated by advanced photography techniques, but I'm finally going to dig in and try to learn. I watched a DVD that came with the camera, talking about alot of the different possibilities for settings and such. It's definately a lot to take in.

Does anyone know if there is a class final, or tests of some sort posted on the internet I could download and use as a basis to start learning the different functions, and their uses.

I think having it in that format would help me get a base knowledge of all the different settings, their uses, and general results from the settings.

PS i didn't read the entire thread before I wrote this. Not until my posted did i see the post above mine.

Thanks!

You might find the Nikon D50 Field Guide by David Busch usefull, You can find it at local camera store or bookstore. You may also find it at some various online retailers