100% new to "real" photography (not PaS)...

[Blue91]

Hello all! With our first baby on the way, we took the plunge and purchased a Nikon D90 dslr last week (body) and two lenses (18-55mm VR and 55-200mm VR).

I'm 100% new to real photography and have only used point-and-shoot digitals in the past. I've always tried to get good compositions in my shots so hopefully once I learn how to do this stuff, my pictures will get better with the better camera!

I purchased 3 books which should be here in the next week:

• David Busch's Nikon D90 Guide to Digital SLR Photography
• Nikon D90 For Dummies
• Photographing Children Photo Workshop: Develop Your Digital Photography Talent

Any of you have/used these books? If so, what do you think of them? I got the Dummies book b/c I figure it would be written in more of a beginner way vs the Busch book, which is likely more detailed.

My intent is to take good "artsy" photos of my baby once she's born and as she grows. I also would like to get good pictures at football games (my nephew) or inside gymnasiums at Jiu-Jitsu tournaments (mine).

Anyways, I've been reading as much as I can about this stuff for the past month and now that I have the camera, I have no idea where to start, haha. The thing is filled with so many features which I have no idea how to use and wonder if I ever will use many of them. Hopefully the books help me out more than the manual.

To give me a goal to focus on, I want to be assigned lessons/tasks to complete so I have to learn a specific technique/feature in order to achieve the goal. Anyone have any ideas for a total beginner?

Lastly, do all pictures here need to be uploaded via Flickr? I can't view them from work. Are we allowed to post a link to a picture? I upload mine to my website. I'd like to share 1-3 pics that I've taken in the past with my Point and Shoot.

Thanks and look forward to submerging my head in all of this information!

[lputman]

Welcome to dPS and congratulations on the pending arrival of your little one. I suggest you peruse the Digital Photography School - Photography Forums - FAQ. It will help you to fall right into the flow of things here at dPS.

[Chip]

Welcome to DPS, Blue91.

I have a D90, so we speak the same language.

There's quite a bit to learn about a new camera, so no need to try and do it all at once.

The manual is great for teaching you just what each of the dials, buttons and menu options will do for you. Knowing all this is important and shouldn't be overlooked.

But, the manual can't tell you how to use the camera to take a better photo. For some, taking better photos comes from reading and then trying to do what they read. Others seem to learn my trial and error. You'll just need to find your own way, and your own pace. You'll get there - don't worry and don't rush.

Just some suggestions that you can completely disregard if you like: Become familiar with the exposure triangle, so that you have some understanding of how aperture, shutter and ISO all relate to each other. Then, start shooting in full auto mode, shoot in different conditions, then check the EXIF data to see what settings the camera selected. Then move to "P" mode, and see how the changes you make impact the photo and the other settings. After that, move to A and S modes.

One thing that helped me learn about how aperture changes things is to get 2 Coke or some other cans, and place one about 6' away and the other about 8' away and just a few inches off to the side. Set a large aperture (small f #) and focus on the near can - then take a series of shots at progressively smaller apertures, and see how the appearance of the 2nd can changes. Then, repeat but this time focusing on the second can.

The most important thing is to have fun. And if you happen to get stuck or frustrated, ask your questions here.

Good luck!

[Blue91]

Thanks for the reply Chip! That's good info to know and now I know someone specific that I can bug for help / ideas!

I have been trying to learn more and more about Aperature, Shuttter, and ISO. I just need to find more time to use it and practice! I'll get a chance to try this weekend with my nephew's football game and neice's cheerleading.