Pink Lotus

[sueedens]

Hi, this is my very first post. I've only just started playing around with my Nikon, trying out different modes after years of using automatic mode. I took this photo of a pink lotus and would like your thoughts on composition and the colours. I have slightly adjusted the levels in this image. Any suggestions on what I can do to improve this photo?

Nikon D40
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/400
Aperture: F5.3
Exposure: 0.0
Focal Length: 62mm
Mode: Aperture

Thanks!

[Weird Girl]

I am still in the learning phase but here is what I can see: the lotus is not in focus, part of the green leaf is- read your manual to understand how you know where your camera is focusing (there is a little box that you can move in your viewfinder to change where your lens is focusing). Also, I think you need to take your ISO down to about 100. I learned the hard way about how ISO works- I would read about this as well. I think once you get the correct focal point, your depth of field will look pretty good! I am not sure if you can save this image due to the focus issue but keep practicing and posting!

[sueedens]

Thank you for your honest response. I had not realised my lotus was out of focus. I am aware of where the focus viewer is in my lens and I can change it depending on what I want to focus on. I just need to pay more attention to what I should be focusing on - is it the leaf or the flower, etc. There is so much to think about when I take a photo - white balance, f-stop, ISO, shutter speed, etc. No longer I can just point and shoot!

I am not able to bring my ISO down to 100 on my Nikon D40. The lowest it can go to is 200. Not sure why this is so as some models/makes are able to go down to 50.

I will try again and keep practicing. Thanks!

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by sueedens

There is so much to think about when I take a photo - white balance, f-stop, ISO, shutter speed, etc. No longer I can just point and shoot!

Not really, you can use the "P" mode until you get the hang of all the technical features, which is basically the "Auto" mode but lets you override the settings. I am so comfortable with the "P" mode that I still use it all the time, only occasionally fiddling with the settings. The camera is pretty good at judging what settings to use most of the time, far better than anyone still new to SLRs, especially when the lighting is good. I suggest you use that and gradually shift over to manual or any of the other modes once you are comfortable. That way you get more "keeper" shots.

Originally Posted by sueedens

I am not able to bring my ISO down to 100 on my Nikon D40. The lowest it can go to is 200. Not sure why this is so as some models/makes are able to go down to 50.

The D40's lowest ISO setting is 200 only, it can't go below that, so don't worry. That is how it is manufactured, not something you can control.

Originally Posted by sueedens

I will try again and keep practicing. Thanks!

That is the key, practice, practice and more practice! Good luck.