I'm a newbie. Advice please!

[slowflow]

Hello everyone,

Where do I start. I just bought my first dslr a couple of weeks ago. It is a nikon d3000. I am taking a photo 101 course at the local community college, but would like some further advice on a couple things. first off my camera came with an 18-55mm lens, and I am looking at getting a lens that can get a little closer from a distance. I am on a budget and am thinking of getting a 55- 200mm simply because I can get one for around $100. does anyone have any thoughts on this lens? Secondly I want to get a photo editing program. Thinking about photoshop elements. Any thoughts is it a good place to start? Should I edit my photos or should I go with with what I capture? Photography has always been my favorite art form am anxious to get some great shots. Thanks

[inkista]

Sure, a 55-200 is ok, although you might be happier going for one with VR in it than one without. Just be aware that if you get serious about using a telephoto zoom, you're likely to want to replace it eventually.

The third lens folks would suggest would be the AF-S 35mm f/1.8 or AF-S 50mm f/1.8G, so you can learn what it's like to shoot with wide apertures.

And yes, you want to learn how to post-process your images. PSE is a good choice, but you might want to consider, since you probably have student status from your class, whether or not going for the student license of the full Photoshop or Lightroom might be a better buy. And there's also the free open source package, the Gimp. I'd recommend downloading a bunch of free trials and seeing which package appeals to you the most. There are a lot of choices, here.

[slowflow]

thanks inkista. I appreciate the advice. The lens I am looking atndoes have VR and yes I probably will want to replace it later but I am just starting out in this world of cameras and am looking at my budget. its my birthday next week and thinking of getting myself a gift. I really haven't looked through many lenses so I will have to check out the other ones you mentioned. I will also look at the student license program. thank you again for helping a newbie : )

[slowflow]

on top off this I want to take some macro photos but catch some distant shots. i am in a beginner rut wanting to take shots of any and everything, Any advice for me?

[3bayjunkie]

Originally Posted by slowflow

on top off this I want to take some macro photos but catch some distant shots. i am in a beginner rut wanting to take shots of any and everything, Any advice for me?

pick something; sports, portrait, flowers, landscape, architecture. And focus on refining that skill. once you do, try something else. get a lens that does what you need. This will be good because you can spend more money on one lens instead of trying to get a lot of different lenses that will be of lower quality and you won't be sasified.