DSLR Newbie Question

[valarie]

I recently purchased my first SLR Nikon D3000. I am brand new to everything photography wise, and I'm still learning my camera. To be honest, I haven't even taken it out of the auto setting yet. I am wanting to get outside and practice. I'm thinking of going out into the country and capture some photos of maybe an old barn or tractor, something like that. Today is very cloudy and overcast. Is there any advice or tips you could give me? I've done quite a bit of reading, but I'm still brand new to the photo lingo too. Any help would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Samanax]

Get to know your camera well. Know where all the controls are and what all the buttons and knobs and wheels do. Don't be afraid to try the other basic shooting modes the camera offers just to see what each does. And don't be afraid to experiment with the creative shooting modes (the options with the letters instead of the pictures)...you'll eventually use these more than the other modes. They give you more control over your camera and the creative process.

Learn as much as you can about exposure. It's one of the fundamentals you must understand if you want to make the most of your DSLR.

Exposure Triangle

The Exposure Triangle – In Beginner Speak “The End of Auto Mode"

Understand Digital Photography exposure – The Exposure Triangle

Understanding Exposure with the Exposure Triangle

Making Better Images With The Photographic Triangle

Lens Aperture Explained – Exposure Triangle Pt.1

Shutter Speed – Exposure Triangle Pt.2

ISO – Exposure Triangle Pt.3

Then work on your composition.

Digital Photography Composition Tips

Taking Better Pictures: Composition

Photo Composition - Your Photo As A Story

Good Photo Composition Is Essential

Learn Photo Composition

How To Make A Killer Photo Using 8 Simple Composition Rules

The Golden Section In Photo Composition

How To Improve Your Photography - 5 Easy Tricks

I've found these other web sites to be very informative:

EarthboundLight Archives

101 Photography Tips

50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Photography Skills

Cambridge In Colour

Ron Bigelow Photography Articles

[Jamie Hibbert]

Just get the camera working, set it in AUTO and shoot. Photo the Dog, your tea, the lounge, learn how the different lights give off different colours (The TV, floureent tubes, regular bulb). Shoot, shoot and then more.

I would try "A" mode second. You can then get creative with DOF (depth of field) and blur out the background to draw the ey into the main centre of the image.

Again, if ya not sleeping, ya should be shooting!!!!!!!

I have written a blog post about just getting out there and shooting over on my Cornwall photography site

[Algernonep]

Read more! I recommend reading Brian Peterson's Understanding Exposure. READ A LOT!
Practice a lot! PRACTICE more! Take lots of photos.

[mbradley365]

Agree with all. I too got the same camera, my first DSLR, a few months ago and I just took it outside in the backyard and started shooting. I put it in different modes and shot the same scenes for comparison. Figure out why the shots look different in different modes, what you like, what you don't like, what went wrong and how to change it. Read up about your camera so you know how to use it and use all the resources here on DPS for photography in general.

I also can't wait to take my camera out into some open country! Good luck!

[klr]

Read tutorials.

At first I read this and thought that you said "D300" and was going to rag on you for buying that for your first camera. My apologies!

Everything I've learned has been from other photographers (hounding them with questions over and over) and reading tutorials online.

Lighting, Actions, Levels, Brushes, Backgrounds, DOF, Etc... best way to learn is to do it!

[Algernonep]

Originally Posted by klr

Read tutorials.

At first I read this and thought that you said "D300" and was going to rag on you for buying that for your first camera. My apologies!

Everything I've learned has been from other photographers (hounding them with questions over and over) and reading tutorials online.

Lighting, Actions, Levels, Brushes, Backgrounds, DOF, Etc... best way to learn is to do it!

I don't understand what thread you were reading. It clear says D3000. Maybe I'm wrong... But, I think it does D3000 not D300. D3000 replace my first DSLR which was a D60. I didn't have my D60 long at all before I bought a D700. I still use the D60. Nice purchase Valarie!

[klr]

Originally Posted by Algernonep

I don't understand what thread you were reading. It clear says D3000. Maybe I'm wrong... But, I think it does D3000 not D300. D3000 replace my first DSLR which was a D60. I didn't have my D60 long at all before I bought a D700. I still use the D60. Nice purchase Valarie!

What are you talking about . . . ?

I know it clearly says D3000, I mention in my post, if you had read it properly, that at first I thought it read that she had bought a D300. Which is a professional camera.

I think it's ridiculous for somebody brand new to photography to waste thousands of dollars on a professional camera and gear when all you do it stick her on auto and shoot, or, if you don't know you really want to pursue it.

[Algernonep]

Originally Posted by klr

What are you talking about . . . ?

I know it clearly says D3000, I mention in my post, if you had read it properly, that at first I thought it read that she had bought a D300. Which is a professional camera.

I think it's ridiculous for somebody brand new to photography to waste thousands of dollars on a professional camera and gear when all you do it stick her on auto and shoot, or, if you don't know you really want to pursue it.

See...
I was wrong. I can always admit to being wrong. I guess I read your post wrong... Sorry!

[klr]

Originally Posted by Algernonep

See...
I was wrong. I can always admit to being wrong. I guess I read your post wrong... Sorry!

No it's cool!

I bet you what happened was you read my post before I edited.

I wrote it, then re-read the original post and realized it was a D3000, not D300.