Camera Settings? Please assist?

[NikonD40x@Denver]

Need help with the learning aperture and shutter speed, is there a good book or website that would show me examples of different settings and how they would look? Here is a shot of my dog just trying to learn our new camera, C&C please!!

 

[jon_k]

I'd buy

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003/ref=pd_bbs_1/105-3956009-2283634?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186871634&sr=8-1[/ame]

I bought the book when I was learning and it really helped teach the basics.

Here is another: http://www.photonhead.com/exposure/exposure.php

A more technical thread about the relation:
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-5614.html

Until you get comfortable with going full manual and setting both, I'd shoot in aperture priority or shutter priority. This will let you control one or the other while the camera balances the other. After a while you'll get an idea and be able to switch to full manual.

Just remember aperture is also the only variable that controls your depth of field. If you want a specific type of depth of field, you'll have to consider that.

 

[MikeR]

I'd buy

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding...2283634?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186871634&sr=8-1

I bought the book when I was learning and it really helped teach the basics.

Until you get comfortable with going full manual and setting both, I'd shoot in aperture priority or shutter priority. This will let you control one or the other while the camera balances the other. After a while you'll get an idea and be able to switch to full manual.

Just remember aperture is also the only variable that controls your depth of field. If you want a specific type of depth of field, you'll have to consider that.

Great advice and another vote for Understanding Exposure.

 

[WDodd]

Definitely pick up Understanding Exposure.

If I were you I would create your own sets of images using different settings to see how they look. If you understand how to change the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO on your camera I would just play with different values of each of these on the same subject with the same lighting.

I think this will be a way better way to learn how it effects pictures than shooting in aperture or shutter priority. In those modes the camera is still doing part of the thinking.

Set your f-stop first and then adjust the shutter speed so that the light meter is directly in the middle and take a shot. And then over and under expose the shot and it should give you a good idea how that changes things.

 

[NikonD40x@Denver]

Definitely pick up Understanding Exposure.

If I were you I would create your own sets of images using different settings to see how they look. If you understand how to change the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO on your camera I would just play with different values of each of these on the same subject with the same lighting.

I think this will be a way better way to learn how it effects pictures than shooting in aperture or shutter priority. In those modes the camera is still doing part of the thinking.

Set your f-stop first and then adjust the shutter speed so that the light meter is directly in the middle and take a shot. And then over and under expose the shot and it should give you a good idea how that changes things.

Hey thanks, I already look at the details of the picture and write it down in a notebook...... I'll try the suggestions

 

[stuckupsigns]

I was having a huge problem setting my D40 up. Half of the reason was my photography ignorance, the other seems to be a problem with the light meter on the D40. Anyways, after setting up my D40 like the guy on this site says....

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

hope that helps!

 

[boomersgot3]

I also agree with everyone else that Understanding exposure is a good book. I bought it about 2 months ago and I find that i can still go back to my book for reference anytime I have a question. Great book for beginners and Pros!!

 

[Rebel Storm]

+1 on Understanding Exposure...excellent information:thumbup:

 

[Stranger]

+1 on Understanding Exposure. Really helped me understand and a very fun read.

 

[Jeremy.Hung]

Actually, you don't really have to buy a plain photography book, I bought a book by Andy Rouse, called Wildlife Travel Photography and it had just as much information on the topics you mentioned. If you're not into photography, there is Landscape and plain Travel photography too.