Extreme Beginnner to SLR

Cowgirlin · Sep 4, 2012

Hi all!!

I have been toying with the idea of getting into Photography for the last few years. My husband, bless his heart, bought me a Nikon D3000. I haven't got a clue what to do so have fun introducing me to the world of SLR. Just please don't be rude about it.

Let the fun begin!

I played with the camera this weekend at a family reunion, and these are the only ones that I would dare show, so feel free to critique.

2WheelPhoto · Sep 4, 2012

she's cute! google "fill flash"

NikonNinja89 · Sep 5, 2012

I agree...you need a flash

Jaemie · Sep 5, 2012

^^ Yes, get a flash.

Also, it's SLR if you mean a film Single Lens Reflex camera, and DSLR if you mean Digital Single Lens Reflex camera (like your D3000). Photography is great fun, and this forum is a great place to learn the craft in addition to books, videos (Youtube), and of course, the good old camera's user guide. Have fun.

Designer · Sep 5, 2012

cowgirlin; Thank you for sharing these photographs.

#1 & #4 the camera has focused on the wall, instead of the model. There is a way to work with this, so consult your user's manual.
#2 composition is better, but you should be prepared to offer direction to the model. I think in this shot it would have been better to ask her to look at the camera and smile.
#3 the biggest problem is the angle. For someone who is seated on the ground, you need to kneel or bend way down to make the camera about the same height as the model's face.

Start saving up for that speedlight, you'll love it.

Stradawhovious · Sep 5, 2012

Move to single point focusing. It seems that you might be in the "3d focusing" mode that the D3000 has. I used to use that when I first started with my D3000, then I learned it focuses on ANYTHING but the subject.

Read up on the exposure triangle, and use that knowledge to get out of auto mode. Armed with knowledge of what makes a balanced exposure, you will have much more control over things in Aperture or shutter priority modes than in auto.

Also, read your manual front to back a few times, and know what every light, button know bell and whistle on your camera does. Makes things easier in the long run.

ld3davis · Sep 5, 2012

Congrats on the camera and welcome to photography. All I can say is it's a very fun and rewarding hobby. Your fourth photo really tells the story about how necessary it is for us to take charge of our cameras and make them do what we want them to do and not what they want to do. If not, it'll focus on the wall lol. Keep reading, learning, shooting and having fun.

Maneef · Sep 5, 2012

this might help
twiching: A brief Introduction to types of Photography

Cowgirlin · Sep 5, 2012

Thanks for the suggestions! I knew that it was focusing on the wall, but I couldn't figure out why, and am still a little confused as to why, but I will take y'all suggestions and start reading.

As far as the third pic, I was coaching LOL. She HATES having her picture taken and that was the best that she would give me. Gotta love teenagers. LOL

How do y'all feel about classes? I have been looking into some classes for beginners as well as workshops.

Superfitz · Sep 5, 2012

Cowgirlin said:
...how do y'all feel about classes? I have been looking into some classes for beginners as well as workshops.

Classes are a good idea if you learn better that way (as opposed to just buying a book or two and scouring the Internet. Workshops are great, but they are usually tailored to one or two specific areas. Since that is the case, I would recommend classes first.

Jaemie · Sep 5, 2012

I think inexpensive community college type classes are fine. You'll learn some essentials, but you'll also get out and meet other photography people. Plus, you might get assignments that push you beyond your comfort zone, and that can be very helpful. Sounds like fun.