First Time Out C&C

[DaninMD]

When you say focus what is it you mean? As in the picture isn't in focus or I've focused on the wrong subject in a picture?

some photos were out of focus.

 

[Itsbigdave]

some photos were out of focus.

Ok thank you. After looking back over them I see what you mean. About the focus. I should of used my tripod more.
I am goin to try and practice my depth of field after reading a bit more tonight. The main thing so far is I can't seem to isolate objects too well with my kit lens where as my prime is extremely good at it but does have a lower f stop so that's probably why

 

[DaninMD]

yeah, opening the aperture up as much as possible with increase bokeh. you can decrease the DOF by getting closer to the object in focus. DOF is a component of distance/ratio from the camera to the object, and distance of the object to the background. getting closer to the object will really help blur out things behind more....so going with a wider lens and getting a little bit closer might help. a fast lens is the easiest way. of course that's only when you are intending to do that, which isn't always the case obviously.

if you are hand holding just make sure to have a fast enough shutter speed. typically they say 1/focal length...i.e. for a 100mm lens = 1/100 sec. that is if your camera holding technique is average. better technique can reduce that quite a bit...bad technique could be more (1/160, etc). try it out and see what shutter speed you need based on your technique.

 

[Itsbigdave]

Ok brilliant thank you. I will bare all of that in mind.
I found the histogram function on my d3200 and looked at the photos from last night. Some were extreme right some extremely left which I now know means that it's meant to be extremely over/under exposed but surely if its taken at night like the photos were its going to be more one than the other? Also with the bridge photos the white lights flash on the camera display screen does this mean over exposed? How do I neutralize them without slowing down the shutter too much that the picture becomes under exposed? Is it a case to just retake the photo several times?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions just eager to learn. I so appreciate the help

Dave