How to start??

[deeky]

For example playing with and understanding white balance is next on my list as soon as I master this moon shot that has been bugging me - hopefully tonight!

In most cases, mastering that moon shot will be alot easier if you take the time to study and learn how to use your camera first and then apply what you know in a photo situation. Otherwise it's a lot slower learning curve if not a full on crapshoot.

It's not always easy, it's not always fun. It's kind of like college - classes diffinitely were not the fun part, and I don't think anyone that finished college will argue that classes were unneccessary.

 

[amolitor]

I think you can probably skip anything in the manual about "scene modes" and most of the business about "editing in the camera" without losing much. I don't know how much of this stuff a d5100 has, but the d3100 is a friggin maze of that sort of nonsense. You only need to know enough about it to avoid it.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Thanks tirediron and KMH.
I will go through the manual once I get my delivery. But I heard manual is too long to go through, hence people avoid it and start using it directly.

I love photography, so I ordered DSLR. Previously I used to use digital camera. Sony cybershot.

And their pics very clearly show it

 

[Designer]

How do I start with??

1. Read the user's manual. Not just once, but re-read the parts that are of interest to you at the time. Pay attention to the examples.

2. Try some of the examples therein.

3. Check out the tutorials on this and other websites.

4. Check out a book or two on compostion. Try your local library, or purchase one if you can.

5. Practice as much as you can to familiarize yourself with the controls and menus.

 

[daveinoz]

For example playing with and understanding white balance is next on my list as soon as I master this moon shot that has been bugging me - hopefully tonight!

In most cases, mastering that moon shot will be alot easier if you take the time to study and learn how to use your camera first and then apply what you know in a photo situation. Otherwise it's a lot slower learning curve if not a full on crapshoot.

It's not always easy, it's not always fun. It's kind of like college - classes diffinitely were not the fun part, and I don't think anyone that finished college will argue that classes were unneccessary.

Thanks Deekie. Everyone learns in different ways. The manual that comes with my camera assumes you you understand aperture and f/stop - and it tells you hwo to change and apply them. It does not spend pages explaining the technical terms to beginners nor do many camera manuals so you have to go out and play with your camera and use forums like this to learn more.

And using the camera a lot helps you refine these things. I disagree. It can be fun if you know what style of learning works for you.

 

[KmH]

Think of it as a semester in school. Professors don't throw everything at you in one setting. They teach you then give you assignments to try it out. Do the same and soon you will be very familiar with your camera!

Teachers/Professors have to pace a course to the average learner in the class.

Often those that learn fast get bored waiting for everyone else.

So for self study, the key is to go at the pace that works for you, not the pace that works for someone else.

 

[Trig.]

Opposed to reading the manual i would become comfortable with aperture priority mode or shutter priority mode as you have control but still are assisted by the camera , unless you have an idea how to expose images correctly i would become familiar with the function of the ISO F/ and Shutter speed .

 

[2WheelPhoto]

*MOD edit - please don't quote spam - just report it*

smells like spam. like old rotten spam =)

 

[Bram]

Asking where to start with photography is like asking somebody what to draw... You're the artist come up with your own ideas and SHOOT!

 

[deeky]

For example playing with and understanding white balance is next on my list as soon as I master this moon shot that has been bugging me - hopefully tonight!

In most cases, mastering that moon shot will be alot easier if you take the time to study and learn how to use your camera first and then apply what you know in a photo situation. Otherwise it's a lot slower learning curve if not a full on crapshoot.

It's not always easy, it's not always fun. It's kind of like college - classes diffinitely were not the fun part, and I don't think anyone that finished college will argue that classes were unneccessary.

Thanks Deekie. Everyone learns in different ways. The manual that comes with my camera assumes you you understand aperture and f/stop - and it tells you hwo to change and apply them. It does not spend pages explaining the technical terms to beginners nor do many camera manuals so you have to go out and play with your camera and use forums like this to learn more.

And using the camera a lot helps you refine these things. I disagree. It can be fun if you know what style of learning works for you.

I understand learning styles - it's my living. I also understand the importance of prerequisites. If you don't understand the exposure triangle, cover the prerequisite first (wherever you are in the process) and then move your way up.

You may think you learn best by doing (kinesthetic learner). Have you done an assessment? Most people are surprised by their actual preferred learning style when they are intentional about learning it. Research also tells us that, regardless of your preferred learning style, the more methods you use, the more you will retain. Read the book, re-work the book with camera in hand. Attend a class or find videos to watch/listen to. Practice the material and evaluate.

There is theory and application. If you are going to be the most successful, you need both. Just grabbing the camera and shooting is very application heavy, very difficult to grasp the theory behind what you are doing.

And finally, if you are going to argue with an answer, apparently you already knew where to start. So why did you ask?

 

[sabbath999]

Thanks tirediron and KMH.
I will go through the manual once I get my delivery. But I heard manual is too long to go through, hence people avoid it and start using it directly.

People who's photography you respect tell you this? Or is it just some guy with a camera tells you to skip it? I know of few good photographers who would advise you to just skip learning how to use your camera properly.

Download the manual, read the manual. If you don't understand something, don't worry about it, just come back to it later when you have the camera in hand.

 

[Hikaribushi]

The single most important thing that you can do (and 99% of new camera owners DON'T do) is read and understand your camera's manual!

I absolutely second this suggestion. I recently purchased a 5D Mark II and I've spent a lot of time reading the manual and doing things in different ways than I was used to (i.e. not shooting in Program Mode). I also obtained a PDF version of the manual and put it on my e-readed (iPad) where I keep copies of any manuals I reference. I learn by repetition and by doing, so I've started shooting a lot more and I'm keeping a (small moleskine) diary/journal dedicated strictly to photography. The first two pages are dedicated solely to quick reminders about ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed (since these things are not yet second nature to me). Take lots of photos and have fun!

 

[MLeeK]

Keep your manual in your camera bag. You will refer back to it OFTEN in the initial months with your camera.
I also HIGHLY suggest you order one of the books about your camera such as this one David Busch's Compact Field Guide for Nikon D5100 9781435460874
The camera manual will give you a definition of the feature and tell you where it is, but the guide will explain to you what it does, when and why to use it.

 

[Superfitz]

Keep your manual in your camera bag. You will refer back to it OFTEN in the initial months with your camera.
I also HIGHLY suggest you order one of the books about your camera such as this one David Busch's Compact Field Guide for Nikon D5100 9781435460874
The camera manual will give you a definition of the feature and tell you where it is, but the guide will explain to you what it does, when and why to use it.

Manuals are for suckers. Read through this link.

http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5100/users-guide/index.htm

Then look on you tube for videos about the 5100

 

[KmH]

Psychology is an inexact science.

The notion of 'learning styles' has been around since the 1970's.

Putting the notion of learning styles to use according to the the 'meshing hypothesis', teachers assess the learning styles of their students and adapt their classroom methods to best fit (mesh) each student's learning style.

Though popular, in so far that both children and adults express having a learning style preference, the basis and productiveness for the proposals of learning styles and the meshing hypothesis, have been extensively criticized since the 1970's.

The criticism stems from the fact there are no well-designed, double blind experimental type studies that provide evidence that identifying a student's learning style, and then adapting classroom methods to best fit each student, actually produces better learning outcomes.
There is hoever significant evidence that implementation of the learning style assessment and 'meshing hypothesis" (that a student will learn best if taught in a method deemed appropriate for the student's learning style) is in fact invalid.