I got my T3i today...

[Smitzel269]

and Realized that I have no idea what I'm doing :/

 

[analog.universe]

I had the good fortune of ordering my new camera in the middle of Vermont winter. I brought the box into the house and was so terrified of condensation on the likely -10 F body, that I left it closed up and read the manual cover to cover for 3 hours.

Probably not as easy once the camera is in your hand

 

[Raian-san]

Cause you're on here complaining you little baby!

Kidding aside, go to the Borders, Barnes and Noble and grab Understanding Exposure. So while you're on the computer, checking on the forum, you can read it to learn and practice on the spot and take photos of beer bottles, cup of noodles, lol sorry I'm just writing whatever I'm seeing on my computer desk. Oh yeah, don't forget you got a free book, it's your manual. :thumbup:

 

[Robin Usagani]

If I had to start over again I would:
1. read this Cambridge in Colour - Photography Tutorials & Learning Community
2. read the camera manual

I would do it in that order. Reading the manual first before you understand what you are doing will not help you that much, I think anyway.

 

[Smitzel269]

Yeah like I have been playing with the ISO and aperature and shutter speed, I read through a lot of the manual, and I just don't know what to do with them.

 

[Raian-san]

Yeah like I have been playing with the ISO and aperature and shutter speed, I read through a lot of the manual, and I just don't know what to do with them.

Like Schwettylens, unless you understand the basic and what it do, the manual is almost useless. It's like teaching Algebra formula to people who never taken or understand Algebra. Go read on his recommended book or Understanding Exposure. It'll makes understand photography much better and faster.

 

[Smitzel269]

Ok awesome. I will look into that. I have just been using the Intelligent Auto which completely defeats the purpose of a DSLR.

 

[Samerr9]

Cutting the story short..

1) ISO = Sensitivity
Higher ISO: +ve --> more light
-ve --> More grains
It is better to have lowest ISO to get grain free photos

2) Shutter Speed: Speed of curtains opening
Higher SH S: +ve --> more light
-ve --> Blury photo
Don't go too low under 1/160 as you might get some blur if you need your photo sharp

3) Aprture: Lens opening
Lower f stop: +ve --> more light and more blury back ground..
-ve --> you need expensive lenses


As all said you really need to master the understanding and applying those on manual mode

 

[Scarlet Siren]

I bought my first Nikon D5100 two weeks ago and I know what you feel. I've been reading up on so much information and it does feel like there's a lot to take in. I wish my model came with a full copy of the manual instead I have a partial copy and the full version is a PDF. Blah. Anyway....

I agree with the person who said take pictures of a beer bottle or whatever, since I've been doing more or less the same thing with random objects (wine bottles and glasses being a personal favourite as I have plenty of them...and candles!).

First I concentrated on aperture, then I concentrated on shutter speed and so on and so on and in Lightroom I compared the pictures and I've been taking notes of what I found. What differences did you notice from f3.5 all the way to f22? what happens if you shoot at 100 iso one minute and 6400 iso (just to make a point) and try and determine when you would use one or the other. Then get outside and practice until you start to get it. Review your photos, select your favorites post them up here and ask for critique!

Read the manual in conjunction with practicing. Read. Practice. Review. Feedback. And repeat.

Practice. Practice. Practice! It's the only thing that's helping me.

Also, I would shoot one picture in auto, review the information, turn to manual and use the same settings, then I was gradually change the settings until I create something I like.

Good luck and congrats on your new camera!

 

[lyonsroar]

Don't go too low under 1/160 as you might get some blur if you need your photo sharp

Not true. This depends on your focal length and your ability to hold a camera steady. The rule is no shutter speeds slower than the focal length you are using. (50mm focal length, don't go below 1/50 of a second, etc.)

With the Sigma 10-20mm I can handhold a 1/10 or 1/20 second shot easy peasy.

3) Aprture: Lens opening
Lower f stop: +ve --> more light and more blury back ground..
-ve --> you need expensive lenses

large aperture lenses really don't **need** to be expensive. The 50mm f1.8 is a large aperture lens and it costs what, $130 or something like that...

 

[willis_927]

^^^ what he said about shutter speed. There is going to be times when you can not possibly get 1/160 in low light without a flash. Good camera holding techniques are important without a monopod/tripod in these situations.