New Digital DSLR user after so many tears with SLR Film

[DarkShadow]

I purchased a New Nikon D7000 with 18-105 lens kit I also have a Nikon 50mm 1.8D that I already had from My Nikon N80 film slr. I am using Full manual with the exception of my ISO in Auto.Here is my first sample picture of my aquarium shot with No flash but just the aquarium lighting.Shot with AF-S at ISO 2200 at 105mm f5.6 1//20 hand held.the log is the main subject what do you guys think.Some how I managed foreground blur with background blur that IMO made the log pop.

 

[The_Traveler]

Sorry, to be down on your first shot but, it looks wayyyyy over-saturated to me and the log seems like a funny choice to be in focus.

 

[DarkShadow]

Thanks for the reply,yes is was in vivid mode,its actually over saturated a little but the decor is actually pretty colorful.The log detail and sharpness is what I was looking for not the fish.BTW dont be sorry constructive criticism is always good.What do you think about this shot.No he dont have a black eye,the sun was all on his left my right.There was no edit other then crop.

BTW Traveler, I love your black and white photo's

 

[Joves]

Well since you are new to digital my first suggestion is if you plan on shooting in Jpeg to go through all of the Picture Control settings, and learn how they work. That way you know how to control the effect you are looking for. When I get a new body the first thing I do is setup the camera on a tripod and shoot a series of photos changing the settings in each of the Control Modes. Also you may want to start shooting in RAW+Jpeg Fine, this way if you do not get what you are looking for in the Jpeg you then have the RAW file to work. I personally would ditch the Auto ISO because most of the time it picks an ISO I would not normally use. The beauty of digital is being able to change the ISO as needed, this is why I will never return to film, no more finishing off a roll so you can get to a different speed.

 

[DarkShadow]

Thanks Joves,yes your right the Nikon D7000 is loaded with features and takes some getting use to.I may start in raw after a while but this is the first time I have shot in manual mode and more I play with it the more i dont ever want to use auto modes and eventually the ISO will come out of manual.I even made my own menu for settings so I dont have to go digging around the entire menu to find the ones I need to change.

 

[The_Traveler]

Your second shot is totally OOF and he has racoon eyes because:

Your shutter is too slow.
It never should be less that 1/focal length (or more if you are, as you were, shooting with a crop frame)

Your ISO is way, way, way too low and your aperture way way way too small.
Shoot at f5.6 or f 8 at iso 400 and 1/250 (or something like that) when the light is less harsh and your shots will be infinitely better.


corrected typo

 

[DarkShadow]

Your second shot is totally OOF and he has racoon eyes because:

Your shutter is too slow.
It never should be less that 1/focal length (or more if you are, as you were, shooting with a crop frame)

Your ISO is way, way, way too low and your aperture way way way too small.
Shoot at f5.6 or f 8 at iso 400 and 1/20 (or something like that) when the light is less harsh and your shots will be infinitely better.

Thanks for the tips,lot to learn as you can see.I have to keep practicing I could only imagine what this camera is capable of once I no what I am doing.

 

[The_Traveler]

You will save yourself a lot of false starts if you read a bit about exposure and using light.

 

[DarkShadow]

I agree and have been reading a lot,I may have to pickup a good book or two.This is a hobby for me with a passion but looking forward to pro quality photos instead of crapy point and shot.At least with my D7000 I can grow for years to come with its features and lenses and its not boring thats for sure.