Newbie going to Vegas

Stallion_51 · Feb 19, 2015

Hi all! I am new to this forum and pretty new to photography. I have had my Nikon D5100 for a few years now but have never really gotten into it. Lately I have picked it back up and bought some new lenses. I have the kit lens (18-55), Tamron 70-300, and I just picked up a 35mm. I am bringing them all to Vegas with me and couldn't be more excited to see what kind of photos I will be able to take. I pulled the 35mm out of the box yesterday and started to play around with it. I noticed that when I was really close to a subject that it would try to AF and then when it couldn't I wasn't able to snap a picture. Like I said I am extremely new and especially new to play around in manual mode. I had my camera setting as follows, F1.8, ISO 2500 and shutter at 1/2000. I'm going to be completely honest and say I'm not 100% sure what these settings do or how they make the camera react. Could someone please school me or show me some literature to help me better understand. I took some nice photos of my fiance's sisters horses. I will have to post a few for everyone to view. Thanks in advanced for any help!!

wfooshee · Feb 19, 2015

Exposure triangle!!! ISO, aperture, and shutter speed all do different things when changed, but all affect the amount of light recorded on the image, so they have to be balanced against each other. Don't go full manual until you know what the settings actually mean. Also, to start out I would disable auto-ISO, because your camera can adjust that and if you don't notice that it did, you may think your other adjustment actually worked, when in fact the camera compensated for it by adjusting the ISO.

Pick one of the priority modes, A or S. you set the aperture (A) or shutter (S) and the camera sets the other, based on its meter reading and your ISO setting. You can adjust your setting and see what the camera responds with. Also adjust the ISO and see how the camera responds.

The secret is not to "shotgun" the adjustments. Don't change EVERYTHING at one time, change one thing at one time. Too many changes and you won't know which one caused what you see.

If you get to where you need good shots rather than a learning experience, you don't have time to screw around, then switch to P or Auto.

Stallion_51 · Feb 19, 2015

Hmmm I never thought about that. Then I can look back at what it auto adjusted to and use it as a learning curve

unpopular · Feb 19, 2015

No matter how many free buffets they offer, it's not worth the high pressure marketing.

yellow ant · Feb 21, 2015

wfooshee said:
Exposure triangle!!! ISO, aperture, and shutter speed all do different things when changed, but all affect the amount of light recorded on the image, so they have to be balanced against each other. Don't go full manual until you know what the settings actually mean. Also, to start out I would disable auto-ISO, because your camera can adjust that and if you don't notice that it did, you may think your other adjustment actually worked, when in fact the camera compensated for it by adjusting the ISO.

Pick one of the priority modes, A or S. you set the aperture (A) or shutter (S) and the camera sets the other, based on its meter reading and your ISO setting. You can adjust your setting and see what the camera responds with. Also adjust the ISO and see how the camera responds.

The secret is not to "shotgun" the adjustments. Don't change EVERYTHING at one time, change one thing at one time. Too many changes and you won't know which one caused what you see.

If you get to where you need good shots rather than a learning experience, you don't have time to screw around, then switch to P or Auto.

This is the best way to learn. One mode and see what changing things do. You see what levels/settings the camera does for you. And you nearly always get a decent photo so not wasting those unique moments.

And dont forget to shoot some dice and bullets!

Lucryster · Feb 21, 2015

You can drink for free, as long as your gambling, even at the quarter slot machines!!!

unpopular · Feb 21, 2015

Lucryster said:
You can drink for free, as long as your gambling, even at the quarter slot machines!!!

Just don't do what my wife did and won a couple hundred bucks but was too drunk to realize it and didn't cash out.

snowbear · Feb 21, 2015

Out of curiosity, are cameras allowed into casinos?

Lucryster · Feb 21, 2015

snowbear said:
Out of curiosity, are cameras allowed into casinos?

Might get away with bringing one in, but dont try and use it inside.

snowbear · Feb 21, 2015

Lucryster said:
snowbear said:

Out of curiosity, are cameras allowed into casinos?

Click to expand...

Might get away with bringing one in, but dont try and use it inside.

That's what I figured.

sashbar · Feb 21, 2015

That was the only tourist destination that I have left with more money in my pocket. I was quite surprised by a comparatively low level of poker they played at $ 1-2 in Bellagio, never mind other casinos.

You can bring your camera into casinos and you can shoot inside, just do not shoot playing tables at a close distance, you will be approached by the staff.

Be aware that the lighting is not favourable inside a casino.

Lucryster · Feb 21, 2015

sashbar said:
That was the only tourist destination that I have left with more money in my pocket. I was quite surprised by a comparatively low level of poker they played at $ 1-2 in Bellagio, never mind other casinos.

You can bring your camera into casinos and you can shoot inside, just do not shoot playing tables at a close distance, you will be approached by the staff.

Be aware that the lighting is not favourable inside a casino.

Must of changed since i was there, which was around 20 years ago.