Various Animals - CC

[Moana]

Hello everyone! I'm pretty much new to this hobby, and I could use some help and tips should you have some spare time.
I can't really seem to get the "hang of it" and most pictures I take just turn out... well, not that great. I try reading as much as I can about everything to try and improve, but there's SO MUCH stuff out there, it's hard to know where to start exactly. I did buy a book about shooting raw and I've been messing around with that lately. It seemed like a good starting point to me.

If you guys could give me tips about what I should look into and try out, I'd appreciate it so much. Or even books I should purchase!
I'm not looking for individual CC on each and every picture. More like "overall" aspects to improve.
Thanks for your time!

 

[BlackSheep]

Hello everyone! I'm pretty much new to this hobby, and I could use some help and tips should you have some spare time.
I can't really seem to get the "hang of it" and most pictures I take just turn out... well, not that great. I try reading as much as I can about everything to try and improve, but there's SO MUCH stuff out there, it's hard to know where to start exactly. I did buy a book about shooting raw and I've been messing around with that lately. It seemed like a good starting point to me.

If you guys could give me tips about what I should look into and try out, I'd appreciate it so much. Or even books I should purchase!
Even though it's just a hobby, I'd like to take some decent pictures. I currently use a D40 (been thinking of upgrading to a D7000, but perhaps I should pick up more lenses first?) and carry around a Nikkor 55-200mm and a Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG (I also have a Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8D). I mostly shoot in Aperture mode --- perhaps I should take the plunge to Manual? I'm a fan of crisp and detailed images.

Not bad, I like your lion photo the best.

What I suggest - you've been reading lots (which is great), but that could be giving you information overload. Why don't you take bits of what you have read, one thing at a time, and practice that one thing (i.e. DOF, or a particular type of composition, etc.) for a while? Take a look around for "assignments" you can work on, there's a sub-forum on here with lots of good examples. And don't worry about upgrading your camera unless you really want to do it, you can learn so much with the camera you already have. Slow down, practice one element at a time, and then you will absolutely get the hang of it

 

[Moana]

I apologize for the late reply - thank you very much!
I guess I forgot to specify, but indeed I was looking for general CC (and not for each unique picture).
Looking for "assignments" seems like a wonderful idea and I will try this out. I shall go check the forums!
Thanks so much!