Few Newbie Questions

[kit80]

I bought by first DSLR 2 weeks ago (picked up a Nikon D60 for price of D40!!) I have bought several books including D60 for Dummies which has been brilliant so far and I am going photo shooting as often as possible but got few NOOB issues...


The Nikon transfer software, my laptop has been crashing ever since I installed it, I have tried uploading straight off the smart card via USB hub thingy but that doesn’t work, do you have to use the Nikon Software?

Also want to order another lens this weekend I have 18-55mm Zoom, I haven’t found the bit in the book yet that explains zooms, I want to zoom further into the distant than I can now? what do I need so I don’t look like a complete tard in the camera shop?

I am learning things as fast as an old bat like me can but am getting impatient now, how long do you think it takes to get out of automatic mode? (I switched it to manual once it wouldnt do anything.lol)

And if your up for a bit of critique, I took this shot this week, I love the idea of the shot but I know it could be better...any tips? (Was in automatic close up mode - have done no editing to it, and was fairly dull day)




I will also do a search as am sure it has been asked before but I have no Photoshop skills (or Photoshop for that matter) is this type of software essential? Is there an easier version of this software?

Thanks in advance, I appreciate all the advice, tips, critique, insults, and punctuation amendments you can offer

Sarah

[Gold]

kit80 said:

Also want to order another lens this weekend I have 18-55mm Zoom, I haven’t found the bit in the book yet that explains zooms, I want to zoom further into the distant than I can now? what do I need so I don’t look like a complete tard in the camera shop?

You want a lens with a longer reach, i.e. any lens with a zoom of above 55mm, take a look here:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/category/basecateg...

You are looking for something like this: http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.as...

kit80 said:

And if your up for a bit of critique, I took this shot this week, I love the idea of the shot but I know it could be better...any tips? (Was in automatic close up mode - have done no editing to it, and was fairly dull day)



I will also do a search as am sure it has been asked before but I have no Photoshop skills (or Photoshop for that matter) is this type of software essential? Is there an easier version of this software?

Subject is all important. In that photo I might have highlighted the fuel pump more. I've thrown it into photoshop if you don't mind:

[GetCarter]

a 70 - 300 is probably the lens you need. The 'G' is the cheapest (but is good). The 'ED' poduces slightly better results and is built better, the AF-S is the posh end and has image stabilisation (which is not NEEDED but will let you take photos in slightly darker conditions.

If you e bay Nikkor 70-300 you'll find them all.

As for software - GIMP is free and is (apparently) pretty good. Paint Shop Pro is very good and 20% the price of Photoshop, or 'Elements' is 'photoshop lite'

Good luck

Steve

[Kermit power]

kit80 said:

I am learning things as fast as an old bat like me can but am getting impatient now, how long do you think it takes to get out of automatic mode? (I switched it to manual once it wouldnt do anything.lol)

I would suggest you come out of the automatic modes right now!

Don't worry about full manual mode for the moment. You can do some great things with it, but you can also do pretty much infinite amounts of great stuff before you need to even think about using it.

The first mode you should probably try is Aperture priority - simply labelled 'A' on Nikon cameras, I think. In this mode, you choose the aperture of the lens (how wide it opens) and the camera automatically calculates the shutter speed (how long it opens).

The reason you want to do this is that the aperture of the lens determines the depth of focus on the picture. A very low F number such as f/2.8 will have a very narrow depth of focus, which produces the sort of shot where your subject looks really clear against a blurred background, whereas a higher f number will produce a much wider range of focus for landscapes and the like. Start using this, and you will start to get much more creative shots far more quickly.

The other semi-automatic mode is shutter priority (S on a Nikon). This lets you choose the shutter speed, and sets the aperture accordingly. This is mainly of use if you're photographing something moving and want to either freeze it in place (fast shutter speed) or artistically blur it (slower shutter speed). It's also useful if you're trying to take handheld shots in low light, as you can, within reason, set the camera as fast as you need it to be to take the shot without wobble showing, and the camera will automatically set the right aperture.

If that's not too clear, the easiest thing to do is to try it! Put the camera in 'A' on the dial, then set the aperture to the lowest number you can (I imagine there will be a jog wheel of some description to do this) and take a picture of pretty much anything with space behind it. Then set the aperture number significantly higher, take the same shot and compare the results.

[andy-xr]

You'll probably need Nikon AFS or Sigma HSM lenses for that body, it's the same as the D40/D40X on the auto focus.

You can use non AFS lenses on it, but you'll have to focus manually. At 300mm thats not going to be nice to be honest

[GetCarter]

Sorry - didn't realise your camera body didn't have autofocus motor. You will as suggested need the AF-S

[Simpo Two]

I think most of your questions have been answered already but:

kit80 said:

The Nikon transfer software, my laptop has been crashing ever since I installed it, I have tried uploading straight off the smart card via USB hub thingy but that doesn’t work, do you have to use the Nikon Software?

I avoid camera-makers software like the plague. You don't need any software to get the image files from memory card to PC. You can either connect the camera directly to the PC with the USB lead supplied (check manual for camera settings), or take the card out and use a card reader instead. Either way, your PC should see the card as another drive, then you just browse to it and copy/paste the images to where you want them.

[Goldeeno]

How long does it take to get out of Automatic mode..... within the first second of turning the camera on... you jut need to make sure your in the right auto mode..

I think you missed probably the most important part of photography off in your posted photo.... Composure and composition. You cropped the bottom of the pump off. Also the pump is composed on the 1/3rd, which is good generally (normally pleasing to the eye if objects are on the 1/3rds, imaging the photo split into three segments.), but everything to the left of the pump is rather boring.... so as far as settings go, i would be working your way through understand the Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, you won't go too far wrong with finding correct exposures in them, but they allow you to be more creative in what your photo will end up like, but i would concentrate on finding interesting angles and compositions.

I was in the same position as you about 1 year and a half ago, i read forums... wouldn't bother with magazines, forums are free (Im tight), also try meeting up with other photographers, i learn more out shooting then reading any book, so get a group of mates together and get out there. Hope it helps, and if your ever up Crewe way and fancy shooting give me a shout.

As for that shot heres what i would have done....
Probably shot the pump from kneeling height (im tall ), trying to get level with the dials, in portrait orientation, try to leave some ground under the pump. Or would have not taken a shot of the whole pump, i quite like the look of the dials so maybe some nice close ups of the pump handles etc.

Edited by Goldeeno on Saturday 31st January 22:47

Edited by Goldeeno on Saturday 31st January 22:47

[kit80]

Wow that is really a fantastic response, who knew you guys where so helpful..lol

I will have a good read of all the replies (understood most of it I think )

I did see a man about some training this afternoon and he specialises is motor sport which is a bonus, so we are having a chat Monday, money will be worth it if he moves me a long in one afternoon in what could have taken me months to try and understand just by reading.

I managed to upload pictures without the software on a different laptop so must be my rubbish laptop

Thanks for the crop and photo shopping, LOVE the black white and red, I take it this is what I need software for as I can only do black and white on the camera. Will try the suggested free software but depends on how hard it is to use more than anything else, enough to learn with the camera..lol. Think I was taking the thirds rule a bit far in mine, I wanted to go the other way (left) with red door but was plastered in "Do not park here signs" (and yes I was parked there..is it me or do you become a slight trespasser with this hobby? )

Will have a go at the manual settings as well thanks for all the info.

Will also get a lens sorted, plus a long list of accessories which gets bigger the more I learn about stuff

Anyway thanks again for the advice and info much appreciated, never know I might be able to join in comps etc with some acceptable pictures soon. lol

Sarah

[Simpo Two]

Goldeeno said:

I think you missed probably the most important part of photography off in your posted photo.... Composure.

Yep, that and Composition...

[Goldeeno]

Simpo Two said:

Goldeeno said:

I think you missed probably the most important part of photography off in your posted photo.... Composure.

Yep, that and Composition...

I don't know what your on about

If your after motorsport, im 15 mins away from Oulton Park and theres a very healthy group of people who shoot there every weekend, PM me if you ever fancy a trip.

[kit80]

oh sorry missed other post..while I was drafting other one, I did take others with the bottom of pump in and was aware of chopping it out, but wanted it closer, but then I guess a crop would have done that. in my defense, the owner of property was looking at me and I spent all of 2 mins taking shots very quickly while pretending to read a map..lol




ooh magazines, never thought of them!! Thanks..lol. And yeah have been contacting a few locals I know that are into it, (mates aren't interested and I am annoying them with it at present) but yeah Oulten park would be fantastic idea! Thanks.

haha you did confuse me with composure..lol

[Goldeeno]

Sorry, want an interesting photo, how about a petrol pump with a no parking sign next to it?!

[kit80]

Goldeeno said:

Sorry, want an interesting photo, how about a petrol pump with a no parking sign next to it?!

I know, wanted to take it off, can you photoshop stuff like that out?

[kit80]

kit80 said:

Goldeeno said:

Sorry, want an interesting photo, how about a petrol pump with a no parking sign next to it?!

I know, wanted to take it off, can you photoshop stuff like that out?

oh hang on I misread that, you mean leave it in, for an irony type shot?

[Goldeeno]

Yeah lol. yes easy to take it out, although i preffer to try and make the most of whats there, when you sit infront of a pc all day at work, last thing i want to do is photoshop stuff out all night.

[kit80]

Goldeeno said:

Yeah lol. yes easy to take it out, although i preffer to try and make the most of whats there, when you sit infront of a pc all day at work, last thing i want to do is photoshop stuff out all night.

I do agree, but I need to learn this stuff to, had annoying bit of litter in one place on a quite cool shot I took that I hadn't spotted