I've got the tools -- now where do I start?

Hi, all.

I need your help.

This is what I've got:

Nikon D80
18-55mm VR
50mm 1.8
55-200mm VR
70-300mm VR
SB-600
Manfrotto 3021 tripod w. 488RC head

The setup has been sitting in my office for about a year because I don't know how to use it. It only comes out on special occasions when I absolutely cannot avoid taking photos.

I'm totally lost on where to start in the learning process. I've tried to read a couple of the books listed in the forums, but I just can't seem to grasp them. I'd really like to get into photography -- I see so many beautiful things every day. I just wish I could get my camera to see things as clearly as I see them.

I'm mostly shooting in Manual setting the ISO to compensate, and as such the photo come out blah unless I'm in great natural light.

A couple of my better recent photos:





Where do I start? Apparently, buying new lenses is not what I need to do! I thought that was the key to great photos. I have many, many books. I bought Thom Hogan's D80 ebook. I'm considering a BetterPhoto class. I've picked up a couple BetterPhoto DVDs. I feel like I'm drowning in information, but I just don't know where to start.

Help!

What a shame to have all that equipment just gathering dust.

Everyone has their own learning style and I'm going to guess that since you say you have read a lot of stuff in books and online but still don't really "get" it, that learning from an instructor might suit you better, where you can ask questions as you go along.

Perhaps you have a community college near you that offers beginner courses? I would look for a longer, more in-depth course that spans several sessions--not the 1 or 2 session types. If that doesn't appeal to you, then look for a local photography club near you. Many clubs offer beginner classes and you will have the benefit of the combined experience of your fellow members.

Joining a camera club might seem intimidating at first, but everyone has to start somewhere. No one was born with a camera in their hands.

HTH,
Marion

d80mama said:

.... Where do I start? Apparently, buying new lenses is not what I need to do! I thought that was the key to great photos. I have many, many books. I bought Thom Hogan's D80 ebook. I'm considering a BetterPhoto class. I've picked up a couple BetterPhoto DVDs. I feel like I'm drowning in information, but I just don't know where to start.

Help!

Click to expand...

What did you have in mind when you bought this equipment? You must have something that you wanted to accomplish. Every piece of equipment you list has a learning curve attached. Every piece of equipment will have you thinking a certain way about pictures you want to take.

The only way to start is to put one of the lenses on your Nikon, take it with you in the morning and shoot 100 or so pictures. Use it until you understand that lens. Put another lens on and start over. Think about what you've done and what you need to know -- focus, exposure, composition,... and then ask here or find a book, BUT go out and use the equipment.

Reminds me of folks who go and buy a big expensive motorcycle as their first bike, and then can't handle it. Good riders know that it's best to start off with a "beginner bike." Swallow your pride, start small, and you'll be better off in the long run.

So frankly my best advice (and please don't think me cruel) is to leave all of your SLR equipment alone for a while longer, pick up a good point-and-shoot camera and learn to take satisfying photos with it. Learning on a lighter camera, with simpler options and no worries about which lens to use is going to be much easier than starting from scratch with pro-level equipment.

For one thing, you need to get past your reluctance to take bad (or less than perfect) pictures. This is the digital age; now that you've bought your equipment, the shooting is essentially free. Please don't let the camera and lenses sit there waiting until you've figured out how to take excellent shots. It's not gonna happen that way.

Keep the camera with you. When you see one of those beautiful photos waiting to happen, take the picture. If it disappoints you, analyze why. If the exposure is off, try another exposure. And another. Or maybe it's the composition. Try a different angle. Just as you shouldn't be afraid to shoot, you shouldn't hesitate to delete. There is no shame in deleting!

--
Susan
1 old farmhouse, 2 dogs, 5 cats, 3 computers

d80mama said:

Hi, all.

I need your help.

This is what I've got:

Nikon D80
18-55mm VR
50mm 1.8
55-200mm VR
70-300mm VR
SB-600
Manfrotto 3021 tripod w. 488RC head

The setup has been sitting in my office for about a year because I don't know how to use it. It only comes out on special occasions when I absolutely cannot avoid taking photos.

I'm totally lost on where to start in the learning process. I've tried to read a couple of the books listed in the forums, but I just can't seem to grasp them. I'd really like to get into photography -- I see so many beautiful things every day. I just wish I could get my camera to see things as clearly as I see them.

I'm mostly shooting in Manual setting the ISO to compensate, and as such the photo come out blah unless I'm in great natural light.

Click to expand...

The previous poster gave you some good advice and I will. in no way, dispute any of that. However, I will add to it. What I write here will be my own opinions based upon my experiences both as a student and now as a teacher.

The first thing - you seem to have purchased too much equipment and the sheer nymber of lenses can be very intimidating and confusing. First off, take ALL those expensive ZOOM lenses and put them back up on the shelf and do not touch them again until you have developed some ability to use the camera and ONE lens. Use the 50mm f/1.8 and nothing else. What do you think photographers of an earlier time did? Cameras like the Leica came with one lens, 50mm. Great photographers like Henri Cartier Bresson hardly ever used anything else. Zoom lenses are a great convenience, but they add a greater burden of choices to the photographer. In the beginning, "Keep it Simple." The simpler the better.

I am basically teacher of fine art, painting in oils, acrylic and water color, but I laso teach a course in "Basic Optics and the Fundamentals of Photography. We start by studying the camera and how it mimics the human eye. We learn about light and how it travels, why there are different colors, how light is refracted and diffracted. How a lens forms an image. We learn about simple lenses and about lens defects (Aberrations). From there, we begin to look at how an image is formed on a surface, film or electronic sensor. We look at the need to control the light forming the image, iris diaphragm (aperture), and how F numbers are calculated. We learn about shutters and shutter time. We discuss the relationships among the four factors which form the basis of photography - Light Level, Sensitivity (ISO), Aperture, and Shutter Time.

We become somewhat more sophisticated when we discuss focusing, the need for holding the camera steady, Handling different lighting situations, choosing a point of view, and so one. The course is not camera specific and we barely mention digital. Bear in mind that the fundamentals do not chsnge whether one is using a film camera or a digital one.

If I tried to post the whole course outline I am afraid we would ren out of space and the dpr people would run me off the reservation. And you would still be faced with finding sources for information. If you have a public library available start there. Even books from the days of film are still useful if they have true basic information.

Just skip the parts about developing and printing. If there is a community college that presents a truly basic course, consider taking it. Unfortunately too many such courses are taught by instructors grounded in digital matters and they tend to skip the real basics. And do not even think about such advanced things as Photoshop. That will only mislead you. Is there a retired pro photographer in your area who might like to help a newcomer? Ask around. Camera clubs are not as numerous as they once were, but some still exist. Ask at you local camera shop. I am told that camera shops used to be great places to meet and swap ideas and information, so if you have a good local camera shop check it out.

Above all keep things SIMPLE. Leave all those expensive lenses alone until you have mastered the basics. You have some fine equipment. Once you understand the basics you will be better able to understande and use what you have.

By the way, the photos you posted are really OK for a beginner. Good Luck.

--
Judy

As said elsewhere stick to the one lens for a while. Coming to these forums is a good start, but it would help to understand where you struggle. You say you stick in manual and adjust by using ISO. Do you know about shutter speed and aperture? Have a quick look at http://www.shortcourses.com/use/index.html concentrating on shutter and aperture to start with and come back with any questions. Leave your ISO alone at 400 for a while until you have a confident understanding of shutter/aperture.

Let us know how you get on.

My advice would be:
Start out simple - but do start. You won't improve by using dusty equipment.

One way to do that is to reserve some time for yourself and photography. Don't rush. The difference between my "rushed" and quality-time photos is so big it isn't funny.

Then go out and buy yourself some flowers. We need an inanimate object as our subject so we have all the time in the world to start figuring things out. Children in particular are not very good subjects to learn on. - There's much too much going on to realise what your doing.

Now put your camera in full automatic (yes, I know - I'll probably get slaughtered for this advice, but there's a point to make.) and place the flowers near a window light.

Start shooting. The whole bouquet, one single flower, from above, from the side etc. After a 10-20 shots, upload the photos to the computer and evaluate them. Suddenly you'll notice the messy background. You'll probably like some photos more than others. Try to explain to yourself why.

Now clean up the background, and do another session. Do you like the 2nd shoot better than the first? Congratulations! You've already improved.

Keep at this for a few days, then get a fresh set of flowers, but make it a completely different from the first one. See if you can make these as good as the wilted ones.
We've established a baseline for your flower photography now.

From this point on, pick up your most basic book on photography, put the camera on manual mode, and try out everything discussed on your flowers. See the effect as you change the aperture or the shutterspeed. Make mistakes. Delete all your underexposed, blurry or plain bad photographs. - Hey, it's only some flowers you're shooting - not your son's seventh birthday party!

Then sign up for classes. A (good) teacher can give you so much more direction than a book or a forum can! ;-)

Most of all: enjoy the experience.

Regards,
Alvatrus

Regards,
Alvatrus

You've got the right tools, now learn to use them.

Now I do wonder. You state

AnthonyL said:

It only comes out on special occasions when I absolutely cannot avoid taking photos.

Click to expand...

So I hope you somehow do like to take photos. If not ... well there are other hobbies.

You made a good start by reading, watching DVDs and stuff, but as you state they don't help you.

AnthonyL said:

I feel like I'm drowning in information, but I just don't know where to start.

Click to expand...

As others have said: each has his/her own method of learning. Some start by doing, and learn what they did later...

The question is what you want to learn first. It is suggested to buy a P&S first. I think that's too big a step back, but to use this camera as if it were a P&S is a good start. Basically that way you practice looking and seeing (most important part of the hobby IMHO), aiming, framing, walking, focussing and pressing the button at the right moment. That really is a good place to start.

For that I'd second what Judy and Anthony said: for start use only one lens . Judy mentions the prime, I would say the standard kit zoom, but any of these two will do.

If -at some point in the future- you tend to think 'I just wished my lens had a bit more ...' then you can think about getting that second lens of the shelf (and perhaps putting the first 'one lens' back, ... or not).

Also, don't fiddle with all them buttons. Set the camera to 'Auto' or 'P' and don't bother with the A, T yet (let alone that M).

For ISO, keep that simple too. 100 for sunny outside, 400 for not that sunny and indoors. Use the flash indoors.

Shoot shoot shoot.

Come back and look at the photos at home. It's not strange to thow away most of the photos, what the heck, they're free.

Find out what kind of photos you want to take. See what goes allright, and what not. Then talk (like on this forum).

Come back with a thousand questions, we don't mind! (But perhaps keep it to one or a few at the time.)

To answer a few questions you did not ask, responding to your photos.

1. This is a nice photo. Framing is okay, so is exposure. To shoot with available light is not really easy, but you've done okay. But I do think the WhiteBalance (WB) is off.

WhiteBalance talks about the color of the light. This can be very yellowish as ambient light indoors or very blueish like on a sunny day in the shade (when the subject is lighted only by the light of the blue sky). The camera can compensate for this and often will do with 'auto white balance', but ambient light is hard, even for the camera. Fortunately this can -to some extend- be adjusted quite easily on your computer. (well, easy? fiddling is easy, getting perfect results is not). I did that with your first photo with this result:



2. You caught the right moment, great framing, perfect expression. Too bad it is not as sharp as we would like. I think this is a question of focussing (as the floor boards are sharp while the kid is not). Personally I do this for focussing:

• set the focus point to just one focussing point, the middle one (so I choose where to focus on in stead of letting the camera choose) ')
• get ready and aim, aim the focus point at the subject (when indoor perhaps expessly aiming at a contrasly part of it) and hold the shutterbutton half pressed
• wait for that perfect moment and press that button fully.

That photo class (or perhaps any photo class) might be good too. It's a place to meet other enthousiasts. Talk with them.

So start simple, look at your photos. Talk and ask (us for example). Shoot more [REPEAT]

') o dear o dear, just told you to use it as a P&S and now I'm telling to mess with the settings, shame on me.

EDIT:
I see Alvatrus was typing a reply at the same time. His advice is excellent!

I would, however, still not mess with that M , you can do aperture or shuttertime adjustments perfectly with the A and T .
--
All in my humble opionion of course!

If I seem to talk nonsense or you can't understand me, it's probably my English

... If you don't make the time OR have a camera with you when opportunities arise to capture something beautiful, it's hard to learn.

I reiterate my advice about a point and shoot camera (P&S) - get one that you can throw in a purse, bag or pocket so it's always with you. Many P&S cameras have the P, A, S (or T) and M settings so you can practice what the D80 can do but much more conveniently.

Best photography advice I ever got was "keep shooting!" Carrying my P&S everywhere allowed me to do that.

Since the OP already has all this equipment, rather than go out and spend even more money, I would suggest putting the 50mm f1.8 lens on the camera and then use that exclusively for a while.

Get to know the camera, the lens and how to use them together. Take lots of pictures, experiment. It will cost you nothing, other than a little time. Read and experiment more. Experience is the great educator.

Only when you have become more proficient with the 50mm f1.8, would I look at the other lenses. Trying to do too much at one time will confuse rather than educate, and I think maybe that is part of the problem.

And certainly a beginners photography class at a local community college would not hurt.

--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'

• Rayna Butler

d80mama said:

Nikon D80
18-55mm VR
50mm 1.8

Click to expand...

d80mama said:

Where do I start? Apparently, buying new lenses is not what I need to do! I thought that was the key to great photos. I have many, many books. I bought Thom Hogan's D80 ebook. I'm considering a BetterPhoto class. I've picked up a couple BetterPhoto DVDs. I feel like I'm drowning in information, but I just don't know where to start.

Help!

Click to expand...

Getting more lenses means you can get some shots that normally you can't get. It does not mean any of your shots are satisfying enough to you.

Use the camera with the 18-55 first, leave all the other lenses. Start by shooting easy shots - like those kids in bright light, not indoors, sceneries and all that. If you get some shots that work in such easy conditions, you will gain confidence.

If your efforts in the best light are not satisfying well, then pick a couple and ask for constructive comments.

Of course if you have an experienced shooter near you - a friend or a tutor, that helps accelerate the learning curve. Try a friend, a club, adult classes....

--



Ananda
http://anandasim.mp

You are not going to improve by looking at the gear sitting in your office. You don't learn by osmosis. You have to get the camera in your hand and take some photos. A DSLR has a big learning curve, but you shoot and shoot and shoot till you get it right.

Start with Aperture Priority Mode and get the hang of it. Then try Shutter Priority Mode. Just pay attention to the settings and your surroundings. Learn to notice what settings change when your surroundings change. Eventually, you will learn what to do.

While it is good to get out and start shooting with a simple lens and camera, you need to know what you are using,how and why. Here are a couple of online photo schools that you can take some simple courses at your leisure, choose the ones that you need and use your gear at the same time.There are tests and projects that are part of it.

http://www.schoolofphotography.com/courses/index.php

http://www.betterphoto.com/online-photography-courses-2.asp

--
It's What You Learn After You Know It All That Counts !

First off, ... ALL the other comments are excellent!

You have a nice setup (I would say it's 99% the same as mine

... to get over some of the intimidation factor, I would suggest Googling "Ken Rockwell D80"

He did an excellent write up on his opinion for setting up a D80. It takes some of the mystery out of it.

After that, I suggest 2 things. Do the flowers setup so you can better understand how light, contrast, colors etc are affected by the setting on the camera. Second thing, slap on the 18-55 and go out and play!!!

I got an advanced compact for my girlfriend and that's what we did. A couple sessions with a "set subject" as well as a couple "photo expeditions" ... one to the garden, a couple in the woods and another downtown. The nice thing about digitals is that the exposure, settings etc are all somewhere in the file's info, so you don't have to take as many notes while experimenting with the darn thing!

On one forest walk, we must have taken 800 - 1100 photos! We deleted 99% of them.



I like this image snapped quickly last fall, ... Everything is wrong in the setup, ... but then again, ... I don't truly care!

A course at the community college is an option, but that depends on you. IMHO, ... you'll go a long way with your gear, ... just get out and play .. Hey, ... it could be a real nice excuse to get outside and play with the Kids!

--
Chris Chin

This is all the places I went for help or learning when I got my camera (and am still going back to and finding new ones)

http://lensaddiction.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/where-to-get-help-with-your-new-camera/

And check out the links section, there are LOTS of useful websites I have collected there with info I found good for a beginner (ie me )

This is what I did:

My husband had a Nikon dslr but it was too much for me in the beginning so I bought a Canon a570 which had manual controls. I think you can still get an a590 for around around $150. I recommend you start with a p&s, preferably one with manual controls. Learn the features, composition, post processing and then move up to the dslr.

If you can't learn thru books on your own - take a class either adult ed (probably just a few classes) or at a community college (semester long). You also ought to look for a camera club.

Thom Hogan's ebook is excellent but it is more of a reference manual and imo is geared more toward an experienced photographer, definitely not beginner material.

Good luck.

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to thank you for your excellent advice. The flowers were a wonderful experience. I must have gone through 3-4 batches. Once I was able to grasp the concepts, I took a couple photo safaris - one at a local nature center, one in the woods at camp, and one at a church. Then I picked up two books that were recommended in another thread: The Betterphoto Guide to Digital Photography and Digital Photography Masterclass. I'm working through them now. I was able to find a promising class at the local community college. I'm still a beginner, but now I'm a beginner with a little know-how. Thanks again!

Again, I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to thank you all for the great advice. I've always loved looking at photos. I feel like I can touch/smell/taste the memory when I see a particular photo. Taking photos myself just seems like the next obvious step.

I want to clarify that I did start out with a point and shoot - Nikon Coolpix 4300. I used it to learn the basics of composition and framing mostly. It also helped to develop my love of photos and my interest in photography. When it broke, I figured I'd move up a little because I wanted more options. Particularly, I was hoping to be able to have more precise focus. All of my photos with the P&S were coming out blurry. So the advice to start with the P&S is sound. I should have clarified that I had used the P&S for about 2 years before I picked up the D80. Also, I shot with the 50mm for about a year before I added more lenses. My mistake was that I should have stuck with the 50 mm for even longer, I think. My photos were pretty good, but were starting to all look the same.

I've probably taken 5000 photos in the last 5 months. While 95% of them turned out to be duds, I did get a couple great ones. I am by no means beyond the beginner level, but I am certainly pointed in the right direction. Thanks for that!!

d80mama said:

d80mama wrote:

Particularly, I was hoping to be able to have more precise focus. All of my photos > with the P&S were coming out blurry.

Click to expand...

Your blurry photos were probably due to slow shutter speed and not a focus problem.

5% of your photos being keepers isn't too bad.