Nikon D3100 First time using/Need help with settings

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karoski

New member
I have just purchased a Nikon D3100 and the first time I have ever used it. I need some help with the settings. I don't know the first thing about this. I am starting a business selling wigs and need to take large amounts of photos on a mannequin. I dont want them to be close ups they will just be from the shoulders up. Taking different angles of the wig, front, back and sides.
I have also purchased the lights so I am ready to go.
I have 2 lenses that came with the camera :
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1.4-5.6G ED
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1.3.5-5.6G VR
I don't have time to go to photography classes I just need some basic help as to what settings , ISO etc.
Thankyou
 
S

ShootRaw

Senior Member
If you are in an emergency..Then select auto mode..The green icon on the dial selector..If flash keeps poping up when you do not want..Then turn dial from green icon down one with the white no flash symbol..Read your manual asap...
 
K

karoski

New member
I just updated my profile to show the 2 lenses that came with the camera. Is there anything else I need to add on. These are the lights I purchased from ebay. I'm not using the tent I just have 4 of these lights.
Portable Photo Studio Table TOP Photography Lighting KIT With 80cm BOX Tent Cube | eBay
I dont know if I just use Auto or a friend advised Aperture?? and ISO which I don't know about these. I tried looking through the manual but I don't understand it.
Just basic settings to get me started.
 
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
Wow... you're asking for a basic digital photography class in a paragraph or two...

I'd recommend going with about 50mm on the short lens, similar to a standard portrait lens like the nifty fifty. The rest is gonna be kind of trial and error my friend, until you learn how to meter to the middle, etc. Rather than start a "training" session here, I'd say mess with different modes, shoot a few, see what ya like and go from there. Perhaps take some classes on the "Tube YOU-niversity".

You can always shoot in AUTO mode, see what settings the camera chose, then work from there.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
If you don't have the time to learn basic photography, then you'll have to take the time to learn by trial and error and you'll never know which one is faster.

​Would you buy a car before you know how to drive?
 
N

nickt

Senior Member
One hour crash course....

Read this:
Exposure | Understanding Exposure - ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed Explained

Watch this:
Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, & Light Explained-Understanding Exposure & Camera Settings - YouTube

Then read through your manual again, it will make more sense once you understand exposure.

Basically you want a shutter speed fast enough so that you don't get any camera shake. If you have plenty of light, that won't be a problem. Then you want a high enough f stop for good depth of field. Again, good light will get you there. P mode may work for you especially with plenty of light. There are different ways to get to the same result, so asking for settings might end up being confusing. One might shoot this in P mode, another in shutter priority, and someone else may go for aperture priority. All come to the same end, but you have to understand exposure so you can make these settings work for your situation.
 
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C

carguy

Senior Member
Marcel said:
If you don't have the time to learn basic photography, then you'll have to take the time to learn by trial and error and you'll never know which one is faster.

​Would you buy a car before you know how to drive?
Click to expand...

Well, you do need a camera to learn :)
 
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