Maldives - First attempt at using D5200

L.M.Carter

Senior Member
Hey guys!
So My D5200 was a gift for my wedding from my husband and we went to the Maldives. Of course I took my camera and practiced practiced practiced like you couldn't believe. Getting annoyed with myself because I couldn't understand (And still now, a lot of things I do not understand) why things were going so wrong.
I however, do think I got some 'okay' photos for a beginner with only the standard D5200 camera.
Thousands of photographs were taken. And about 900 deleted! haha! I just changed lots of settings, took the photo, changed settings over and over untill something of... okay quality maybe came up?
I am very open to any type of comments, I will look in to what is commented and try my best! Let me know what you think. Here are 3 from my honeymoon.

1.
Clink cheers.jpg

2. Here, I thought maybe a polarized lens cover would of caught the colour better?
Flying bird.jpg

3. Same here, maybe a polarized lens cover for the sun beams?
Sun beams.jpg

Thanks guys. Please don't forget these are my first few photos.
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
You got the D5200 for your wedding so, these are first attempts right? Polarisers are handy for direct sun shots, and not washing out the frame. The first shot is particularly good, it has thought behind it. Not bad for 'only' having a D5200. Just a note, if you're seeking critique or where you may have gone wrong, add the exif data
 
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L.M.Carter

Senior Member
Okay, so this is new to me. Just doing some research and I understand. Bare with me, (I do not have the original photos so not sure it will work) (I lost the memory card) :( VERY upset as you can imagine.
I will see if I can get that info and edit the first post :)

EDIT: Yeah unfortunately I can't get any details with it not being the original saved from the memory card.
But I will take this note on board for future photos. Thank-you! :)
 
Last edited:
Okay, so this is new to me. Just doing some research and I understand. Bare with me, (I do not have the original photos so not sure it will work) (I lost the memory card) :( VERY upset as you can imagine.
I will see if I can get that info and edit the first post :)

No problem, just to help you out for the next time.

Just one photo lets us help you more with that one instead of trying to discuss several all at once.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Thousands of photographs were taken. And about 900 deleted! haha! I just changed lots of settings, took the photo, changed settings over and over untill something of... okay quality maybe came up?


I think you're doing great. The above statement was a thrill, it clearly shows the right attitude, and the best practice for learning anything. :)

I only wanted to comment on the vignetting. No exif, but it seems out of place in this type of picture (into the sun, etc). I'm wondering if it could be the lens hood? The effect here has sort of sharp edges... Possibly a tulip petal hood (irregular shape) that was not fully rotated into proper place? If such a hood is being used, it should be fully rotated so the biggest petals are exactly top and bottom.. they sort of click into place. And next time this happens, you might try removing the hood once to check result without it.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Welcome to Nikonites.

I really like your first picture. But... One thing you must remember about having a lake or liquids in a picture. Liquids should always be leveled. This is something beginners often forget to correct but to me it should always be the first thing to correct in post processing or when the picture is taken. It's so easy to just look through a DSLR and forget about leveling the camera so the ocean does not leak to one side of the picture.

Otherwise, great exposure and composition.

Enjoy your Nikon!
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
Great shots - especially that first one.

The best part of your post - by far - is the fact that you state you experimented, changed settings, shot, changed again and deleted 900 photos.

You are doing everything right at this point!

PS big welcome to Nikonites
 

Crash_of_43

Senior Member
IF.......your a newby with a new camera......i might have missed it by some other that commented BUT its never a good idea to shoot a picture with the sun in it like the one with the bird and water.......the sun will damage the area in the camera that records the picture and it will show up in lighter round spot in your colored pictures for ever....its like taking a magnifying glass and adjusting it so it will burn you......its the same with a camera.......that HOT SPOT will Fry the image plate on a camera.....I used to do that too.......Then i destroyed that area on a wonderful old Digital camera.........a few words to you so you wont damage a wonderful NIKON or any other Brand !
 
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