Newbie Here

ajredaelli

New member
Hi All - I hope this forum will help me with my many questions. At the young age of 55, I've decided to learn how to use a DSLR. I decided top use an older used camera, Nikon D3000, to learn how to use the basics, before spending more into a newer camera. I am totally confused about the use of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, as it relates to indoor/outdoor pictures, as well as finding the correct balance to keep my subject on focus with a blurry background versus all on focus. Although I do understand the basics - I think - it is tough to find the settings that work for each situation. I'm trying to find a method for taking pictures while remember the settings I'm using. I've watched videos, and I have bought a training video. I also bought Luminar 2018 - they gave me good deal since I am a teacher. All help will be appreciated!

Thanks,

Aldo
 
First off welcome to the forum. Now for the hard part.

DON'T TRY TO LEARN EVERYTHING AT THE SAME TIME.

Pick one task and learn it thoroughly first. Once you are comfortable pick a new task and learn it. Trying to learn everything all at once is just confusing.

You say you are a teacher. My wife is a retired school teacher (English) As a teacher you certainly do not give your students the entire book to learn the first day of class. I have been in photography for close to 40 years now and I still am learning It takes time. Just slow down and enjoy just the act of taking photos. Try the program mode for a while to see what the camera picks as settings.
 

ajredaelli

New member
Good idea. I guess I was over anxious and too excited. You are right - maybe I will start working on some close ups. The idea of the Auto is a good one. Thanks for the awesome suggestions.
 

ajredaelli

New member
Right - that’s what I meant. Learning terminology! Actually I tried the Program mode yesterday. For some reason, sometimes when I would zoom in or when I would use portrait (vertical shot) or sometimes a horizontal shot the camera would not shoot. I could hear it trying to focus but it wouldn’t let me take the shot. Is that normal or do you think that’s a problem with the camera? I tried to research that but I couldn’t find a good answer. This happened under very sunny Florida conditions. Thank you Don.
 
There are several focus modes so you need to know which one you are on. The D3000 is older tech so i can not tell you right off hand what to check. You are just down the rode from me so you can just run up here for the day and I can walk you through all of it. I live in Prattville, AL. Just slightly north of Montgomery
 

ajredaelli

New member
Awesome and I appreciate the offer. I may take you up on that offer. Trust me, I am very aware that it is an older camera. I just didn’t want to spend $600 or so on something more expensive without knowing how to use it I’m hoping to do so eventually. Trying to take baby steps! Thanks again Don. Would love to see your pictures sometime.
 
Awesome and I appreciate the offer. I may take you up on that offer. Trust me, I am very aware that it is an older camera. I just didn’t want to spend $600 or so on something more expensive without knowing how to use it I’m hoping to do so eventually. Trying to take baby steps! Thanks again Don. Would love to see your pictures sometime.

You can see some here and if you are on Facebook you can see more of them. The link is to the left.


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Danno

Senior Member
Welcome, I started at 58 when I was disabled with some health issues. I started with a D3200. It takes time, but that is half the fun. Good people here that will help.
 

Chucktin

Senior Member
To answer your question - your camera's autofocus may be set to _not_ allow the scene to be recorded if it does not achieve a focus lock. If that's what's happening it's buried in your menu system.
Overall I say
1 - take lots of pictures, good exposures, bad whatever. This is to get to where you can pickup the Nikon and shoot without having to reason out every little thing.
2 review the images and try to understand why you are not happy with the results.
3 exposure - used to be film had a measurable sensitivity rating, ASA (if you go back far enough, I do) or ISO. Now we are not working with film but photons and electronics. Digital Cameras have a "base" (weasel word) sensitivity and everything else is an Amplification on that. And, if you amplify an electronic signal you produce "noise", a generally undesireable product.
4 A "good" exposure is what _you_ say it is.
5 Histograms are your friend, learn them, love them, be them.
Happy snapping.

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Dawg Pics

Senior Member
I was going to say same thing. Focus and exposure. Also, some cameras have a setting that won't let you shoot if there is no card in the slot. Usually, when my camera won't fire, it is because my exposure is too low.

Welcome to Nikonites.

I you want to "focus" (ha ha) your shooting, you could use a 52 project list and pick a subject or technique each week just to give you a goal. Or you can look at the threads on here for inspiration. Sometimes you see something cool, and it will be a new technique to try.

It is important to learn the basics of exposure, but if you don't shoot, you won't ever get to where you want to be. I finally figured that out. I was busy reading and not shooting. I improved when I started shooting and posting images. I got lots of feedback and still do.

Start an image thread, you will be surprised at how much you will improve with some suggestions from the group. Good luck.
 
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