I am REALY looking for advice and tips.

I am REALLY looking for advice and tips.

This example is straight out of the camera, with the exception of being re-sized to fit in the post.

My camera is a D3100 and the lens is a 35mm 1:18G Nikon.

The area I was in is very shaded and I figured the 35 would be good for the lower light. The shot was taken with the following settings:

Quality: Fine
WB: Sun light (though flash did operate on some)
ISO: 100
AF-SCenter Area AF
Active D-Lighting: On

Those are the settings as found on the screen. I chose ISO100 because I thought the colors would be brighter. The rest of the settings were chosen because of assumed logic.

I'd like to know what I could have done for more vibrant pictures. Additional detail would have also been great. So, any tips would be appreciated. I took a couple hundred photos, and this just chosen at random to be representative.

Thanks.

View attachment 11660

Ted, take some time to read this. A Moderator will be along shortly...

I think any one of these could be better with a little post processing. Try View NX2 that came with your camera. Easy to use to get the results you want.

Since you're posting a "random" shot in the in critique section I don't think you really are looking for a critique as opposed to general advice on settings. Along those lines:

If you're going to continue to shoot in jpeg, you can increase the vibrance in the picture control modes. I would alternatively suggest you shoot in raw and adjust in post processing, most prefer that method and the results. That is not a good scene for Active D lighting and will contribute to the washed out look you are getting. Leave active D off unless you are shooting a mostly backlit subject.

cnyram said:

Since you're posting a "random" shot in the in critique section I don't think you really are looking for a critique as opposed to general advice on settings. Along those lines:

If you're going to continue to shoot in jpeg, you can increase the vibrance in the picture control modes. I would alternatively suggest you shoot in raw and adjust in post processing, most prefer that method and the results. That is not a good scene for Active D lighting and will contribute to the washed out look you are getting. Leave active D off unless you are shooting a mostly backlit subject.

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MOD: If I'm in the wrong forum, please move or delete.

Cynyram, you are absolutely correct and your reply is exactly what I'm looking for. I am finally moving from "auto" to actual photography, so I'm a beginner. Thanks.

I usually shoot in Aperature priority, raw, with active D off, ISO usually 200-400. Once your comfortable with that you'll find your results are better with all the auto options off. Raw requires more work with PP, but you'll find the results are much better than the picture modes can produce. Lightroom really helped me get better results than the software that came with the D3100.

TedG954 said:

Cynyram, you are absolutely correct and your reply is exactly what I'm looking for. I am finally moving from "auto" to actual photography, so I'm a beginner. Thanks.

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Better to be at the beginning than the end

Just a thought have you tried this same spot when the sun is lower in the sky? You may get rays etc coming through the branches and trees. Softer light could possibly help I think.

muzza22au said:

Just a thought have you tried this same spot when the sun is lower in the sky? You may get rays etc coming through the branches and trees. Softer light could possibly help I think.

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Actually, it's pretty remote and very steep going up, and down. If I waited for the sun to go down, I might end up having to spend the night with critters.