I joined the project yesterday. I've had a Nikon D3100 3 years ago and for the last 2 years, my baby has taken up most of my time and I've gotten into the habit of using my iPhone to capture him. I'd really like to master the camera as I feel like a novice with it; I'm going to New York in 6 weeks and want to take decent pictures that are not on the auto mode!
Can anyone recommend a quick learning guide for the camera?
I'd also like to have a decent editing programme. I have a MacBook pro and I'm just using their photo library at the moment.
Any advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!
practice, practice, practice. read thru forums, there are a lot of topics on this, follow others on here, have fun, keep your camera with you so you don't miss a chance at a shot
You can pop over to @camerasavvy they are doing some challenges (for want of a better expression) showing different camera settings and explaining how to use them.
Suggest you get familiar again with the camera, have a look at the hand book and revisit what all the buttons, settings do. Depends which way you learn if you like books, loads about that will help you with the basics of photography, if you like the web just search U Tube. Most important try and get of Automatic and take control of the camera. Re Photo Library of you are shooting in JPEG this will do. When you shoot in RAW then you will possibly need an editing programme. I have a MacBook Pro and use aperture, which is going to stop being supported. According to my friendly Mac salesperson Photo will relaunched shortly with aperture incorporated into it. Not sure how true this is but perhaps worth waiting and just getting to grips with the camera. Oh and welcome.
Hi - I joined mid January with the intent that this project will force me to look for photos where I would not have previously looked and it's working. Your new camera will open up a world of possibilities and you will be surprised at what you can achieve once you understand the basics. With a young baby there will be loads of opportunity and learning the basics of aperture settings, ISO and depth of field will be a great bonus as the baby grows up. The manual is good but while it explains what all the buttons do it will not necessarily give you and understanding of what combination is most appropriate for each shot - for example what shutter speed or aperture you should use to get the desired effect. A simple to use guide to basic photo techniques will be a good start but all the information is on the web. I bought a specific book about my specific camera which was a great way to familiarise myself with the controls going beyond the manual. But since then I have used the web / YouTube and discussion forums on sites like this. I hope you have abs much fun as I qam having. Editing software is a real benefit and if you start with Apples Aperture this will be a good grounding for more advanced software such as Lightroom and Photoshop. You will see the similarities. I have all three editing facilities plus DXO but have found aperture to be as good in most general situations If you don't mind may I follow you to see
Blow you get on?
I heartily recommend the "From Snapshots to Great Shots" series of books. Here is a link from amazon.com for the D3100. It is easy to read, has great photo examples, lots of basic, sound advice specific to your camera, projects at the end of each chapter and a web site to compare your results with others and to discuss issues involved. I would recommend the hard copy rather than the Kindle edition if you want to see the many example photos to best advantage.
@lynn242 Hi Lynn, welcome! Like you I have a Nikon 3100, and previous to starting the 365 project I used "auto" for everything. Don't get overwhelmed with too much at once. Perhaps I cheated but I advanced from "auto" to using the various programmed settings already available - there is nothing wrong with starting there. For example if you are taking up close photos like flowers, use the setting that has a picture of a flower, and likewise, if taking a landscape picture then use the setting with the mountain scene. The thing to start being aware of is the settings that the camera automatically chooses - paying attention to those will help you understand how to use manual later. When you post a picture, over to the right is a bunch of information and if you click on "exif" it will tell you your shutter speed, ISO and "f" #. You can also check that information on other people's pictures that you like. Then you can graduate to using totally manual mode and you will build up your understanding and confidence. Have fun! :)
Hi @lynn242 , I have a D3100 and mostly know it inside and out, but to start off to get out of full auto switch to 'A' (aperture priority) . The jog wheel on the back will change the aperture (size of the hole) only, and the rest of the camera control is mostly automatic. The bigger the aperture (f4.5) the softer, blur and boheh with a shallow depth of field (how much is in focus) and the smaller the aperture (f11) the more is sharper and in focus with a great depth of field. Just give it a go and take lots of photos to see how it works.
I also have a d3100, I will keep mine brief, I think you have already got some brilliant pointers here. For any information on camera settings or even editing go to YouTube. It has all of the information you will ever need.
And Welcome to 365 :)
Hi Lynn, I have a Nikon D5000. As for editing...shoot in raw and use the nikon software that comes with the camera. Then I use Picmonkey if I want to try some effects, etc I have photoshop too, but it's so "Un-user friendly" that i find I do not use it much! Good luck and welcome!
@lynn242@richardcreese
Hi Lynn, Looks like you're getting plenty of responses ! I was just going to advise along the lines of what Richard has said. I.e dip your toe in with the 'A' mode.
Like others, I'm going to follow and see how you get on ..
My best advice is that you use that camera...at every opportunity. Like others I recommend the A mode for getting to know how your camera works, but don't forget that using Aperture priority also means making choices about how much Depth of Field you want to use.
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply to my message, I really appreciate it. There are some great tips and advice for me to try out and I'll dig out the manual so that I can understand what the buttons actually do! I have a poorly toddler but will look at everyone's albums when I get a moment as I'd like to see your work. I welcome anyone to follow me and welcome any criticism. Well, within reason...😄 Thanks again.
Lynn I bought my first camera one day and joined this site the next. I knew absolutely nothing when I started. 365 has taught me so much and supported me all the way. Just stick with it and, as you can see from the response to your message, you will learn so much and make some wonderful and supportive friends along the way.
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Blow you get on?
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3100-Snapshots-Great-Shots/dp/0321754549/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425313759&sr=8-1&keywords=From+Snapshots+D3100
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nikon+3100d+tutorial
And Welcome to 365 :)
Hi Lynn, Looks like you're getting plenty of responses ! I was just going to advise along the lines of what Richard has said. I.e dip your toe in with the 'A' mode.
Like others, I'm going to follow and see how you get on ..