Just got a Camera...Tips?

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Hey everyone!

I just got a Nikon D3400 for my birthday / Christmas and was wondering if anyone had any tips for a starter-is. I had taken 3 photography classes in HS with a regular SLR camera, so I'm not a complete rookie, but it has been about 5 years since those classes,

 

[havoc315]

Take another class... and/or read books..... watch youtube videos..... get a trial of lightroom and photoshop and learn to shoot raw...

Congratulations and enjoy your camera.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Take another class... and/or read books..... watch youtube videos..... get a trial of lightroom and photoshop and learn to shoot raw...

Congratulations and enjoy your camera.

Thank you! I have found someone local that teaches classes, so I am definitely going to take one. I do have some experience with Photoshop from college, so I would definitely love to edit my pictures as well.

 

[MSPeeler]

I've been watching this channel by RealWorld, he uses the D3400 quite often and has been very helpful for me.

 

[bob100]

yes, look at youtube videos and photography books (check out your local library online)
www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

 

[xlxo]

Practice, see if here any volunteer opportunities seeking photography help.

Sometimes photography stores puts on shows with free tips.

 

[Skywise]

Shoot.

Shoot LOTS. You have a digital camera so there's no film or development costs so you can take a shot, see how it looks on the screen, adjust and shoot again until you get it right! (Which is how I learned the F stop on my cheap leans (f5 and higher) wasn't good enough for the night scenes I was trying to shoot! (but muh high iso!)

The other thing I learned (as an enthusiast rather than a pro) was that I didn't need to know that much about the specifics of shutter timings and exposure settings to get decent pics. Generally I can get by with the P mode on my canon (I'm sure there's a nikon equivalent) and dialing the exposure settings up or down or aiming the camera at a different point then back to my target point to get the on-board computer to do the right light balancing for me. (Which is the whole trick - learning how the camera/computer is going to take the shot and then adjusting the settings so the camera gives you what you want. It's not perfect as I'm sure I'm missing some details by not setting the aperture properly, etc; but for the most part I get some stunning shots this way.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

all great tips, thank you!

 

[xlxo]

BTW... here's some Nikon events around the country....
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-a...9A:Other Event/tag:a9A:Workshop/tag:a9A:Class

If you live in the North West.... this is my fav event every November. It's free and I go every year. https://www.events.kenmorecamera.com/

 

[bob100]

all great tips, thank you!

U R welcome

practice .. read books and articles .. videos online .. local classes
.

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

BTW... here's some Nikon events around the country....
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-a...9A:Other Event/tag:a9A:Workshop/tag:a9A:Class

If you live in the North West.... this is my fav event every November. It's free and I go every year. https://www.events.kenmorecamera.com/

Unfortunately I live in the North East, but that event does look really cool!

 

[manning]

double post

 

[manning]

Learn the rule of thirds

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/rule-of-thirds

There are examples in article

I believe the grid can be displayed in your camera view finder.

 

[manning]

double post sorry

 

[jimim]

invest in a external flash also. along with a diffuser to use with it like something rom gary fong or demb flash. i have used demb saucer in the parks for character meets for 10 years now. i love it. i have been using the gary fong lithosphere over the holiday and i am finding it actually very nice. i have had that also for years but never used it cause i loved my demb saucer but the lithosphere is pretty good now that i have also a better understanding of flash in general.

 

[xlxo]

i loved my demb saucer

I'm another Demb lover. I got the now discontinued Mega... http://photo-tips-online.com/review/demb-mega-flip-it-kit-flash-reflector/

A warning to frequently flash users.... consider getting a flash bracket to avoid ugly side shadows.

 

[havoc315]

invest in a external flash also. along with a diffuser to use with it like something rom gary fong or demb flash. i have used demb saucer in the parks for character meets for 10 years now. i love it. i have been using the gary fong lithosphere over the holiday and i am finding it actually very nice. i have had that also for years but never used it cause i loved my demb saucer but the lithosphere is pretty good now that i have also a better understanding of flash in general.

I’m a fan of Mag Mod.

 

[bob100]

I'm a fan of "bouncing" the light
www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

 

[KVH]

Realize you'll probably end up with more than one camera bag. One just to carry and protect the camera. And at least one to carry everything you'll end up accumulating over time.