This week I'm working on... (now with a page 1 directory)

[NateNLogansDad]

Hey Goof, those night shots look amazing. I hate hate hate the orange lights in my area since we have them EVERYWHERE and they screw up my shots usually, but somehow you turned them into art AGAIN. I must say, that 5000 is made for you. Very nicely done!

 

[TheGoofster]

Very nice, they turned out so much better than my first attempts.

Hey Goof, those night shots look amazing. I hate hate hate the orange lights in my area since we have them EVERYWHERE and they screw up my shots usually, but somehow you turned them into art AGAIN. I must say, that 5000 is made for you. Very nicely done!

Thanks guys!

The D5000 really is a nice camera if it can make a noob like me get a half-decent shot.
I do love night shots, though. There is a special feeling that you just can't get during the day.
I really want to do some experimenting on moving lights at night as well (cars, buses, planes, etc...). Hopefully I'll get a chance to try this out soon.

 

[Coach81]

Thanks guys!

The D5000 really is a nice camera if it can make a noob like me get a half-decent shot.
I do love night shots, though. There is a special feeling that you just can't get during the day.
I really want to do some experimenting on moving lights at night as well (cars, buses, planes, etc...). Hopefully I'll get a chance to try this out soon.

I agree.. you give me motivation, Goof!!! We also share something in common, one of my most favorite things to do is to take early, EARLY shots around the different resorts that we stay at in Disney.. I really love taking night shots as well.. I hope to take better and better ones with my new D5K!!!

 

[Coach81]

So here goes.. my first pics with my new D5K.. I was trying to

I was trying to get that cool focus on just the "flower" with the background blurred effect.. and then I took a pic of my son as a portrait again trying to blurr the backgroud..

I messed with the "A", "S", & "M" settings on the camera..

I tried to reduce the F, and then I increased the apature (sp) and then decreased the apature.. increased the F. and decreased the F..

I had some success with the flower.. but I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT MY SETTINGS WHERE WHEN I SNAPPED THE PICTURE Also I was a bit upset as even when I had it on "M".. - means manual, right ? - the camera kept refocusing when I pressed it half way!!

Anyway here they are PLEASE HELP:
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

I welcome all criticisms.. critiques..advice.. etc.. etc..

I was using the "kit" lens 18-55mm with various settings..

Thanks in advance for all your help..

 

[Scottwdw]

Hey, you are doing great but your camera might be fighting you. Look at your manual in regards to focus settings for your camera. It sounds like your focus area is huge and the camera is finding it hard to determine the subject you want versus what it thinks the subject should be.

Also, I suggest you put the camera in A (aperture priority) mode when you want to control the depth of field. A small aperture (like f/4) will give you the out of focus background if you are close to your subject (or zoomed in). That out of focus background is called bokeh. If you don't want the background out of focus, use larger aperture numbers like f/11 or f/16.

dSLRs are great but there is a learning curve with all the neat features they have. Hope this helps!

 

[NLD]

Hi Coach,

You're doing okay for first shots on manual! Really, I think my first ones were completely black.

You said you ordered Understanding Exposure (IIRC), so when that comes... definitely read it. It will help loads.

Real quickly though....

Manual mode does not mean manual focus.


Here's a quick-and-dirty run-down of the different exposure modes:

Manual: you pick the aperture (also called the f stop), the shutter speed, and the ISO.

Aperture priority (A): you pick the aperture and the ISO. The camera picks the shutter speed.

Shutter priority (S): you pick the shutter speed and the ISO. The camera picks the aperture.

Program (P): you pick the ISO, the camera picks the aperture and shutter speed.

In all of those modes, you can either manually focus or let the camera focus (auto-focus).

If you choose auto-focus, that doesn't mean you are just stuck on letting the camera decide WHAT to focus on, though. There are different auto-focusing modes, just like there are different exposure modes.

For focusing....

If it's not already, try putting your camera into single servo focus mode (AF-S). You will then be able to use the mutliselector (squishy round button on the back of the camera that has arrows on it) to choose which focus point you want the camera to use. Once you get the focus point over whatever you actually want the focus to be on, you press the shutter button half-way down--this will let the camera lock focus--and then when you are ready, press the rest of the way down to take the picture.

Once you push that shutter button half-way down, the focus WILL lock on whatever you have your selected focus button over. If you keep the button half-way pressed, you can shift the camera slightly and even if your selected focus point is no longer over the subject you are choosing to focus on, you can still press the shutter button the rest of the way in to take the shot and your subject should still be in focus.

This technique is called focus-recompose. So something you might want to try is just using the center focus point, get it over what you want to focus on, press the shutter release button half-way, compose your shot the way you want it (keeping the shutter release button half-way depressed), and then press the shutter release button the rest of the way down.

What lens were you using?

 

[NLD]

Cross-posted with Scottwdw....

It is good advice actually to leave manual exposure mode alone for now. Wait for that until you start to understand how the exposure triangle (ISO, shutter speed, and aperture) relate to each other.

Staring with aperture-priority (A) is a good first step if you don't want to start in Program mode. Use a wide aperture (low f-number) for shallow depth-of-field (blurred backgrounds), and use a small aperture (high f-number) for lots of depth-of-field (background in focus).

 

[Coach81]

Hey, you are doing great but your camera might be fighting you. Look at your manual in regards to focus settings for your camera. It sounds like your focus area is huge and the camera is finding it hard to determine the subject you want versus what it thinks the subject should be.

Also, I suggest you put the camera in A (aperture priority) mode when you want to control the depth of field. A small aperture (like f/4) will give you the out of focus background if you are close to your subject (or zoomed in). That out of focus background is called bokeh. If you don't want the background out of focus, use larger aperture numbers like f/11 or f/16.

dSLRs are great but there is a learning curve with all the neat features they have. Hope this helps!

Someone else suggested "P" mode.. which should I choose? I think I would like to "learn" the Aperture mode first.. is that a good place to start, or should I do "P"?

Hi Coach,

You're doing okay for first shots on manual! Really, I think my first ones were completely black.

You said you ordered Understanding Exposure (IIRC), so when that comes... definitely read it. It will help loads.

Real quickly though....

Manual mode does not mean manual focus.


Here's a quick-and-dirty run-down of the different exposure modes:

Manual: you pick the aperture (also called the f stop), the shutter speed, and the ISO.

Aperture priority (A): you pick the aperture and the ISO. The camera picks the shutter speed.

Shutter priority (S): you pick the shutter speed and the ISO. The camera picks the aperture.

Program (P): you pick the ISO, the camera picks the aperture and shutter speed.

In all of those modes, you can either manually focus or let the camera focus (auto-focus).

If you choose auto-focus, that doesn't mean you are just stuck on letting the camera decide WHAT to focus on, though. There are different auto-focusing modes, just like there are different exposure modes.

For focusing....

If it's not already, try putting your camera into single servo focus mode (AF-S). You will then be able to use the mutliselector (squishy round button on the back of the camera that has arrows on it) to choose which focus point you want the camera to use. Once you get the focus point over whatever you actually want the focus to be on, you press the shutter button half-way down--this will let the camera lock focus--and then when you are ready, press the rest of the way down to take the picture.

Once you push that shutter button half-way down, the focus WILL lock on whatever you have your selected focus button over. If you keep the button half-way pressed, you can shift the camera slightly and even if your selected focus point is no longer over the subject you are choosing to focus on, you can still press the shutter button the rest of the way in to take the shot and your subject should still be in focus.

This technique is called focus-recompose. So something you might want to try is just using the center focus point, get it over what you want to focus on, press the shutter release button half-way, compose your shot the way you want it (keeping the shutter release button half-way depressed), and then press the shutter release button the rest of the way down.

What lens were you using?

Thanks for all the great advice! I was using the stock 18-55mm lens. I will try your suggestion.. thanks!

Cross-posted with Scottwdw....

It is good advice actually to leave manual exposure mode alone for now. Wait for that until you start to understand how the exposure triangle (ISO, shutter speed, and aperture) relate to each other.

Staring with aperture-priority (A) is a good first step if you don't want to start in Program mode. Use a wide aperture (low f-number) for shallow depth-of-field (blurred backgrounds), and use a small aperture (high f-number) for lots of depth-of-field (background in focus).

Ok.. so based on these suggestions, I think I'll continue to experiment with the "A" setting for now.. I'm bascially hoping to take a real good "manual" portrait this weekend of family members.. and WOW them with a close portrait of them.. with the background "blurred".. wish me luck!!

 

[TheGoofster]

I'm bascially hoping to take a real good "manual" portrait this weekend of family members.. and WOW them with a close portrait of them.. with the background "blurred".. wish me luck!!

One thing you might want to give a try is using your telephoto lens to take the portraits. If you do try it, I would recommend going full zoom (and adjust where you are standing to get the focus correct) to take the shots. I posted some shots a couple of pages ago in this thread about using your telephoto lens to get close up shots. It really does give you some great blurred backgrounds.

If you do this, try to use a background that will blur in such a way that will give you the background look that you want (whether very colorful or rather bland), also you will want to make sure that you have sufficient light. Shooting outside during the day is ideal.

 

[Coach81]

One thing you might want to give a try is using your telephoto lens to take the portraits. If you do try it, I would recommend going full zoom (and adjust where you are standing to get the focus correct) to take the shots. I posted some shots a couple of pages ago in this thread about using your telephoto lens to get close up shots. It really does give you some great blurred backgrounds.

If you do this, try to use a background that will blur in such a way that will give you the background look that you want (whether very colorful or rather bland), also you will want to make sure that you have sufficient light. Shooting outside during the day is ideal.

Thanks for the suggestion.. I will play with it some more over the next day or so and see..

 

[Coach81]

Hey, you are doing great but your camera might be fighting you. Look at your manual in regards to focus settings for your camera. It sounds like your focus area is huge and the camera is finding it hard to determine the subject you want versus what it thinks the subject should be.

Also, I suggest you put the camera in A (aperture priority) mode when you want to control the depth of field. A small aperture (like f/4) will give you the out of focus background if you are close to your subject (or zoomed in). That out of focus background is called bokeh. If you don't want the background out of focus, use larger aperture numbers like f/11 or f/16.

dSLRs are great but there is a learning curve with all the neat features they have. Hope this helps!

BTW Scott.. you were spot on.. I was fighting with my camera.. I noticed I left the setting on the lens to "AF" instead of manual..!! I will get better!!!

 

[Scottwdw]

BTW Scott.. you were spot on.. I was fighting with my camera.. I noticed I left the setting on the lens to "AF" instead of manual..!! I will get better!!!

Well, I leave mine on AF all the time. However, I do change to different focus modes. I like the suggestion to use the single point focus for shots you have time to work with. I tend to not trust my manual focus skills. You might not have such worries.

Believe me, once you understand how the D5000 works, you will be able to set it up the way you like to photograph without having to work so hard and having to remember manual settings. I wrote a whole series on the AllEars.net blog I contribute to (see link below) about the basics. The book that's been mentioned (Understanding Exposure) is one I read every year and recommend to all new SLR photographers.

 

[waltwhitman]

I love them keep it coming

 

[Coach81]

Well, I leave mine on AF all the time. However, I do change to different focus modes. I like the suggestion to use the single point focus for shots you have time to work with. I tend to not trust my manual focus skills. You might not have such worries.

Believe me, once you understand how the D5000 works, you will be able to set it up the way you like to photograph without having to work so hard and having to remember manual settings. I wrote a whole series on the AllEars.net blog I contribute to (see link below) about the basics. The book that's been mentioned (Understanding Exposure) is one I read every year and recommend to all new SLR photographers.

Thanks so much, Scott! I like your photo site as well!!! I look forward to learning much from you and the others!!!

 

[Coach81]

I am Frustrated..

So I went outside today to experiment with my new Nikon D5000 camera..I tried taking some shots while the sun was setting...

I set my camera to a low aperture- around F-5 I believe.. and I started snapping some pictures.. most of them came out kinda blurry as there was a few second delay on the camera taking the picture.

When I set the dial to sunset.. there was a very short delay and the picture came out much better..

Some of my shots did not come out at all.. even when I tried to use the flash..

Got me thinking...

So will I always have to just use the "camera settings" to get the most out of my camera? Part of the reason I bought the camera was in the hopes of me setting it on some type of manual setting (A, P, S, or M etc..) and having the skill, knowledge and technique to take some really nice pictures.

With my old Sony Point and Shoot.. I could have snapped all of those shots really quick.. and all or most would have come out.. granted they probably would have been pretty blurry, but at least I would have gotten the shot off.

So let me get to the point:

I like the challenge of learning how to take good pictures..

I would like to one day have all the knowledge and ability to really take some nice shots.. However..

If I want to take night pictures for example.. will I ALWAYS have to use a tripod to get decent shots?

I'm just wondering if perhaps this camera isn't for me???

Ultimately I would like to be able to take this camera on vacation.. and everywhere and be able to just snap shots.. perhaps every now and then go for a "great shot" all on my own..

Just kind of frustrated right now and wondering if I made the right decision..

I welcome your thoughts, comments, and suggestions...

 

[Ashmanarion]

Taking pictures at night will require either a steady hand or a tripod. You also need to realize that getting great pictures out of the gate using the manual modes is not really going to happen as quick as you want. Just give it some time, and with practice, you'll get to the point where the great shots will come out quickly for you like snapshots.

 

[Coach81]

As I posted on the other thread...

Update.. for more info..

I purposely turned off all AF.. I went all manual..no AF and no Vibration help whatsoever..



Further update..

I thought about it.. and then remembered some of the stuff I had been reading... and it hit me... ISO SETTING!!!!

So I went into my settings.. and checked.. it was set to drumroll...

200

I'm actually excited that I know enough that that is WAY TOO LOW for even moderately shaded.. much less 9 pm....

So I started tweeking it a bit.. and whamo.. my pictures got better and better.. the last one I took came out almost decently.. here are a few examples:

First needs no intro...

Second and third are the "best" without ISO adjustment..

And now with the ISO adjustment.. remember all of these shots were taken with no tripod.. and no flash.. and no use of AF or antivibration..

I realize that the last shot is far from a "good picture" but from where I started.. I am really excited. I feel as though I took a small step in my photography journey tonight..

 

[Coach81]

Taking pictures at night will require either a steady hand or a tripod. You also need to realize that getting great pictures out of the gate using the manual modes is not really going to happen as quick as you want. Just give it some time, and with practice, you'll get to the point where the great shots will come out quickly for you like snapshots.

Thanks for the encouragment, Ash!!

 

[TheGoofster]

coach,
Can you post a couple of the shots you took? Sometimes being able to see the pictures can help others offer advice as to what might have gone wrong, or what you might want to try and change.

Don't worry too much about your first few days (or even weeks of shooting). I know most of us probably have just as many stories of bad shots. The thing to do is to use those not so great shots as learning experiences. Thankfully you have access to some incredible photographers here on the DIS (definitely not talking about me) who can give you some awesome advice on how to improve your shots.
So don't get discourage, just keep on shooting and having fun learning.

 

[Coach81]

Just posted them above your post, Goof...