Where do I find tutorials?

[Mellie2162]

Last year my husband bought me a Nikon D3100 for Mother's Day and mostly Ive been using the auto setting to snap photos, however, I think its time I learned how to shoot in other modes and learned how to use this camera to its full potential. I need a tutorial for Dummies because Im a dummy when it comes to this. I really dont have a clue about any of the settings and would like to learn more. Ive looked on youtube but mostly its a bunch of stuff for people who already know how to use a digital SLR, I cant find anything for beginners. I looked on the Nikon website and cant find anything. Ive gone through the manual, but honestly I learn better from watching someone else do it and not reading. Any suggestions?

 

[Sam241]

There are 3 basic settings you should learn how to use and they are Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO. If you learn what those do and how to set them on your camera you will be set.


Read below as it will explain how to change those settings in your camera. If you already know how to change those settings then just skip to the bottom to watch a video explaining what they do.

Turn your dial to "M" on your camera, now look down and right and you will see a little turn wheel almost directly under the "Q" on you camera. This wheel adjusts Shutter Speed and Aperture on your camera.

In order to adjust the shutter speed (While in "M" mode) simply turn the wheel right or left. Right will make the shutter open and close more quickly, which will allow you to free action but does not allow for much light to enter. Left will open and close the shutter more slowly which allows for more light to enter but can blur motion.


Now look at your on/off switch and you will see a button that has a +/-. Holding this button down and turning the same wheel as you just did for your shutter speed will open and close your Aperture. Now look on the display on the back of the camera, hold down the +/- and move the wheel to the left and to the right. You should see a little graphic of with a ring closing and opening, that's your aperture.



To change your ISO select the "I" located bottom left of the display. The display will turn grey and you will see yellow highlighted area. Using the Up, Down, Left, Right arrows surrounding the OK button move the highlight to ISO and push in OK. Now you can adjust your ISO.



Now that you know where everything is and how to change it what this video to better understand what they do.

http://vimeo.com/26082337


Good luck!

 

[Mellie2162]

Thank you that was very helpful, but still feeling a bit overwhelmed. I think I need to find someone who can actually show me on my camera what I am doing. May have to look into some beginner photography classes at the local college. That really helped with helping me figure out how to set the aperture and shutter speed. I think I need more help figuring out though when to use what settings, but I guess playing around will help me learn. Thanks again.

 

[Sam241]

Good idea, I'm the same way. In less someone is showing me I forget it. Glad I could help a little though, play with the camera and the settings and you will figure it out.

 

[disneyboy2003]

If you're ok with learning from books, there are a whole bunch of books written specifically about your camera. Here's a list of books on Amazon.com. In fact, the 1st book listed is "Nikon D3100 for Dummies". I've also heard good things about the Magic Lantern Guides series.

 

[WDWFigment]

Here are the books I've read and recommend: http://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-trip-planning/photography-book-recommendations/

 

[Frantasmic]

http://www.shortcourses.com/

This is a good online course site.

 

[Twigs]

To learn about my Nikon D80 when I got it years ago I went to my the library and took out all the D80 books in the county catalog to see which I would want to buy. The for Dummies book, David Buschs book and the Magic Lantern book helped me the most and I decided to buy David Busch's book and took notes from the others. Then to learn how to use my DSLR I took out Bryan Peterson's Understanding Photography and many of the other books listed in WDW Figments list. My photography has improved a lot since getting all these tips on this board, but the main thing I still need to do is to slow down and set up my shots. Too often I am taking pictures "on the run". But then I am usually trying to keeping up with my family!

 

[My2Girls66]

Here is one from Nikon for the 3100
http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d3100/index.html

 

[krb2g]

Start with Understanding Exposure. I picked this book up on WDWFigment's recommendation, and while I understood some of the basics about the relationships between aperture, ISO, and shutter speed before going in, the book totally changed the way I look at photography (for the better!). I'd also recommend the blog/website www.disneyphotographyblog.com--they have great tutorials on more Disney-specific skills, like fireworks and dark rides.

Edited to add: I recently went on a photowalk (Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalk had walks all over the world...)--and I found the other people on the walk to be a tremendous resource. Look for photowalks and photography clubs in your area...

 

[Frantasmic]

I think I need to find someone who can actually show me on my camera what I am doing.

I can't believe the nice people in this board haven't offered to help you in the manner you desire.

I for one, despite the personal sacrifices it will entail, offer to travel with you to disneyworld on your next trip and show you how to take pictures with your camera. Please contact me with my ticket information so I can put it on my calendar.

 

[Stitch2007]

I bought the same camera in March...I bought "NikonD3100 for Dummies" and that has helped alot.

 

[Mellie2162]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions. Im going to hit the library tomorrow and see what I can find. I appreciate all the help.