New to DSLR, what now. - Ducati.ms

Backhome77 · Apr 8th, 2009, 4:47 pm

Hello all,

I just bought a Nikon D60 with 18-55 and 55-200mm VR lenses and a case. It was really a gift for my girlfriend, whose been wanting one for a while now, but I think that I'll be using it as much as her.

This is the first non-point and shot camera for both of us. Other than read the manual, what should we do next. Any books, blogs, forums, classes, accessories, etc. that you guys recommend?

Thanks,

Shaun

swanny338 · Apr 8th, 2009, 4:54 pm

There are some good beginner tutorials here. The Jodie Coston ones will walk you through a lot of things that are great to know.
http://www.morguefile.com/docs/Classroom

Shez748 · Apr 8th, 2009, 6:57 pm

www.photo.net has a lot of info and is parused by photographers world wide.

Project84 · Apr 9th, 2009, 10:03 pm

start taking pics! Thats the only way to really practice putting the knowledge into use.

WolfyWolfy · Apr 9th, 2009, 11:23 pm

Congratulations on your first DSLR. As suggested, start taking pics and just start messing around with your camera and lenses. Two books that have helped me a lot are Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure and Learning to See Creatively

They get to the essentials and give you a starting point.

corks67 · Apr 11th, 2009, 4:36 am

take lotsa photo's experiment - see what werkz and wot don't - oh and have fun, dont lose sight of that......

SS904 · Apr 11th, 2009, 7:52 am

Just what has already been said. Buy a book concerning exposure. You will need to develop an understanding of how shutter, aperture, ISO and light (available or supplied by you) relate. If you don’t understand how your new camera can make use of those elements to produce the image you have in your head, you will wonder why you spent the money on a DSLR over a point and shoot... Yes, and take lots of pics. Finally, regardless of what you may read on the several photography forums available, you do not need that $1500 lens to get sharp colorful pictures! Just like with motorcycles, if you can’t tune it to run right stock, bolting on parts isn’t going to make it any better! They are nice though

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reitsmjo · Apr 12th, 2009, 7:29 am

I'd also recommend looking at your local community college to see if they offer night courses. I have found them to be a big help in learning the basics plus giving you real assignments that help reinforce what you learn.

mthreesc · Apr 15th, 2009, 11:52 am

i once had a project to take a 100 shots around my area, turns out at lease five will be printable. good luck

FortyTwo · Apr 19th, 2009, 3:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by reitsmjo

I'd also recommend looking at your local community college to see if they offer night courses. I have found them to be a big help in learning the basics plus giving you real assignments that help reinforce what you learn.

Very good recommendation. You'd learn a good foundation of photography that can be applied to subjects of all types...