My new camera

[williamk10]

Time to throw away that old point and shoot and step up. After I figure out how to use it, pictures will come

[led hed]

then after you figure out to use it, you will look into 'other' lenses, which will become expensive. just beware.

[Bubs daddy]

The kits lens is OK but first, get yourself a good, fast, prime lens. I would suggest a 50mm/1.4. You'll be amazed at the difference. They're fun to shoot with, as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor ... B00005LENO

[Mikiee]

This thread is useless without some (sample) pics.

[williamk10]

Here's one



need to get out there during the day to take some pics

[williamk10]

The kits lens is OK but first, get yourself a good, fast, prime lens. I would suggest a 50mm/1.4. You'll be amazed at the difference. They're fun to shoot with, as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor ... B00005LENO

I will consider it. It looks like a neat lens.

Btw, any tips on macro shooting? The D90 came with a 18-105 lens and I am having difficulty focusing on close up shots in marco mode

[Bubs daddy]

I shoot 75% of my photos on aperture priority. This allows me to have precise control over lighting, depth of field and focusing options.

My suggestion would be to be a flexible (often times literally) when composing shots. You'll be amazed at the endless number of angles and looks there are to the same subjects. Try to use the rule of thirds, it's quite helpful. Both in live shooting and post production.

Look at other photos you think are great. What makes them great?

Lighting can be often tricky to use effectively. Experiment. Photograph the same subject or object 400 times. You'll have to be creative. There's always another way. Use perspective, use imagination. Make mistakes, lots of 'em.

I will often take hundreds of shots of something because I know 2 or 3 of them will be good and one will be the money shot.

Above all, have fun!

[williamk10]

Thanks for the tips. I've been taking a ton of pictures. I tried some night photos tonight and was wondering what settings you recommend for night shooting?

[Bubs daddy]

Depends on a number of things: type of lighting sources (incandescent, sodium vapor, tungsten, flourescent, etc), subject stationary or moving, and what you're trying to accomplish. Colors will be affected greatly so white balance, ISO, shutter speed and aperture will need to be experimented with. A fast lens is helpful, one that allows one or two f-stops of additional light.

Shooting in RAW can be helpful post production although your photo editor suite must allow manipulation with RAW files, check yours to see if it does. White balance can be changed using raw even if you got it wrong with the shot. ISO, lighting and other attiributes as well. Some can be done with jpg but more imaging data can be extracted and redefined in raw. I do both, depending on many factors.

[aidan80]

Here's one



need to get out there during the day to take some pics

I like your head units.. what are they and more importantly, what can they do! I've been tempted to go for either a custom build in dash computer or an in dash GPS if it also plays video/audio files and doesn't cost $1,000 lol.

[williamk10]

Check my car PC thread


versa-car-pc-project-t475815.html

[led hed]

Thanks for the tips. I've been taking a ton of pictures. I tried some night photos tonight and was wondering what settings you recommend for night shooting?

watch you background for poles and fences growing out of the subject.

use a flash, expose for the background, use fill-flash for the subject.
and if you don't understand what i typed, then pick up the book "understanding exposure" by bryan peterson.

[williamk10]

I've been trying to find locations to shoot with minimal distractions in the back but that has been difficult.

However, I have discovered that the content aware feature in CS5 is quite handy. There were a bunch of lightpoles in this picture before I removed them all

[led hed]

looks good! nice shot.

[williamk10]

Thanks

Full size shot



I can't seem to get the focus right on macro shots. Is the 18-105 lens just no good for close up shooting? I'm in macro mode

[Bubs daddy]

Unless you're shooting a lightbulb filament, I'd pass on the macro.

18 is a good wide focal length, should some good comnpositions with that.

[williamk10]

The kits lens is OK but first, get yourself a good, fast, prime lens. I would suggest a 50mm/1.4. You'll be amazed at the difference. They're fun to shoot with, as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor ... B00005LENO

Thanks for the recommendation



Picked it up in Hong Kong during a recent trip.

Also, gift from a friend:



HAX!