Another Newie!!!!

[thorwood]

Hi All,

I found this sensational forum in my internet travels & have learnt heaps already just reading all the different sections.
To be honest, I fell rather embarrassed even posting as I am such an amateur compared to everyone here. Anyway, I have plucked up my
courage so here I am.

I have always had Nikon film SLRs, & a few years back lashed out & bought a D70 when they first came out, cost me a small fortune at the time.
How I loved this camera, it has been out in all weathers, all over Australia & never missed a beat, & what fun to be able to load your photos on to the computer or watch them on a DVD slideshow. Sadly, I have given my
poor D70 a terminal injury (my fault, not a camera malfunction) & will look at sending her to hospital. Still the upside of that is I get to buy a new camera, was going to go the D80, but have decided D300 looks more tempting.

I like to take lots of photos of my horses (lol, hundereds & hundreds in fact), & also my kids, as well as photos when we go four wheel driving.
We live in the beautiful Yarra Valley in Victoria, plenty of photo opportunities here.

Anyway, nice to meet you all, I will most probably be a bit of a lurker & here to learn.


Cheers
Amanda

[Glen]

Sorry Amanda - we are full.

Only joking, welcome aboard a great intro and looking forward to seeing your photos. I made the same steps as you from film, D70 and then the D300, I am sure you will like it and quite reasonable in price at the moment. Cheers Glen

[thorwood]

Thanks for the welcome Glen,
But oh dear, I really think I would be too embarrassed to post any of my pics, there are so many beautiful ones on here.
I am sadly rather lacking in the technique department, hence why I love my auto everything D70.
STill, you never know, if I hang around here long enough, some technical vibes just might rub off on me. Can only hope anyway.

[StarForge]

\\'elcome Amanda!

Horses are magnificent animals, looking forward to seeing your photos of them!

[Marvin]

Hi Amanda,
Welcome to the forum. I used to be very embarrassed too, wouldn't ever post any pictures. I soon learnt that the best way to learn is to get feedback. Also, take that D70 (or D300) out of auto mode. You will learn heaps! I would love to see some of your horse and children pictures. Nice to have another girl on the forum too, the active female members are outnumbered by the males here!
Cheers,
Lee

[gstark]

Sorry Amanda - we are full.

Well, that's what we tell Glen: that he's full of it!

Amanda, welcome. As Marvin suggests, grab your camera, put it in M, and start shootin' and-a postin'. You will be surprised at, first of all, how good you already are, and then just how quickly your images will improve.

[Mr Darcy]

Hi Amanda & Welcome,

You'll be right as long as you steer clear of the Grumpy Old Men like me (and a few others I could mention )

Post away. You always judge your own work more harshly than you judge others. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well your photos look to others.

Also if others think it can be improved, you will probably be told how, often with examples, but bear in mind, that will be their taste. Try the suggestion by all means, but don't be afraid to say you liked the original better.

You might also consider entering this competition: http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33691. I bet you get more than one vote in each category. Its just for fun, and you judge how a photo fits the theme.

for Example

Brushing down a horse: Horse culture
Two horses looking at one another: Communication
A horse in a fluid gallop: flower (flow-er)
The rump of an appaloosa: natural pattern

[thorwood]

Thanks everyone for the welcome & encouragement.
I am growing braver by the minute.

Marvin, I can't believe that the fellas outnumber the girls here . In our very large family I am the only one
who is interested in photography.

Mr Darcy, I love your avatar pic. Would love to have a go at doing the challenge, but sadly no camera at the moment (well not one that works),
unless of course I buy a D300 tomorrow. Still trying to decide where to buy it from, the internet gives us too many
choices. LOL, to everyone who suggested that I turn my camera off Auto mode, well I will give it a try, I actually always used
my film SLR in Manual mode, but seem to have forgotten how with the digi camera, should stop being lazy I guess.

Cheers
Amanda

[Mr Darcy]

Mr Darcy, I love your avatar pic.

Thank you.

It was in mimicry of a Canon poster from some years back. The caption was something along the lines of "you are looking at the only camera that can take this photo" Literally true, but only because it was the only camera in the field of view, not because it is somehow a better camera than any other - though that's what they wanted you to believe. Even a pinhole camera could take an equivalent photo.

It is both simpler and more complicated than it looks.
On the simple side it's just a shot into a mirror. The tricky bit is that the flash you see is just nominal. The main lighting is from an SB800 (or was it two - I can't remember) beside the mirror shining towards the camera. They were triggered by the Popup flash

but sadly no camera at the moment

Sorry to hear that, but not even a camera built into your phone? Even I've got one of those & I tried hard (but failed) to get a phone that was just a phone.
Take your time choosing your new camera. It is important to get it right. If you don't you won't use it. Play with them in a camera store and choose one that feels right in your hands, and that has controls where you expect them. All the main contenders can take photos that are brilliant, but only if you have it with you and know how to use it.

[gstark]

Amanda,

Greg has said some wise words here. It could not have been put better than what he has stated.

[Oz_Beachside]

welcome! there is a lot of learning going on in here, so post your pics and be comfortable.

[thorwood]

I forgot about my phone camera, but it is a really cheap phone & the camera is shocking!!!!
It certainly would be a challenge to get a decent photo from it.

Thanks for advice re buying a new camera, but I have always had Nikon cameras & always been happy, so
will stay a "Nikon girl" for the time being.
I hear exactly what you are saying & wise advice. But for me, I find I am one of those people, that if I look into anything too much,
I simply can't make up my mind & end up procrastinating and going round and round in circles and buying nothing & then the next model comes out, so I start all over again. The more I read & research, the
more confused I get, hence I read the reviews on the DP Review site (hope that is not a no no), then I make up my mind & buy, lol, quickly, before I change my mind.
I never set eyes on a D70 till I picked it up at the shop, & fell in love with it the first time I used it.
Anyway, hope I don't get it wrong this time.

Thanks again.
Cheers
Amanda

[Mr Darcy]

I never set eyes on a D70 till I picked it up at the shop, & fell in love with it the first time I used it.

And that is exactly why you should play with them in a shop.
In my case it was the D200. I couldn't afford it so I bought a D70s instead, then upgraded as soon as some money came in.

And yes I am a Nikonian too.

[Matt. K]

Welcome Amanda. Looking forward to seeing some of your pictures.