Complete Newby.

[newmankl]

Hey guys,

I am a bit lost here and I'm not even sure if this is in the correct forum, please feel free to move this.

Here is my situation as it stands. I bought a second hand Nikon D70 earlier in the year along with w 18-70 lens and a few other goodies. I am quite please with it and have really enjoyed using it, however when i went on holidays in July i struggled to get it out of auto purely because I just had no idea.

I am going to Indonesia for 6 weeks in December and then to Malaysia next year. I would really like to take some memorable shots while I'm o/s. So what is your guys recommendations... What books should i read etc. Is there anything else i should have?

Here is my very basic kit.

- Nikon D70
- Kit 18-70mm Lens
- 1gb CF card
- Lowerpro bag
- Hoya 67mm UV Filter

I am thinking of getting another Sandisk Ultra II Cf 4gb card and also i see good reviews for the Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens so that is on the shopping list. I am on quite a limited budget here hence the cheaper lens.
Is there anything else you guys would recommend me adding. Also I'm thinking about a smaller bag and the one i have now is quite large.

I had the UV filter on the whole time during my holidays... is this ok. I don't really know the right situation for it.


So as you can see I am very very new at this. I do really enjoy photography and would like to get into it, but it is just frustrating right now.

Thanks in advance,

Newman.

[shakey]

For understanding how to correctly expose photos I would suggest "Understanding Exposure", by Bryan Petersen. Composing photos, which is really the most important thing, is another matter. Get a couple of copies of "National Geographic" and study the photos there would be my suggestion.

UV filters...mainly a lens protecter. I use them, but many don't. Don't want to start another UV filter thread though

Get a microfibre cloth to clean your lens/filter, a spare battery, more CF cards. Given that you have a limited budget I wouldn't get the 50/1.8 specifically for the trip, unless you intend to shoot in low light situations Certainly a great lens but you've got the focal range covered with the very good 18-70, just not the wide aperture.

Enjoy your trip and let us see some photos!

[newmankl]

Wow, what a quick reply, cheers,

So do you just have the UV filter on 24/7 then or is it certain situations that you use it ?

I'll get a copy of the book suggested.

So would you suggest any other lens? If it is a vital piece of equipment I can probably justify it .


Thanks again,

Newman.

[whitey]

Hi

I would start by reading the tutorials over here. viewforum.php?f=26 I found them useful.

Also I find aperture priority mode really useful as it gives you control over depth of field. The 18-70 is a great lens I use it with my D80, I just went to India for 10 days - I took the 18-70 and the 50mm 1.8 and didnt put the 50mm on once. (the 50mm is a great lens though, value is unbelievable.)

I find that there is a bunch of info available on the net and have never bought books, start taling shots and experimenting and post them here for feedback and suggestions.

Here are a few forums worth perusing

http://www.dslrusers.com/

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/

http://www.digitalslr.com.au/forum/

http://www.diyphotography.net/

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

http://www.photo.net

http://www.nikonian.org

Good luck.

[newmankl]

Ah excellent.

I'll bookmark all those sites. Interesting that you hardly used the 50mm at all..any reason for that?

I guess also i just need to get out there.

Thanks guys,

Newman.

[gstark]

Hi, and welcome.

I would start by NOT bothering with any books whatsoever.

Instead, put your camera into A, and just start shooting. Make a notw of what and how you're shooting, along with your objectives. Post what you've shot in our Image Critiques section, and as you post, please tell us what you wanted to achieve with the image.

Listen to the advice offered, and try to act upon it. You will be surprised at how quickly your skills will grow.

Also, pay attention to when forum events are being held, and try to get along to them. You will be made to feel very welcome, and everyone will offer you advice on how to make some shots.

Regarding your list of purchases ... absolutely get the 50mm lens - nobody should be without one. Get the Sandisk III if you can; it will be a better purchase in the longer term, but either the II or II will be fine, and yes, you need at least to get a second card.

[Aussie Dave]

I agree with Gary.
If you have the internet available to you, I wouldn't worry about rushing out and purchasing any books.

Also, as Gary suggests, get out there and just start shooting. Other than time, it isn't really going to cost you anything and you cannot read experience....you have to go out and earn it yourself.

Switch the dial over to A and this will let you choose the aperture the camera uses to take your photos (which in turn is letting you decide the Depth of Field).
Once you have your head around that, switch the dial to S (which is Shutter priority). This will let you choose the shutter speed and the camera will choose the appropriate aperture for you. This is handy when shooting scenes that have motion in them (as you can choose to either blur the motion - by using a slow shutter speed, or freeze the action - by choosing a fast shutter speed.

When you get comfortable with this, flick over to Manual mode and you can choose both settings yourself....though most people tend to stay is either A or S mode for most of their shooting.

Don't be afraid to post your results as you will gain some very helpful and insightful assistance by posting images here. We all continue to learn and are more than happy to help, when asked

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy what you are doing.

As for purchasing lenses, the 50 1.8 is a great lens however it might be a good idea to stay with your kit lens for now and get used to the camera with this lens. Once you start to get a feel for your photography, you may find you like shootings portraits or landscapes or night scenes, etc. Depending on which stream of photography you begin to gravitate towards, you can then look to purchase an appropriate lens for that type of shooting.

Looking forward to seeing some photos posted soon !

[the foto fanatic]

For the "getting your head around a camera" basics, you can't beat these two free tutorials on this site:

• http://www.redbacksweb.com/files/dslru/PHOTOGRAPHYINANUTSHELL.pdf
• http://www.redbacksweb.com/files/dslru/Exposure101.pdf

Print them out and read them. Take them with you in your camera bag. You'll pick up the information you are looking for in no time.

[Reschsmooth]

I will respectfully disagree and say that, firstly, the book recommended is (apparently) very good - I bought it for my nephew and he got a lot of value out of it.

Secondly, I find a good book such as this a good complement to practical experience. Whilst getting feedback on great forums such as this is invaluable, sometimes it helps to have a good theoretical understanding of some of the key points (well, at least that is how I learn).

A good book can also be read at times when you aren't or can't take photos, download, post and then wait for feedback.

Favourate books I have read:

1. The Negative [Ansell Adams] - apparently the first book "The Camera" is also very good.
2. Light: Science & Magic [Biver, Fuqua & Hunter]

So, in my opinion, a good book(s) such as these are potentially great tools in your tool box!

[gstark]

A good book can also be read at times when you aren't or can't take photos, download, post and then wait for feedback.

As can a good tutorial. Just print the thing out.

And it's far more portable than most books. Smaller. Lighter. Foldable. A couple of pages can fit into your pocket; try that with a good Ansell Adams book.

Nothing is more effective than shooting, chimping, posting, and getting an appraisal. Then listening.

While I accept that there are lots of great books around, and I certainly suggest that people get them for background and further reinforcement of technique, there is nothing that is better - nothing - than simply shooting something quickly whilst taking note of what you're doing, reviewing the outcomes from that shoot along with your objectives for that shoot, learning from that experience, and then moving on to improve your technique using all that you've leanred thus far..

[sirhc55]

Both Gary and Patrick have valid points.

It is true that that getting out and about with your camera is a great learning curve. But it is equally true that a good photo book within your field of endeavour will help in visualising want you want from your camera. Without the instruction manual or a well written book on your particular model of camera you would be shooting without control.

How often do we hear of people using the auto control on their DSLR camera? There are two reasons for this, one they have not read the instruction manual and two, they do not have a knowledge of photographic principles. I have been involved in photography for more years than I want to remember but I do have books by John Shaw (nature and closeups), Paul Harcourt Davies (nature macro) and even a book by David Busch on the D300. The internet is a tremendous source of information but there is nothing better than curling up with a good old fashioned book and learning the old fashioned way.

[phillipb]

I don't think it matters how you get the information as long as you get it.
It's simple really, get the info, apply it by practicing and move on to more advanced stuff as it starts to sink in.
Post some photos here so that you can start the learning process.

[Mr Darcy]

The best way to learn is to try, and experiment. Remember there is no such thing as a failed experiment. Often the negative results teach you more than the great images.

However, a good book also has tremendous advantages. You can learn from other's experience. While there are excellent online tutorials out there, I find they don't work as well as a good book, even printed out.
For me, I like "Blaker: Field photography" (probably out of print) and "Light Science and magic" as above

But I guess we all learn in different ways. Yuo need to find your way.

[methd]

Hey guys,

I am a bit lost here and I'm not even sure if this is in the correct forum, please feel free to move this.

Here is my situation as it stands. I bought a second hand Nikon D70 earlier in the year along with w 18-70 lens and a few other goodies. I am quite please with it and have really enjoyed using it, however when i went on holidays in July i struggled to get it out of auto purely because I just had no idea.

I am going to Indonesia for 6 weeks in December and then to Malaysia next year. I would really like to take some memorable shots while I'm o/s. So what is your guys recommendations... What books should i read etc. Is there anything else i should have?

Here is my very basic kit.

- Nikon D70
- Kit 18-70mm Lens
- 1gb CF card
- Lowerpro bag
- Hoya 67mm UV Filter

I am thinking of getting another Sandisk Ultra II Cf 4gb card and also i see good reviews for the Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens so that is on the shopping list. I am on quite a limited budget here hence the cheaper lens.
Is there anything else you guys would recommend me adding. Also I'm thinking about a smaller bag and the one i have now is quite large.

I had the UV filter on the whole time during my holidays... is this ok. I don't really know the right situation for it.


So as you can see I am very very new at this. I do really enjoy photography and would like to get into it, but it is just frustrating right now.

Thanks in advance,

Newman.

even better.. there's many photography meets that you can come along to, i think there's one on the 28th in melb section. you'll learn a lot from ppl around you and most are willing to offer advice.

[Pa]

this is some thing i found helpfull.......[Photography in a nutshell].....by Mattk a member on this forum

used to be on the front page.

[Yi-P]

Hello and welcome

Best way to learn is to learn from your own mistakes. Reading can give you background knowledge and guide on how to start learning. But the learning process still depends on the trial & error process you had gone through.

Go out, shoot, come back, read, reflect, and repeat...

At least, that's how I learned my way...

[Marvin]

I found Thom Hogan's guide to the D70 very useful when I first got my D70.

[newmankl]

Thanks guys, I'm amazed at the amount of posters that have replied. It is thoroughly appreciated,

Now to do some reading.
I will take all this info on board. But I think it's most important for me to just get out there and see what happens as you've all said.


Thanks again,

Newman.

[whitey]

I'll bookmark all those sites. Interesting that you hardly used the 50mm at all..any reason for that?

I didnt even use it once, mainly because of the convenience of the zoom for framing shots. and 18 mm is pretty wide for landscapes as well. I was in india so moving backwards or forwards to frame a photo with a prime would have meany being run over by a tuk tuk or fight my way through a billion indians

When I am at home the 50mm is always on. Its takes superb shots.