First shots with first SLR camera

[Mark3]

I have recently purchased my first dslr, a Nikon D60. I went out this morning and took a few shots and was just wondering what you all thought of them. Any advice would be much appreciated as i am still finding all the settings etc a little confusing. Here are the best 3 out of 30 or so shots






Cheers, Mark

[Lancashire Lad]

I can't see much wrong with these that you could have done better.

I'm assuming you are using a kit lens something like 18-55mm?

I like the second image - definitely has the wide angle effect going on. Pity about the diagonal trunk at top right corner, but you can't do much about where a tree is growing, and if you'd moved the camera position, the whole shot might not have worked.

Third image doesn't really do it for me as a bird shot, the magpie is too small in the frame, and could have done with a bit more exposure. (But again, you've only just bought the camera, and don't have a bag full of lenses to play with so options are obviously limited at present. - The main frustration for anyone just embarking on the DSLR route).

I can't really add anything other than to say just keep taking photos. The more you use the camera, the more familiar it will become, and you will find yourself being able to work on auto pilot without needing to think "how do I set this or that control".

I don't know whether your primary interest is birds or or something that will require a macro lens. but I'd advise saving for the best lens you can afford which suits your main interest. You will always find that this lens stays on camera most of the time, even when you do eventually have a "bag-full" to play with.

Happy snapping.
Regards,
Mike.

[Mark3]

Thanks Mike. You assumed right, i am using the 18-55mm kit lens. I see what you mean about the magpie being to small in the frame, i will hopefully be getting a lens with a longer focal length soon. My main interests are plants and insects so i guess a good macro would be a sensible idea. I have recently taken a bit more of an interest in birds so i will most likely get a longer lens, when i can afford it.

Thanks for the help
Mark

[Jim Ford]

I think the first thing you should be thinking of is getting a better quality standard range lens. The one you have looks to be pretty soft with obvious chromatic aberration.

Jim

[wrogers]

Your photos have got some great composition for a first SLR.. I am guessing you must have used a compact for a while before upgrading.

The first and second images i think are the best.

photo 1: I think that maybe if you shot from a slightly lower angle you could get a bit more of the ground in, and maybe Underexpose a little (read your manual about exposure compensation) and go for a negative value.
but it is miles better than my first photo in woodland, It had a 4 second exposure, and came out white?

anyway onto photo 2: Slightly blurry, a tripod would help here. and watch out for something in your bottom right corner. overall a nice photo, again maybe kneeling or osing a lower angle would help a little.

Photo 3: if this is the kit lens, then maybe your next longer lens would be a 70-300 VR in this instance as that would get a good shot.

remember keep trying and never feel disheartened.. if my advice is too frank, then read the next post.

overall some good ideas for subjects and compostition.
This should get a school grade of B+ .... keep trying and you will get to an A!!

All the best

Will
Will

[big bill]

Like Jim says get yourself a better lens as teh pics are either a bit soft or slightly out of focus other than that they are not bad at all for your first venture into the world of the Dslr like they says practice makes perfect. The more you practice and use the different settings the more familure you will become with the camera and what you are aiming for is to get away from the auto end of the picture taking onto either manual or the programm modes like aperture/shutter priority were you take control of your picture taking.
Best of luck look forward to seeing more of your pics the only way to learn is through practice and showing others your work for fair and constructictive critic.
Go and take more pics now it dont cost in developing only your time enjoy

[RobinP]

I use a D60 with a Sigma 55-200 IS lens and most of the shots are pretty good especially with butterflies. I don't tend to use the manual settings much as speed is of the essence so most of the shots are done using auto. A macro lens would be a good addition so I am looking out for a reasonably priced Sigma 150mm.

Good efforts btw, like pics 1 & 2.

[pammosley]

I like the first photo best, as for advice I can`t give any-I still use auto

[squishy]

I've been told to (and would recommend) using aperture priority mode for landscape and a lot of wildlife photography. that mode lets you choose the aperture and sets the shutter speed to achieve a correct exposure.

Also, it's a good policy to generally try to avoid the floor in forest shots (unless, of course, what you are trying to capture is on the floor), because its usually very messy and not particularly photogenic .

[Mark3]

Will - Thanks for your help. I had used a compact for a while before upgrading I did actually have my tripod with me but didnt think about using. You have a good eye, i didnt notice that in the bottom right corner. I do hope i can get an A soon

Bill - Cheers for the advice. I agree they are a bit out of focus, im not use to the manual focus.

RobinP - Cheers. I think i will have to have a look into those lenses

Squishy - Thanks for the help. I will have to give that a go when i next go out on a wonder.

Thanks for all the help everyone, much appreciated. I noticed that the wide angle lens i got has a macro attached so i decided to try it out in the back garden. I took them all using the auto macro setting and manual focus,








Cheers, Mark