Critiques Needed - New DSLR owner

InLimbo87

InLimbo87

New member
Just got a new Nikon D40 kit (w/ 18-55mm lens) from Circuit City yesterday (449 on sale!!). I'm a complete virgin to SLR cameras/dslr's, have been using point and shoots. Anyways, these are a couple of my better shots from this round. I'm shooting in aperture priority, ISO 800, manual focus, no flash.

I know getting a tripod would really help me here, as I definitely do not have the hands of a surgeon. Anyone point me in the direction of a good tripod for cheap (now that I'm broke from this camera ;))

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Going to take the cam to Cocoa Beach today, test out the outdoor shots :)

May25FTS.jpg


May25Clowns.jpg


May25Superman.jpg


May25Birdsnest2.jpg
 
I think a tripod will help you a lot with the blur

in all honesty, dont get a cheap tripod, I made that mistake and its not really worth it, IMO

what f stop were you using in A mode?
 
Those are some good pictures! Nice start.

For coral shots, I always use a tripod, ISO 100, apperture priority mode, turn off all the pumps, and a remote shutter (to reduce camera shake).
 
Re: Tagging along...

Re: Tagging along...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12610379#post12610379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
Recommendations for a good ball-type tripod?

LL
Click to expand...


You can get a decent aluminum Manfrotto for around $120. Tripods can be lightweight, stable and low cost. The problem is that you can only pick two of those at a time. i.e. If it's light and cheap it's likely not very stable.
 
Re: Re: Tagging along...

Re: Re: Tagging along...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12610594#post12610594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
You can get a decent aluminum Manfrotto for around $120. Tripods can be lightweight, stable and low cost. The problem is that you can only pick two of those at a time. i.e. If it's light and cheap it's likely not very stable.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the lead - I just checked their website...

LL
 
Velbon and Slik both make decent lower end tripod as well. Avoid Induro and Benro. They're poorly made knock-offs.
 
It looks like they're selling Dynatran, which is another cheap knock-off. Sorry I don't have direct experience with them
 
Re: Re: Tagging along...

Re: Re: Tagging along...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12610594#post12610594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
You can get a decent aluminum Manfrotto for around $120. Tripods can be lightweight, stable and low cost. The problem is that you can only pick two of those at a time. i.e. If it's light and cheap it's likely not very stable.
Click to expand...

Got any suggestions for a stable, low cost brick then? :P
 
If you are shooting individual subjects, change the metering mode to spot metering. This will calculate the exposure properly for the subject that you choose.
 
Hey InLimbo87,

Nice shots. What file format are you shooting in?

I agree with Beerguy on manfrotto. I have a 190pro and it's brilliant. i do a lot of wildlife and landscape photography as well, so it is very versatile. if you can afford one like manfrotto, velbon or slik you wont regret it.

great eye focus. this is key and you've got it in these photos spot on!

I think you can crop these pictures more tightly to the subject especially the corals. the last photo is a bit distracting with the zoo's in the right hand side

Watch your background too. the pic of the cardinal side on gets lost a little because the background is very busy. a shallow DOF will fix this a little by bluring the background out (DOF will depend on the lens though)


These are really nice photo's. got anymore?

Depp
 
Thanks for all the input BDepp, I like the pics much better cropped.

What photo editing software are you using? I have photoshop 7, and haven't toyed with it much. Is there a simple way to do the borders like that?
 
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