new camera...... need help with taking tank shots.

[macreefster]

i have the nikon d60 with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm zooms.

my first pics just seem so washed out and flat. heres an example using auto setting.

i tried aperature and shutter speed prefered with white balance on auto and while i like the colors and sharpness better, they seem too dark. here are some examples, any suggestions?

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Don't shoot a tank from the top at an angle. If something seems too dark use less shutter speed, more aperture, or more ISO.

 

[macreefster]

thanks surfer.....i'm sure whatever i am doing wrong is simple, but its been a long time since i've used a camera not in auto mode. i appreciate your help.

 

[Hookup]

First, nice tank!

Second, watch your DOF. You're shots have crisp focus on the rockwork, but not very much else, and even then only a small layer of it. You'll want to change the aperture to a higher number (smaller opening) and subsequently increase the ISO or/and Shutter Time ...

The other thing you can do is back up and crop down the image...

I use this link for DOF from time to time..
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

That is a great link. I want an iPhone just for it and Google Earth when I'm hiking. =)