Okay, so I must be doing something wrong. My pictures came out horrible with the auto shoot mode.

This was my first attempt at using a DSLR.
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Nice pictures are not about having a nice camera, people can take amazing pictures with a simple point and shoot 2MP camera (MP are not everything BTW). Auto mode is usually never used by a experienced photographer. Good pictures are about lighting and knowing what your doing. Take time to get used to your camera, your not going to be able to just go snap amazing pics the second you pick up a camera. Learn how use the correct settings and it will net you better pictures. Also, if you dont already have a tripod get one, and a polarizer to cut down on reflections.

 

What ^^^ said.... the camera does not make the pictures... the photographer does... you do the work not the camera

 

just because you bought a dslr camera doesn't mean your pics will turn out great. auto mode will not deliver great looking pictures. this is something myself and numerous members here try to tell people that are looking for a dslr w/ no camera experience what-so-ever. you need to take account many variables when shooting. it's like picking up a sniper rifle. if you think you could simply pick up the rifle and get a head shot from 500 meters away w/out shooting a gun in your life you're sadly mistaken.

don't get discouraged and take lots of pictures to get some practice shots. learn about the different modes and shoot them with your camera. click this link to learn about your different settings you can adjust w/ your camera. it's really helpful. the great thing about digital photography is that you can take thousands of pictures and not have to pay for any of them. keep practicing and you will eventually get the hang of it.

 

read the manual. thats what i did with my simple camera and it made such a difference

 

when i bought my Nikon, it was when the D50s and D70s had been discontinued and replaced with the D40s and D80s. The D40 didnt impress me much, honestly, so i ended up shopping around to find one of the last D50s. I'm sure with some experience you'll do better with it, but i still think the D40 is pretty weak in the Nikon lineup.

 

As many have said its not about the Camera..I own a nikon D40 and I don't see that its very unimpressive at all...works well. Its all about your photo editing software and getting use to the settings. I always use manual mode...and since I have gotten a polarizer my pictures have turned out so much better. Just get use to the camera...fool around with the manual settings..remember the rule of thirds and try to take pictures without the sun glaring right in front of you always with the sun behind you. It takes time, but after some practice you will get it down pat.

 

^^^ I kinda felt like the D40 was watered down from the original D50. It was intended for the average Joe to pick up and snap easy shots. good starting camera for people trying to learn SLRs, though.

 

Check this thread, it helps explain some of the basics about settings: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/pictures-videos-64/photography-information-thread-work-progress-86560/

If it makes you feel any better, I've taken over 10,000 pictures with my camera and only consider maybe 2,500 acceptable, and less then 200 being stellar images. It takes ALOT of work, practice, experimenting, and reading. Photography is a very technical hobby, and pray & spray will only get you so far...

 

agreed. i already provided him w/ that same link to your thread.

were you lying down when you took the pic? why did you use the flash? a little advice, don't use your pop up flash in pictures. especially when it's day out.

 

Gabe, can you post the EXIF data for me?

 

i actually finished reviewing it right before i read this.

f/3.8
1/500 sec
iso-400
focal length 23mm
AWB