Hey i just got a Nikon D40 to start getting into High level photography....i have a 18-55mm lense then also a 55-200mm lense. it is very adjustbale and i have been using the point and shoot mode alot. but i want to be able to take pics that look professional. i have been playing with shutter speed and aperture but i cant seem to figure it out. the best pic i have so far is this and it is a night shot.




Im not looking to take night pics like that im looking to take very clear and basically magazine quality pics.

 

I dont know alot but some of the things I go by are, keeping the camera as still as you can. Maybe a tripod or if you doing low shots stack a few books or what ever you gota do to keep the shot from being shaky. For night pics just find one of those parking lots with the bright lights and play with the angle until you have what you want and slow the shutter speed down some. Heres my best night pic but this is nothing compared to some I have seen on here. Oh and no flash!

 

Aperture is the hole the light comes through. It is measured by Fstops. It determines the focal length. The smaller the number, the larger the hole. The smaller the number, the shallower the depth of field. It also lets in more light. So the smaller the number, the brighter the picture,

The shutter speed is the amount of time the shutter is open. The lower the number, the longer it is open. The more light that is going to go in.

The ISO is akin to film speed. The higher the number, the more sensitive the CCD is to light. The higher it is the better you'll be able to capture motion.

The D40 has a light meter in it on Manual. When you are looking through the view finder its the thing that has a + . . 0 . . - You want to get that in the middle.

As far as taking Professional pictures you'll need more than just a working knowledge of the camera. I would suggest taking a few classes at your local CC.

 

Well understanding how aperture (f stop) effects shutter speed/depth of field, and vice versa is really key.

http://photo.net/learn/making-photographs/exposure

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tu...exposure.shtml


Trial and error is really the best teacher when it comes to photography in my opinion.

Get out there and take pictures. It's a learning process, and a developmental skill.

Some tips:

1. Buy a good tripod. You don't want a $20 tripod from walmart holding up $1,500 worth of camera/lens.
2. Never use compressed air to clean your censor.
3. Change lenses with the camera pointed down to avoid dust getting inside.
4. In the winter, keep spare batteries in your pants pocket. Keeping them warm will prolong their life.
5. Learn from other work/photographers you admire.

 

First off congrats on the new camera! I have the same one and I love it. I have taken alot of sweet night pics by setting the camera with the flash off on the camera and then just changing the ISO alot, testing on different settings. Your camera may take a while to "develop" the picture but give it time, it is just taking everything in. Also, tripods are your best friend! If you have any questions, let me know. I have quite a few pics I can show you too so just let me know.

Here are a few pics that I took the first night I had the D40. The first pic was in decent lighting and the last two were taken in very low lighting. I need a filter to help cut down on the reflections.



This is another members car (BoostnO7) that I took some pics of


Mike