File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
I bought a D40 because I wanted to get into photography. During my first week with it I took a lot of pictures. Only a few of those would I ever even think of considering close to being 'decent'.

Problem is, I lack motivation in life and my hobbies are no exception.

Does anyone have any good exercises to suggest I try out? Or even some general 'everyone sucks at first' will basically help me out here.

Thanks.
>> Anonymous
everyone sucks at first.

Just look at what you consider to be good photography, or art, even, and try to emulate it, until you reach a style of your own.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Here's something horrible I did.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D40Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS MacintoshMaximum Lens Aperturef/5.3Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern834Focal Length (35mm Equiv)67 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2007:01:12 00:49:53Exposure Time1/200 secF-Numberf/7.1Exposure ProgramNot DefinedISO Speed Rating200Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length45.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width750Image Height516RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Anonymous
Ya everyone sucks at first, Also heres a few tricks i learned
Set exposure comp to -0.3 (easier to brighten than to darken) Don't take pics of the sky unless its amazing, Get close to what your taking pics of. Use that 18mm end of the lens to show distances.

Always think of what is going to be in the background, And try to keep the subject interesting.
Contrary to popular belief, Some things aren't worth photographing, Landscapes are hard because you need good light, People shots are always interesting. And if it looks too small in the viewfinder don't bother taking a pic.

I recommend going to a website that has a photography contest a week or something, And trying to follow the rules (maybe not submit any pics, but it will get you thinking)

www.nikoncafe.com is a good site for that, lots of good photographers, especially for animals and macro shots.
>> elf_man !fBgo7jDjms
That's one thing you'll learn quick, most shots, even ones you thought you liked when you were taking them, will turn out bad. Not even worth salvaging. Play with them in post to learn what you can, then delete, or maybe hold onto as an example. Be as self-critical as you possibly can, and if you save two shots out of fifty be happy. Best thing you can do is learn to just enjoy the process of shooting and not get hung up on if the shots turn out. And important: pay attention to what you're doing. If you miss something, figure out why.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>58995
QFT. I believe Adams once said that if he got 12 keepers in a year, it was a pretty good year.

(Granted, Adams shot most of his stuff with a view camera, so 12fpy was about the max speed on it. I wonder what he'd have done with a 3fps digital he could spray-and-pray with. Probably would've produced shit)
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>58939
>Set exposure comp to -0.3 (easier to brighten than to darken)
This is pretty much the opposite advice generally given. You'll lose shadow detail by doing this for no real effective gain of information in the highlights (unless your -1/3 just keeps the highlights from getting blown, in which case it's fine advice)

Luminous Landscape explains it better than I'm likely to.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/expose-right.shtml
>> Anonymous
>>58996
lol fpy

my advice is to read lots and lots (the internets have lots of photo sites) and take your camera wherever you go.
>> elf_man !fBgo7jDjms
>>58997
It's for the highlights. Definitely necessary for the d40. In manual I usually have it at least two thirds of a stop underexposed, based on the meter.
>> Anonymous
The good thing is I read a lot of photography instructional books because I work at a book store.

Also, from what I've seen, the instrutional books based specifically around the features of various Nikon and Canon cameras seem to be a really good way of learning how to use a camera as they teach you how to do everything for your camera. If anyone's wondering, the one for the D40 comes out in September.
>> Anonymous
I just got a D40 myself, great advice.
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
Shooting JPEG and RAW are two completely different worlds. In RAW, you overexpose in order to get shadow detail, then pull it back. In JPEG, you underexpose so you don't blow out the highlights, then push it up to whatever brightness you want.

A few beginning photo tips that came in handy for me:
Get close. Then get closer. ~Robert Capa
Shit on your desk is not interesting. Leave your room, take pictures of people. ~ /p/
Use Velvia! ~Liska (for another compelling reason to use Velvia, check out flickr.com/photos/moaan)
Don't be afraid to take pictures of people, seriously. You will get a better reaction than you can imagine. Play the student card, say you're in a class, whatever it takes. But also, be respectful. If someone says no, then respect that decision of theirs. The picture probably isn't worth getting chased after.
Ruthlessly edit your work, be your own harshest critic, because you're not going to get any better from anyone else. ~me
>> Anonymous
1. The website AC linked to (The Luminous Landscape) is excellent.

2. Want a free way to look at thousands of frames shot by most of the world's best photographers?

http://www.magnumphotos.com

Search for something, and click around with the different tags on them.

3. Do you know the basics of exposure and manual control? If not, read the Wikipedia articles on "Exposure," "Aperture," "Depth of Field," "Shutter Speed," "Film Speed," "Metering Mode," and "Exposure value."

4. I'm not sure where to go for this- probably Wikipedia, again- but learn about the effects different focal lengths (amount of zoom, to simplify it) have on the image.

5. Heavyweather and Capa's advice is right on the mark.

6. Shoot RAW. Get Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

7. Enjoy it. I realized (once I read something where someone else said this) that I took my best photographs when I was just putzing around with the camera, and not all uber-hardcore or overthinking the artistic aspect of it.
>>58996
>12fpy was about the max speed on it.

I laughed so hard.
>> Anonymous
Now, would taking a digital photography class at my community college be worth it?

I'm considering getting into photojournalism if I can get a hang of this.
>> Anonymous
Also, is there anything it would be useful to have that didn't come with the D40 kit?
>> Anonymous
What comes in the D40 kit?
>> elf_man !fBgo7jDjms
D40 kit just has basics, i.e. battery charger, shoulder strap, and not much else.
A better shoulder strap is always a plus. Circular polarizer is one of the single most useful filters you can get. A tripod can be handy, although isn't exactly a necessity depending on what kind of shooting you like. Some basic cleaning supplies like a lens cloth would be good.
>> Anonymous
>>59190
What he said.

Also, look into a neutral density filter, graduated neutral density filter, possibly an external flash (I don't know how the pop-up on the D40 is), extra memory cards and batteries, and some cheap prime lens; I'd suggest a 28mm, since on the D40 it would be 42mm, which is a rather nice focal length.