Thursday, January 2, 2014

My Christmas Surprise

So my sweet husband pulled out all the stops this Christmas and got me a super special surprise for Christmas.  A Nikon D3200!!!!  Oh, my goodness, oh my goodness!!!!

  
We didn't get a picture of me opening the gift so I have done my best to recreate the facial expression I had at the moment I saw my new camera. It was a pretty even mix of shock and joy.   It looked a little like this :)   And that was followed quickly by tears, what can I say, I am a crier ;)


So here's the thing.  I have no idea what I am doing, but I am so eager to learn!!!  I am just so excited, I know the possibilities are endless (heck, the buttons on the camera seem endless :)  So I have a question for you??


Where do I start???   Do you know any fabulous websites that go over some of the basics of using a camera like this??  I am very much a visual learner and ya, the manual is pretty much going over my head.  Is there a fantastic Craftsy video you might have taken that walked you through how to use one of these??   I am a blank slate here so please, please, fill me up with your suggestions :)
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32 comments:

  1. What a wonderful surprise for Christmas. I have a camera that my BIL gave me, still trying to figure it all out. He did give me a book to learn from and it has nice visuals and easy to follow and just checked, he has one for your camera too. Well worth getting since I am bad with learning things myself, now i just need to read it, lol. It is broken up by chapters for each feature, so you can start with the ones you want to learn.
    He also has videos, so do a search on his name, David Busch.

    http://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-Nikon-Digital-Photography/dp/1435456319

    Debbie

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  2. http://beginnersphotographyblog.com/ Seriously, Ingrid's blog and her classes are amazing! That's where I got my start when I purchased my first DSLR.

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  3. Fabby present and I love the re-enactment ... made me giggle!
    I haven't any websites to recommend but just a tip from one who borrows DH's DSLR and doesn't look after it properly ...take care of the lens (apparently they are VERY expensive - who knew?!), always replace the lens cap and do NOT (like ever!) leave it on the floor after taking photos of your latest creation :D

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  4. Lucky you! My husband surprised me the same way with the 3100 two years ago. It has been fun, but a pretty steep learning curve with when I have to share the practice time between my other favorite machine (sewing!). A wonderful online, self-paced series for visual learners, that has given me a lot of insight, is Shoot Fly Shoot. Maybe they would help you as well? Have fun!

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  5. #1: The lens hood, that everyone throws back in the box as useless...PUT IN ON! It not only reduces lens flare (bad reflections) but it will also protect your lens.....

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  6. My husband uses this one: www.dpreview.com He says it's for all cameras. Hope that helps.

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  7. Where your husband bought the Camera should have classes you can take. Unless it was bought online. But maybe a local camera shop in your area might have one for your specific camera. If not they may know somewhere to go or some have some good Website ideas.

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  8. Way to hit one out of the park, Mr. Corry!!! I am very happy for you, Melissa! Have fun with your new camara!

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  9. Try the David Busch guide. They have one for your specific camera. Well done Jake!!

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  10. I know there's a great photography class on Craftsy which I've signed up for (but haven't watched yet!) I'm still learning how to use mine, too. Great idea to ask everyone for help. I think I'll follow some of those links myself :-)

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  11. My husband and I got our first DSLR last year and I have to admit, I still need to learn how to do most things with it! I know I'm not taking advantage of anywhere near everything it can do! Enjoy your new toy!

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  12. You're gonna love it! I got the Nikon 3100 last year and have really enjoyed it. I bought a 35mm lens for micro shots and use it a lot for quilting/sewing photos.

    My all time favorite learning tool for this camera has been Lynda.com. They offer so many classes on so many subjects!! Ben Long is my favorite camera teacher on their platform. You pay for a subscription, but I found it to be well worth the cost. I have used that site for Adope Photoshop and Illustrator classes as well.

    I've taken the photography class on Craftsy that ChristaQuilts mentions above. It is good, but not as in depth as Ben Long's classes. He doesn't overwhelm you with technicalities either.
    Have fun!
    Ramona

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  13. You will love this!! We have the Nikon D3000 with the big lense for outdoors. It takes the best pictures!!

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  14. I also got a Nikon 3200 from my husband for Christmas. I need to learn how to use it too!

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  15. What a fun gift. Enjoy! Can't wait to see all the pictures you take.

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  16. I got a Canon SX40HS from my hubby just over a year ago so I know the kind of expression you mean. LOLLL As for help I'm usless. I learn as I go along alot of trial and error. I know you're going to love playing with your new camera and will produce some beautiful shots.

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  17. Hi Melissa! That is so exciting about your new camera! I have a nikon d5000 and love it! I was fortunate enough to take a college photography class and so I knew how to work my camera when I got it. There are so many free tutorials and workshops online now that you will figure it out in no time! I will give you this advice though--the most important thing in my opinion is lighting! Even if you do know how to use your camera, if your lighting is bad, then your pictures are not going to be that great! So be sure to learn all you can about lighting! I look forward to seeing all the great photos your are going to take! :) Happy New Year!

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  18. Woohoo!! I'm so excited for you!! It took a while for me to figure out my DSLR, but has been SO WORTH it. Just keep practicing and playing with it, but taking a class will help so much. I took one a while ago, but I feel like I still have a lot to learn. I'm glad for the suggestions above too!

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  19. Craftsy has some really great classes

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  20. I got a new DSLR for Christmas too, and I need to start learning about it, so I stop using it as just a point and shoot. Before I got it, I went to a website called thegreatcourses.com and started watching their course, the Fundamentals of Photography. It wasn't the most captivating thing I've ever watched, but it was helpful for explaining the basics. I want to go back and watch it and do the homework now that I have my camera. If you go that route, definitely don't pay full price. The company deeply discounts courses all the time, so sign up for their newsletter and order when it goes on sale. Plum and June have also been running monthly quilt photography link ups on the blog; I haven't had time to look through all the contributions, but I want to: http://plumandjune.blogspot.com/p/the-quilt-photography-workshop.html

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  21. Hope you have fun with it, even if it is a Nikon ;o) (Here's your first heads up, there's a healthy rivalry between Canon and Nikon users, guess which one I am? :oD )

    Seriously, I suppose the question is, what exactly do you want to learn? In 'green box'/auto mode, you can pretty much point and shoot, but what would you like to get out of it? If you can answer that, then I can probably help you a bit more :o)

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  22. How awesome!!! You'll have it mastered in no time at all.

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  23. How exciting!! Craftsy has a product photography class and I have heard some good things about it! Shoot It: Product Photography Class

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  25. Agh! I've become a bit of a photography nut as of late so it am feeling you!!! I also own a Nikon DSLR and recommend getting to know your camera through your kit lens (is it the 18-55 or the new 18-140?) and then invest in the 35mm 1.8 which is an amazing lens for Nikon DX range cameras! To get your feet wet I would also browse some articles at the digital photography school or DPS online, just google it. Not a holy grail but a good (free) place to start learning the lingo and seeking out specific topics like "portraiture" etc.

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  26. Your "surprise" photo was so great! Just know you will have fun figuring it out! I take pics from my phone so am of no help but looks like you have info to get you started!

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  27. When I treated myself to my new camera, I signed up for a continuing ed class at the local junior college. It was great! My instructor also taught the regular college classes. It was the same curriculum and instructor at a fraction of the cost! Time for me to sign up for another one.😊

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  28. I love the online workshops at http://BigPictureClasses.com. Elisha Snow is a great photography teacher and I've taken two of her classes: Mastering Manual Mode and Get Great Photos with any Camera. You can also check out Pinterest for Photography boards. I have one and I refer to it all of the time! Good luck!
    Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

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  29. You lucky lady! I have this camera and I'm starting a photo challenge on my blog to help me learn to use it better. Have a look, maybe you could join me: http://tadpegs.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/photo-friday-challenge.html?m=1

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  30. The book Understanding Exposure is a good one to get you understanding some of the basics and get you off of automatic. Have fun!

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  31. simplybphotos.com....Amy is a professional photographer and a fantastic teacher. I think she's got a workshop planned for St. George in the near future.

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  32. Great surprise isn't it! My husband surprised me with a new sewing machine. My face looked like yours too, and then a few tears welled as well. He says his favourite part of Christmas was my face when opening the present :-)

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Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa