First play with new camera, flower close ups :o)

I LOVE my new camera

Below are the results of it`s first outing, just using auto settings to get the feel of the balance/weight/using the eye piece instead of back screen
So snaps really for the practice and working a bit on composition as well until I`ve found my way around it enough to try my own settings instead of auto
I love the difference in clarity already compared to my compact, I`ve gone from total camera technophobe to relishing really getting stuck in and putting the camera and myself through our paces as I become more familiar with it


As always tips and comments welcomed to help me keep improving, I hope you like this selection from my first ever go with my Nikon D40 and thanks for looking

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Fantastic first few shots Patch! What a difference in clarity eh?! Bet you are chuffed to bits!!

Love how you have composed 5 n 7 - well done!!

Nice shots patch - what did you get ?

Glad to hear you're "relishing really getting stuck in"

Thank you both

Azz, chuffed does`nt come close, I`m ecstatic to have this camera

Phil it`s the Nikon D40 this thread explains how come I have it

I obviously missed that thread.

Look forward to more shots now then !

I`m determined to get some non-agility shots eventually like the fab action shots you get of your scrumptious canine crew so `watch this space` as the saying goes

These are very nice Patch Its nice to see you experimenting with the new cam!!

One of the biggest tips i can pass onto you, is to avoid using the camera flash where possible. Its handy for a snap that you dont wont to miss, but other than that, it has very little creative merit. The flash is very harsh and tends to create hard shadows and flat lighting If its your only alternative, look at investing in a mini diffuser, especially designed for pop up flashes. Or, cover the flash with some tissue paper - anything to diffuse the light. You will find in doing so, your lighting will be more flattering to the subject and the shadows lighter and lest defined (softer)

I'm curious Patch if Nikon gave you the new VR versions of the 18-55mm & 55-200mm zoom lenses? A co-worker just got a D60 with both the lenses being the newer VR lenses.

I like your first attempts at close-up photography using the D40. Try setting the ISO to 400 and you may be able to skip the flash as KK suggested. Good job!

Thank you

I do have an excuse re the flash - I had`nt got to the bit in the manual for how to change the ISO
Also it was dark when I took them, and on Auto, so the camera decided the flash was needed so up it popped - surprised the heck out of me when it did that I can tell you

I have taken a close up in daylight now which I quite like [ below ] - the colour is a bit insipid but that`s the colour of the bud so not a lot I can do about that so the shot is more for me to practice getting the sharp close-up with the soft background. I am finding for slow shutter speeds that my arm disability is a bit problematic as it means my hand has a mind of it`s own for little tremors so I`m getting two tripods, a normal three legged telescopic type and a Neck tripod which I think will help tremendously for how my stoopid arm misbehaves sometimes.



All help to get better close ups welcomed pretty please