How to take better pictures? - 1
I have a nikon D5100 that came with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G VR lense and I wanna know how to take better pictures? Whenever I take a picture it's usually blurry
I put it on the correct setting like if I'm taking a picture of a flower I'll put it on the flower setting. I adjust the focus ring and still comes out blurry?
So lets talk about camera technique
* Blur is always caused when the shooter attempts to hand hold the camera when shooting at shutter speeds lower than 1/250th second until they learn how to breathe, anchor the camera and lens using their eye, cheek and both hands and how to gently press the shutter release.
* Just putting a cameras mode to "flower" setting will NOT allow the shooter to get closer than the lens can physically focus. In this case, what you are calling "blurry" is actually out of focus or maybe both if the shutter speed is too slow.
You need to spend more time learning the fundamentals of photography.
Here is a link that will show you how to balance ISO, shutter speed and lens aperture
http://camerasim.com/apps/camera-simulator/
Your really, really need to learn how to use your camera in the manual mode (auto-focus not included necessarily). Those pre-programmed exposure modes on the entry level dSLR cameras are there so that a person used to using a P&S camera can start taking decent photos right out of the box, but there's NO substitute for learning how to use the camera without the "training" wheels such pre-programmed mode provide
If the image is out of focus in the viewfinder, it will be out of focus when you view it on your computers monitor, only to a greater extent.
If you are passionate about shooting macro shots, save your pennies and buy the Nikkor 40 mm f/2.8 lens, under $280. What you will learn using a macro lens is that you will use the manual focus to prefocus the subject and then make minor changes in focus by moving the camera toward and away from the subject and using the lenses aperture to pull more depth of field. This all takes practice and experience to pull off.
The bottom line is that you need to learn photography. By that I mean learning that basics of exposure, lighting and composition. Take a few courses and/or join a camera club.
When you've done that, you will not only know the answer to your question but you will get far more out of your camera than by using it on Auto modes.
Have you really read and studied the Owner's Manual for your camera? If not then its something you need to do. Pay especial attention to the sections on using Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual and how to use your camera's built-in light meter.
This video tutorial will also help you:
http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d5100/index.html Who better than Nikon to teach you about your Nikon DSLR? Again, pay attention to Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual modes and how to use your camera's built-in light meter.
This will also help you:
http://digital-photography-school.com/digital-photography-tips-for-beginners DPS also has beginner-level tutorials on Light, Composition, Exposure and Depth of Field. Look for them and study them. Sign up for the free e-newsletter.
Buying a DSLR is about 5% of photography. The other 95% is your willingness to study, learn and practice. There are no shortcuts unless all you do is leave your camera in AUTO and if you do that you wasted your money on a DSLR.