Got a Nikon D3200 2 weeks ago. Still can't take a good photo on manual. Where do I start?
I have invested in books and watched some YouTube videos but I still don't feel like I fully know where to begin. Is there an order to set up for a decent photo, like set aperture first, then shutter speed, then iOS then white balance and shoot… Please someone put me out of my misery and help? I will not be defeated I'm prepared to put time into learning this.
For the first few months, just stick the Camera on Full Auto and let it do all the thinking and work for you.
Don't start playing with all the manual controls if you don't know how to use them.
Once you get used to Auto, try experimenting with Aperture Priority (Av) and Shutter Priority (Tv). Leave the ISO on a medium, say 400 which will do for most shots.
Leave White Balance on Auto and just change it when you are extreme conditions such as very bright sunlight or under indoor tungsten lights.
There's no shame is just using Auto for all your shots; they will be perfect 90% of the time.
Why don't you go for some workshop. There the guide can tell you what you are doing wrong and can clear your doubts as well.
Until you get the hang of it shoot in one of the auto modes.
Aperture priority is a good start - you set the aperture and the camera sets the appropriate shutter speed.
Experiment by taking shots of the same subject at different apertures to see the difference in depth of field. Watch how camera blur increases as you shut down the aperture and the camera slows down the shutter.
Join a local camera club and get some tuition.
In the meantime try this;
- keep the ISO low (100-200)
- if your goal is to freeze or blur motion then choose an appropriate shutter speed, then with reference to the light meter, adjust aperture to get the exposure you want.
- if your goal is to control depth of field then choose an appropriate aperture first, then adjust shutter speed to get the exposure you want.
If you are going to use manual mode, you need to use the internal light meter in your camera to check the exposure - every time. There's no guessing involved.
what you have everything else set at is not as crucial, as long as you have got the right exposure - you will get a photograph.
Read this: Understanding Exposure: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/...posure.htm
Read your user manual, it will tell you how to check the internal exposure meter in your camera.
Photographers don't always shoot in manual mode. You can use semi-automatic modes like Shutter and Aperture priority - especially if there's no time to set up a shot manually.