Getting started in Photography as a hobby?
My wife and I received a Nikon D5000 camera.
I always have been curious about photography and seeing some friends photos, the hobby looks fun. I love the outdoors and love taking pictures. We live on Long Island, NY so we live close the ocean and the city. I think I want to photograph crowds, buildings and I do not know what else.
I do not know where to begin. I have only used point and shoots before.
Can anybody suggest some good starting points and other ideas to begin?
Added (1). BTW, I asked this question in the camera section also. I was not sure which was the correct area so I posted in both.
I love this series of web postings. A great primer in bite sized pieces.
Learning to take control of the camera so you MAKE photos instead of letting the camera TAKE photos usually ends up with the user enjoying photography for their lifetime. When you see what you can do when you tell the camera what you need it to do, you begin to love photography. I have recommended the book over and over and over and I'll do it again here. "Understanding Exposure" will give you the knowledge you need to unlock the potential in your new camera. It's very easy to understand and makes it easy for the reader to learn. Don't leave that great tool stuck in Auto.
I suggest getting hold of a copy of Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure & reading it in conjunction with your owner's manual for the camera.
You & your wife might like to also see if there's any local photography or camera clubs you could join as I'm sure they'd be happy to share tips & techniques & its handy to be able to 'pick their brains' if you get stuck.
The D5000 has an Auto mode so can be used very much like a point & shoot, however, this will produce 'average' images. Where the creativity comes in is when you switch over to manual control & begin to MAKE pictures, rather than relying on settings the camera THINKS you should be using.
Here is an excellent book that will not only teach you the why of things, but shows you how to apply the knowledge to get great photos!
You will have a lot of to study, and will have nice picture done.