How to use Nikon D3100 for beginners?
It was my birthday yesterday (turned 13) and mum gave me a Nikon d3100 photography camera!
I've got no IDEA how to use the thing - but its awesome! I've read the instructions but I've got no freakin clue what they mean (my parents don't either) is there any proper youtube videos on how to use them - for dummies!) please help thanks
For now just use the camera in the Program mode until you can at least learn how to use the cameras light meter.
I suggest you go out and buy a couple of books.
I have a Magic Lantern guide for my D40 and it explains everything clearly
http://www.amazon.com/...454701269/
another one would be something like "understanding exposure"
http://www.amazon.com/...817439390/
I don't have it, but some of my friends do, and they definitely stand by it. You can also check out the reviews.
Learn to use your camera in manual mode. You will open up worlds of possibilities that are not at all possible with auto mode.
perhaps something you might want to consider would be enrolling in a DSLR class or workshop
also, happy birthday
Your camera has a guide mode, so I would suggest using that to figure out your way around some things:
When I got my DSLR I was in you boat, the way I learned was by watching lots of YouTube videos on subjects like expeoure and composition.
Turn your camera to modes like shutter priorty and aperture priorty and start changing the values and seeing what happens, learn from this.
Good luck with your camera, remember don't be confined to auto mode, experiment with different shutter speeds, aperture values, ISO values and focal lengths.