Most basic things about Nikon D3100?
I recently got a Nikon D3100. I know how to adjust shutter speed and aperture, but what else should I learn how to do to take better pictures?
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Good pictures result from the following things in descending priority.
Subject > composition > lighting > photographic technique > lens > camera.
Subject:
It should be something that is interesting. After all, if it isn't, then why are you taking the picture. Snapshots are important to us personally, but unless they are of something extraordinary or unexpected, don't expect them to be interesting to anybody else. A poorly composed, poorly lit picture with a cellphone camera of a really amazing thing will get more attention than the most technically perfect picture of something boring.
Composition:
If you are looking at making a photograph into art or pleasing to look at, it needs to be composed properly. Traditionally this is by allowing 'white space' around the frame and placing major objects at thirds in the frame and of course making sure the shot is level. But sometimes we want to have 'poor' composition to create a desired effect. The point is, don't just point and shoot, move around and try to capture what looks the best.
Lighting:
Light is the essence of photography. There's no 'right' amount of light as we might want too little or too much to create high or low key photographs. We might want even light so we can see all of the subject very easily or contrast it with shadows to create depth. But we do not want to be struggling to view the subject though underexposure or noise from inadequate lighting, nor do we want things bathed in directional flash light with the background off white balance because it is unlit like so many party snapshots. Fast lenses and good flashes help as well as choosing locations and times of day to photograph.
Photographic technique:
You are getting there by going away from fully automatic modes. With shutter speeds, we're looking to freeze or blur motion; with apertures, we're looking to sharpen or decrease depth of field. Almost all of my creative shooting is done in either Aperture or Shutter priority to control those effects. Zoom is not so much for 'getting it all in' or 'getting closer' as it is for controlling composition and perspective. Try photographing a subject by getting very close at wide angle, then backing away and zooming in to see the difference.
Lenses:
Because Nikon is the largest manufacturer of optics in the world, and they want you to buy their lenses, the kit lens that came with your camera is excellent in optical quality. It is not a fast lens (large aperture), nor is it very wide angle or telephoto. Also, being a zoom it is compromised slightly at different focal lengths. Serious photographers will assemble a series of aftermarket lenses that cater to their needs and budgets.
Camera: You've already got a great camera. More expensive cameras don't take better pictures, they just make taking better pictures easier if you are doing it on a time frame and doing it all the time.
Http://www.illustratedphotography.com/basic-photography
http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules