I am so confused

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Hogbopper

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Robert
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Hello all i am very new to photography i am taking lessions well to be honest i have had one. I have a Nikon D80 is it normal to be so confused :bonk:
 
don't worry I've been taking photos for over 20 years and digital for 5/6 of those and am still confused - but not yet taken a photo of my face instead of the beach... but I may try that

welcome to the forum
 
Welcome to TP ... nice choice of camera, by the way :)

Confusion, frustration and bewilderment are all part and parcel of the learning process. You'll soon get the hang of it - just get out there and take pictures :thumbs:
 
Welcome to TP

I only popped in to see what was for sale that was six or so months ago. I seem to spend all my time here now and I have learned plenty.

Come for a quick look in here and stay forever it would seem :)
 
Welcome to TP! I tend to be confused with or without a camera in hand, so I'd say yes - it is normal. Confusion is good, makes you practice more so you can discover more things to be confused about.
Plenty of very helpful friendly people here, I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay!
 
The best advice I was given by some really helpful people on TP was to just snap away, snap away and snap some more...

I promise it WILL fall into place. I drove myself crazy at first and thought Oh what have i wasted my money on.

But now i'm loving it, I can't stop talking photography and even talked my brother in law into buying one.
Don't get stressed with it, love it
Rgds
p.s. pop some pictures on here and you will get some really good advice.
 
I'm always confused so to me it's normal :lol:
My advice is to read the manual and then go out and play. People here have helped me no end so don't be afraid to post an image or two and ask for pointers:thumbs:
 
First, welcome to tp, :) and second, you learn loads here, just by reading other peoples posts so dont forget to browse around. Maybe try a 52 thread, picture a week, thats a good way to get your started learning about your camera.

clicky
 
welcome to the forums, I'm sure you will find heaps of info here - its addictive, frustrating, confusing, but in the end very rewarding. The best advice I can give you when starting of is... read the manual. then read lots more :P it will all sink in eventually
 
What is it you are confused about? Take it one step at a time. Photography is NOT an exact science, it can be, but it doesn't have to be. It is what you want it to be.

It is actually very simple, but made complicated. In a nutshell:
light comes from a source (doesn't have to be the sun) and illuminates certain objects.
You capture the light illuminating the objects by directing it through th elens to your film or sensor.

That is it. That is all photography is.

Now, to complicate matters you have CHOICES. You can choose your viewpoint,
your lens,
your aperture and
your shutter speed.
But those are the only choices you have to worry about.

You need to balance a few of those choices, but that is the learning curve, you are simply learning to balance the elements. It won't come in a flash (ho, ho), you will need to work at it, and keep working at it and you will stillbe learning new tricks in 30 years time.

Enjoy the journey of enlightenment.
 
Confused is normal. :) Welcome to the club.
 
Welcome to TP

It does seem extremely complicated at first, actually it is not that simple :)

As Lensflare said, take it one step at a time.
If you are really confused and need a good shot - P on your camera and let it make the decisions. As you learn about different settings you will be able to take more & more control.

Enjoy it !
 
Welcome to TP, :wave:

confused? I'm still none the wiser, but the guys on here are (usually) full of good tips, post some of your own photos for c & c, that helps, it'll give you an idea if you're making mistakes and hopefully how to correct them

Merry xmas, :)
 
Hogbopper said:
Hello all i am very new to photography i am taking lessions well to be honest i have had one. I have a Nikon D80 is it normal to be so confused :bonk:
Click to expand...

When you get reasonably comfortable with the technical principles of photography you may like to consider buying the Lantern guide specific to your camera.
These guides are very good and cover everything in the camera manual, but also have loads of hints and tips.
 
Hi I am new too.

I bought all the magazines and read them from cover to cover a million times and thought i was getting to grips with what it was all about.

Then i got the camera and was even more confused than what i was BEFORE reading the mags.
So I took it by the scruff of the strap and got out there and shot shot shot.
Asked aloit of questions on here and read alot of posts on wht other people had asked then went out and shot shot shot. Still none the wiser as to what i am exactly doing but getting some pleasing shots in my mind.

I am saving the best and some of the worst so in a years time i can look back and say that i have improved.

Just get the camera and get out thee and practice, its fun its exciting and its bloody frustrating, but what hobby isent

spike
 
Hogbopper said:
Hello all i am very new to photography i am taking lessions well to be honest i have had one. I have a Nikon D80 is it normal to be so confused :bonk:
Click to expand...

welcome
photography can be confusing technically but if you have a good eye and study composition you will be quickly rewarded with good shots

basics need to be learned which cover all cameras so dont get too bogged down with the advanced menu of your gear

learn the relative settings for exposure and how aperture affects the amount of your picture in apparent focus....and whether you want that or not

i really think a newcomer to photography who wants to understand and be in control of results should be using his/her camera on manual settings..(not counting focus)...then you can do the necessary corrections...and keep notes on what you are doing
 
hi and welcome

when I bought my Nikon D40 - the manual was RUBBISH

goto Amazon and buy
Blue Crane inBrief guide for the Nikon D80

also I get a book a month from the library - good reading these winter nights

cheers
 
Yardbent said:
hi and welcome

when I bought my Nikon D40 - the manual was RUBBISH

goto Amazon and buy
Blue Crane inBrief guide for the Nikon D80

also I get a book a month from the library - good reading these winter nights

cheers
Click to expand...

Why don't manuals come ring bound so they lie flat open. With Nikon manuals you need 4 hands to hold the manual open and fiddle with the camera.
 
Hey, I'm a newbie too, i think it's the same for us all. I'm MORE confused now that i have a camera :P
 
Being fairly new to "proper" photography myself, I would offer the following advice for complete beginers:

1) Join the Talk Photography forums (well done, you've done that already)
2) Play around with the automatic modes first. As others have said, take lots and lots pictures. Don't try to jump in at the deep end.
3) Once you feel confident with your beast, venture into apeture priority mode next.
 
alexhcowley said:
Being fairly new to "proper" photography myself, I would offer the following advice for complete beginers:

1) Join the Talk Photography forums (well done, you've done that already)
2) Play around with the automatic modes first. As others have said, take lots and lots pictures. Don't try to jump in at the deep end.
3) Once you feel confident with your beast, venture into apeture priority mode next.
Click to expand...

my feelings on this are to use the...'advanced?' modes like manual
thats all we had with our vito B's and retinettes
one HAD to get down and understand it then...barring auto focus i think there is too much mamby pamby built in to the digi cam...for the best of intentions
mainly so the user doesnt have to learn!!! and so will buy

for the budding afficionado....go manual and damn well correct those mistakes

keep a diary or notes of your shots...soon you will be very comfortable and confident of your P setting as you can interpret with some knowledge
 
Yardbent said:
goto Amazon and buy
Blue Crane inBrief guide for the Nikon D80....
Click to expand...

also....."Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson was recommended

but some here didnt agree....:shrug:

ordered mine from Amazon .....so we'll see..
 
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