If you kept up with my Myspace blog you know that I decided to make a serious entry into the digital photography world, and replaced my old Pentax 35mm SLR that perished in Katrina with a brand-spankin’-new Nikon D50 digital SLR. This camera, while it doesn’t have the megapixel superiority of the Canon Rebel EOS, quite frankly, ROCKS. Most of the photos you wil see here (except for the photos in the previous entry – they were from my Fuji FinePix) are the product of the Nikon. I LOVE this camera.Â
The camera came with a couple of stock lenses, which, being Nikon, are still very, very good. I have an 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 and a 55-200mm f4-5.6 telephoto. I have gotten great pics out of both.Â
Wednesday night I made the mistake of attending an actual Nikon digital photography class. While helpful, these classes do have the unfortunate side benefit of breeding discontent and envy. In my case, it isn’t unmanageable discontent and envy – I don’t really feel the need to run out and buy a fisheye lens, a super-duper 400mm telephoto or (right now) a serious wide-angle.
But I decided there were two things I really, really must have. So today, I bought this:
For the non-photography-crazies out there, it is, obviously, a camera lens. If you know a little something about it, it’s a Nikon Nikkor 50mm f1.8. Not as expensive as the 50mm f1.4 – you can get this one for about $120 or so. But, it has 3-5 times the light gathering capacity of my 18-55mm, which translates to faster shutter speeds and lower light capabilities, and less time needing a tripod. Nice for both action photography and portraiture with a little mood lighting – a real workhorse lens.
The next thing on the wishlist for later (can’t really justify the money right now) is this:
 The camera has a popup flash, but it’s a pretty direct flash with an effective range of about twelve feet. This flash can be rotated to “bounce” the flash off the ceiling or walls. The light is a little less harsh that way. You can also bounce it off of colored posterboard to add a little color to the light for effects or to correct ambient light. Good times, good times… The pennies have started dropping into the rainy day fund.
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It’s almost time to spend a little money on some accessories for Bambi’s camera as well. I was thinking of a nice telephoto lens or a better flash.
I really should spend some time learning some photography as the pictures I take tend to turn out flat.
The “flat” look generally comes about from two things – from overexposure (aperture too wide) – and if you have a point-and-shoot digital, from the tendancy for the camera to bring the background and foreground into the same focus. Most good digital slr’s will have a portrait mode which will automatically drop the focus on the background a bit – provided that you compose your subject to sufficiently fill the frame. Most folks just don’t “fill” the frame well.
You can also force the camera to underexpose a bit and that will help. Also try “fill flashing” – use the flash even in daylight. That will fill in any harsh shadowed area, giving softer gradients and a more 3-D feel.
I know her’s has a portrait mode, so I may try shooting a few shots with that mode turned on.
Thanks!