My First Dslr Photos

[FranVT]

So after doing an admittedly small amount of reading and not really absorbing much I decided to put on the 18-55 and take my new Nikon D5000 out for a spin this afternoon at the dog park.

Here's some photos I took. I'd love some feedback. These are unedited apart from cropping.

Edited May 20, 2010 by FranCQ

[gila]

Cute! Dogs with 'eyebrows' are the best!

One suggestion - try getting down to Luuka's level to take the photos.

[Kirislin]

congrats on your new camera. yes I agree with gila get down lower. Some aren't in focus but you should've seen how many I deleted today for the same reason. Have fun.

[FranVT]

I did have so much fun it was awesome! I will get down to her level - great advice!

What lens do you all find is best for taking shots of dogs? I might have to buy one. I have a Nikon Nikkor 18-55 VR and a Nikon Nikkor 55-200 VR.

[kja]

Looks like you're having a great time! And I agree with the others, get lower and watch your focus. Great start.

I wouldn't start adding lenses until you get totally comfortable with what you already have. Not only will your skills improve as you master your current rig, but you'll also develop a sense of what YOU like and what you are missing - then you'll know where to spend your dosh. There is no "best" lens for doggie shots.

I've shot my doglets with everything from a Tokina 10-17 fisheye to a 50 1.4 to a 100-400 zoom...and everything in between. It totally depends on the conditions you are shooting in and the look you want to achieve.

I'd guess you'll want to start with a prime in the 30, 50, or 85 range and something pretty fast, so a 1.8 or 1.4 maximum aperture. This range will give you lovely portraits, give you some more possibilities in lower light and help you achieve that often (but not always) desirable shallow depth of field/blurred background.

[FranVT]

Awesome! Thanks heaps kja.

Am I better off chucking the 55-200 on to learn as it has a greater range?

[Ravyk]

50mm 1.4 or 1.8 lens that what I've been using so far to take doggy photos.

nice photos me wants luuka!

[kja]

Use both - get to know their differences in handling, field of view, end product. Mix it up - use the one you don't automatically reach for sometimes. Force yourself to see things or approach things differently. Practice using different settings and see what happens.

But first and foremost, get comfortable nailing focus. IMHO it's the extremely rare photograph that will work without a good solid focus point.

[FranVT]

I used the articulating screen at first but I found I took better photos using the viewfinder. Is that normal?

[OMD²]

I like using the view finder thingy as well

[SchnauzerBoy]

+1 to getting down to their level

+1 to the Nikon 50mm 1.8 - for $140 you can't go wrong!

The 55-200 VR is great for when they are further away but you'll need good light to get a shutter speed of 100/sec or faster to stop the motion (with the VR on) and depending on your dogs' speed. I'd also suggest going to 1/500 sec to stop motion.

Also play with focus points and depth of field to get on the eyes etc when taking photos.

Once you have this, then start looking at P mode and S mode to start getting away from AUTO settings to improve the light in the eyes etc

Enjoy the camera, it is a great and fun learning curve