My first D40 Shots

[pboreham]

Hi all,

As some of you may now know, I am a total newbie to photography having got my first DSLR last Friday. Being a beautiful evening, I decided to get down the sea front and shoot my first proper shots.

Thanks to some great advice (as always) from you AVF people, I was ambitiously trying out some 'bokeh' too. To say I am thrilled with the results is an understatement!

I am going to get as many shots as I can on Flickr, but for the moment, here are some I'd like to share for your thoughts.

These were all taken with a Nikon D40 and the stock 18/55 lens. I am definately getting a better zoom lens though!

1.




2.




3.




4.

[julian_fraser]

Well done on your first outing.

As you can see the D40 is capable of producing great shots. #2 is the obvious one out of your first set but I like the landscape and the door too. I might just be really tired but the last one seems out of focus to me.

Isn't that bokeh great eh

[kBm]

Some good stuff there! Number 1&2 are quite strong. I think 2 could do well in B&W?

[pboreham]

Thanks - not so keen on the last one and not sure why I chose to upload it as we took far better

Pretty sure 1 was done using a sun filter - but it was my dads and neither of us were sure how to use it!

But yea, really pleased with the D40 and it was so enjoyable to take pictures as 'art' rather than just pointing and shooting - all of a sudden your eyes are opened and you scout EVERYTHING as a possible great image!

I'll get the rest on Flickr today and maybe drop some more on here

[johnaalex]

I can see why you're thrilled with these - I think they are very good especially for a first set

Originally Posted by pboreham

I am definately getting a better zoom lens though!

Then you'll want a better wide lens, and then, and then

[julian_fraser]

all of a sudden your eyes are opened and you scout EVERYTHING as a possible great image!

Ain't that the truth

[Steve N]

Really good first shots - Well done

[pboreham]

Originally Posted by kBm

Some good stuff there! Number 1&2 are quite strong. I think 2 could do well in B&W?

I tried 2 in B/W (using the brilliant editing tools on Flickr!) and it didnt look as good to me.

I look forward to the days though that I can see what shots will work well in different settings and tinker away in Photoshop (though my aim is to make shots as organic as possible).

[denno75uk]

A very nice first set.
The landscape has some lovely colours and tones. Not sure why, but I like the smoke on the horizon too.
I know I would have shot into the sunset with #2, but I'd have missed a trick. I love the way you have shot that one. Great composition, nice details and textures in the rope and rust, yet you still have the light/colour of the sunset. You obviously have the right mindset for this game.
The one of the shed is an ineresting angle, but I'm not always a fan of sepia.
#4 may work better if it was focussed and had a bit more contrast. Might be worth giving that one another go.

[pboreham]

Thanks James, I really appreciate that.

1 was the first image I took - as soon as we arrived, I saw the smoke, framed it up for a look and thought "wow, thats a nice contrast and *could* actually be anywhere" - looks a bit middle-eastern too?! Just think the smoke adds something really dramatic to an otherwise still (but nice) horizon.

But I must admit, the rope is a bit of a fave as its the first proper Bokeh I've done and it came out just as I wanted it. I love the muted purple hue of the rope and the textures as you say!

The door.... hmm... I know what you mean about Sepia and to be honest, I was just messing with the camera settings (as its new to me!) rather than trying to be artistic. I love the way the D40 saves a new version of any alterations made on the camera, so I still have the original.

Originally Posted by denno75uk

A very nice first set.
The landscape has some lovely colours and tones. Not sure why, but I like the smoke on the horizon too.
I know I would have shot into the sunset with #2, but I'd have missed a trick. I love the way you have shot that one. Great composition, nice details and textures in the rope and rust, yet you still have the light/colour of the sunset. You obviously have the right mindset for this game.
The one of the shed is an ineresting angle, but I'm not always a fan of sepia.
#4 may work better if it was focussed and had a bit more contrast. Might be worth giving that one another go.

[willykatie]

The first picture is really nice, well done

[connor1]

cracking 1st set. I, like you, have just ventured into the dslr world but havent had chance to get out and about. Can I ask which settings are you using. Have you just been using the set options that the camera offers or have you been tinkering. I like number 2 after reading your other thread about 'bokeh' you have clearly taken on board the advice.

[pboreham]

Originally Posted by connor1

cracking 1st set. I, like you, have just ventured into the dslr world but havent had chance to get out and about. Can I ask which settings are you using. Have you just been using the set options that the camera offers or have you been tinkering. I like number 2 after reading your other thread about 'bokeh' you have clearly taken on board the advice.

Cheers Connor - no, didnt use 'Auto' at all during yesterday. I mainly stayed in 'A' (Apperature) mode and sometimes 'P' though I am unsure what that does

But as I knew Bokeh is mainly A with a low F number and max zoom, then I stuck to that. I'm looking forward to learning more settings for different types of shots.

[julian_fraser]

I mainly stayed in 'A' (Apperature) mode and sometimes 'P' though I am unsure what that does

"P" for Program mode lets you choose white balance, iso, exposure, flash etc but the camera itself chooses the best aperture and shutter speed combination...That said you can still alter it's decision to choose different variations. It's a great "walkaround point-and-shoot" setting that still gives you a degree of control.

[mjw123]

Great results - shows nicely how perfect the D40 is a for a Beginners DSLR