Learning My Nikon D90: Aperture or Shutter Priority?

Mar 24, 2010 :: {8}

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So I’ve had my DSLR camera (Nikon D90) since December and am really just NOW getting to use it. The weather is getting nicer here, so I now have more opportunities to get outside and practice shooting with it. I have ONLY ever used Auto Mode, so venturing away from that is what my goal is.

Lucky you…you get to see all my learning-photos along the way here.

This is one of many quick photos I took this past sunny weekend of the iTwins.

I love it, of course because it is of BOTH of my children (getting them in the same photo these days is a tough job), but there are many things wrong with this photo. It has been edited with a decrease in exposure, added contrast and a few touches of the burn tool, cropped and colors have been adjusted. Phew!

Here it is SOOC (Straight Out Of the Camera).

The problems

There are more than a few elements technically wrong with this photo, but right off the bat, I know these two are the most problematic for me here.

1. The composition is off…had I aimed a few more inches to the right my son would have an arm. I do like how his arm that is raised nicely silhouettes Pinkie in the background.

2. It’s WAYYYYYY overexposed. I’m having major issues with deciding when to use Aperture or Shutter Priority Modes….and then once I’m there, how to adjust each to get the proper exposure, effect and shutter speed.

The photo was shot in Aperture Priority Mode with an ISO of 3200 at 1/1600 and F9. Soooo wrong, I know.

But, I’m learning.

Digital Photography School

I found this great blog that I have subscribed to: Digital Photography School and there is an excellent article on Aperture and Shutter Priority Modes.

Just reading this article a few times, I know that because I wanted to capture movement of my children, I should have used Shutter Priority Mode. Granted, I probably would not have had the cool effect of Pinkie being a bit blurred in the background then, so that’s why I guess I need to figure this out.

Then there is the issue of exposure in each mode. If it is a bright sunny day, as it was — then where do I go with the dial?

Spill it!

Obviously I have a ton to learn, so I’m hoping some of you can give me some pointers…and if you are learning like I am, maybe you can come back and read the tips and tricks posted here (hopefully) in comments :)

Many of you guys out there take amazing photos, so I’m looking forward to your advice, critiques and pointers :)

This post is filed under: Learning DSLR with my Nikon D90, how to

Tags: aperture, apture priority mode, apture vs shutter, auto mode, bright sunny day, composition, D90, digital photography school, dslr camera, f9, how to, learning dslr, modes, Nikon, nikon d90, Photography, photos, pointers, proper exposure, shutter priority, shutter priority mode, shutter speed

8 Responses to “Learning My Nikon D90: Aperture or Shutter Priority?”

5

Teri says:

March 27, 2010 at 4:18 pm

Yeah, I got nothing. I like to take pictures but I understand very little of it! I have got some great pointers from Manic Mother’s Bloggography series though.

I how you edited the first one – the color just pops!

Enjoy experimenting. It’s fun! :)
Teri´s last blog ..one year
Twitter: mightymfamily

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4

amanda says:

March 25, 2010 at 9:21 am

thanks for sharing the links to the digital school! i got a d90 last year for my birthday and STILL am trying to figure it all out!!

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3

Candace says:

March 25, 2010 at 12:06 am

Switch to manual girl…I have ever since I started my class (which was days after I got my d90) and I haven’t gone back. If you MUST use a program mode , use the sports scene mode for action shots.

Outdoors in full sun turn the iso down and the shutter speed up to catch the action. If its overcast you can do 400 ISO, f/5.6 aperture and a shutter speed of 1/125 and you should get a decent shot.

HTH!
Candace´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Peek-A-Boo!

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- 3.1
  
  mamajoss says:
  
  March 25, 2010 at 11:19 am
  
  Thanks girl! You know, I think I might be hung up on the actual settings/options in the menu — things don’t seem to be clicking properly — I need to learn how to actually SET everything up…there are all these AUTO ISO options etc. and I don’t know where it all should be set….ugh…where did you take classes?
  Twitter: myitwins
  
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2

Mindy says:

March 24, 2010 at 11:45 am

Hmmmm… have you thought about just shooting regular MANUAL? This way you get to control everything and you wont get pics using and ISO of 3200 unless you want to. ;) Manual mode really isn’t as difficult as some people think. When I first started I thought I would never get it but it was MUCH easier than I thought. Feel free to email me if you have questions.
Do you know what your meter is and do you know how to read it?
Mindy´s last blog ..Let there be light….!

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  mamajoss says:
  
  March 24, 2010 at 11:55 am
  
  Oh you are so right – I think I will have more options with Manual Mode (exposure etc.) – that’s exactly what I need to do! I do not know how to read the meter or how that functions. Thank you for helping me out :)
  Twitter: myitwins
  
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1

Lolli says:

March 24, 2010 at 11:38 am

You should start following along with our Bloggography tutorials! (http://betterinbulk.net/category/tutorials) They would be perfect for you! The first thing I would recommend is to turn your ISO way down when you’re outside. It looks like a sunny day–I would use 100 or 200. The great thing is, you are trying–it will click soon! I promise. :)
Lolli´s last blog ..When Kids Pick The Neighbors’ Flowers
Twitter: 1momof5

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  mamajoss says:
  
  March 24, 2010 at 11:56 am
  
  great tutorial — it makes so much sense and I feel better already :)
  Twitter: myitwins
  
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