Your 3 top DSLR tips for a newbie

I have just bought a K200d with a 18 -250mm lens and I'm really impressed. I am new to DSLR and It's been years since I played with SLR's. I really want to get better quicker.
So I'm asking you for your 3 top tips for digital photography.
Looking forward to getting some good stuff

switch the camera to "M" mode.

Learn how to make a correct exposure first time. Then learn how to make a creatively correct exposure.

To assist you, read Bryan Peterson's books "Understanding Exposure" and "Learning To See Creatively".

I'd say -
1) use AP
2) shoot in raw
3) set up auto bracketing for 3 frames, +/1 0.5 stop. You can still shoot singles - just don't keep your finger on the trigger for long.

At the end of the day, its whose behind the lens that really matters and whether you have the eye for what makes a good shot special.


Steve

Try everything, take lots of pictures, always take the camera out with you.

Well you've already done one thing right - you've joined the forum! You will find lots of help here, either by browsing or asking direct questions. Don't be put off by some of the replies, we all mean well honestly.
Maybe you would like to inaugurate the just joined section and introduce yourself to the masses also?

As for my top tips -don't be afraid to play with your DSLR - it costs you nothing to mess up photos. Learn to read the EXIF data so you can work out where you went wrong (or right!).
Buy the books Peter suggests - they are very helpful. You may also like Scott Kelby's two books on digital photography - heavily Canikon based but still applicable to any DSLR.

Welcome to the forum Conexus, would you also fill in your location details when you have a mo.



Thanks

Just the one tip from me at the moment.

Before you delete a duff shot, take a moment to figure out what's wrong with it, and how you would avoid the same mistake in the future. So if the subject's blurred, think "was that me shaking, the subject moving, or is it out of focus?". Then figure out what you'd need to do next time (put it on a tripod, pick a higher shutter speed/ISO, make sure the focus point is correct).

If it's not as obvious as that, still take the time. It may be a nice view, but it just doesn't work for you. Is it that there's no real 'subject' to latch onto first? Is the background to busy? By looking at your rejects, you'll soon get the hang of how to avoid having so many!

You'll also find yourself doing all this in the field, rather than at your PC in the evening, and the result will be that you'll work through different compositions until you get the right shot. Keep analysing, keep whittling down your composition.

If I think of tips 2 and 3, I'll let you know.

Have fun (ooh, that can be tip 2! ), and welcome to the forum.

Dan

Thanks guys I think the duff shot is an easy one to start with (and that relates to exif as well) It's really easy to just press delete, ordered the books.
Not yet shot in RAW don't know why - just shy I guess nor tried auto bracketing and I've filled in the just joined section.

If you decide to go RAW (and I would recommend that), don't be disappointed by 'soft' shots. Sharpening should be done very careful when 'developing' the RAW image and the final sharpening only applied after post processing.

For me the possibilities to tinker around with shots until you get what you envisage when looking through the viewfinder (or until you arrive at something totally unexpected that you like) is the leap forward from the film era. I bet I would have loved tinkering in the real darkroom but I never had a chance. It does make a huge difference.

Prieni

I would use it as if it were an SLR..........Then move onwards and upwards with practice and experimentation!...thats 3 isn't it?.......all the best and good luck!....................Ken

Top tips for ANY sort of photography.

1) pick a photographer you admire and study their work in depth. Maybe even try to emulate their work.
2) Take plenty of images, even if you dont think it will work, if you never try it you'll never know.
3) Dont wait for the sunshine, get out in all weathers and repeat No2.

And if this makes you rich and famous I want 10%

just practice lots of photos and try each mode and see what you like i tend to use av.sv.tv and p and m.
p the most but depending on the situation and what im taking pics of i use different modes practice makes perfect.
and by the way good choice of camera and lens which lense pentax or tamron

Get yourself into the "your photos" section.

You don't have to post your own shots until you feel ready, although receiving honest critic on them will help you a lot.

What I found really helpful was looking at others work and deciding what worked for me and what didn't.

Don't be offended when someone doesn't like your work. They will probably offer some constructive comments on what they would do differently. Take these onboard, try them out if possible (for example a different crop is easy to try). Sometimes you will disagree with what the other person says, sometimes it will turn what was an ok shot into a wall-hanger.

above all, enjoy yourself!

Learn to read the histogram. It'll help you a great deal while you work towards Peter's holy grail of getting exposure right first time.

Use your feet. Often you'll get a better shot by moving rather than just zooming.

Have fun.

Best wishes, Kris.