[alpina]

Hello all, I have became the very proud owner of a Nikon D40 and am over the moon with it. I decided not to be a lurker and to get stuck in. This is my first result.



http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/m...4/DSC_0055.jpg


Having never held a dslr before I am amazed that I could do this.

Took it with aperture priority at f5.6 1/60 s .

I had no idea what any of the above meant a week ago!!!

[bain]

Very good for your first attempt, there is just about the right DOF to make it work

[Markulous]

Nice one! Welcome to the world of the dSLR!

[alpina]

Originally Posted by Markulous

Nice one! Welcome to the world of the dSLR!

Wow... feeling proud as punch...at my age too!!

[j sotelo]

Excellent first attempt

[simpbow]

Nice one.

[Steve Robb]

That's lovely, where was it taken?

[alpina]

Thanks for all the kind comments. I went through a wee period of despair when I realised that I was going to have to learn Photoshop or similiar. It just seemed to much for my old fuddled brain.

However I am taking it one step at a time.

I shot this in my living room. Its an sculpture by Austin.


Andy

[Des Gardner]

Nice one! now you have set your own standard, dont worry about learning photoshop just start with the simple things first, such has getting rid of distracting highlights by cloning and then there is the contrast and sharpening to control but as you said one day at a time, save your original image somewhere and if you mess up just start again its all good fun when it pouring down with rain outside!

[water]

Power to your shutter finger.Very good.As the guys have said,one step at a time.Your local Library should have some 'books for beginners' in both photography and photoshop which can help you along the way.And of course the folks here on Pixalo are only an internet connection away and always willing to help.It [photoshop] can seem daunting at first but the trick is practice.But also keep in mind this is fun.There are some here who earn money from their images,which is great,but most of us are just a mixed 'level' of happy snappers.Keep your images for reference,or at least the ones you feel are 'good'.Not only does this give you something to measure your 'progress' against but,as I am finding out myself right now,as your photoshop skills improve you can revisit the photos and the improvements can be dramatic.One of the biggest assets/techniques I am presently trying to 'master' is Layers and Masks.I look at it as akin to localised 'dodging and burning' of specific areas within the photo.But that is for down the road a bit.At the moment your camera and you have paired up to get out there and record what appears pleasing to your eye.And have fun/excitement/excercise/frustrations etc along the way

[clafra]

Very nice shot.

What a first attempt!

[P-E]

Lovely first shot.