newbie help

Mech1

Hi all, got a present of a Nikon Coolpix p900 last week:D,
went out today and bought a manfrotto befree tripod.

Now how do I learn how to use all this? Never had more than a pocket camera or phone camera before.

Thanks.

Mech1

This is an example slideshow of what im getting out of it on the factory settings / scenes.
http://s962.photobucket.com/user/mech1111/slideshow/Bird%20feeder

But I have no idea how to progress past the auto stage.

ptyloch

Congratulations on your new Nikon!

I would start with YouTube, just search for DSLR
photography tips, beginner, things like that .


https://www.udemy.com/beginner-digital-photography-how-do-i-use-my-camera/

A course like this would be a good way to start

Mech1

Great im already at that but not many videos deal with the p900 except all the super zoom capabilities.

I will continue but, as it seems most Nikons have similar control markings.

ianobrien

The basics of photography and the relationship between shutter speed, apeture and ISO are the same no matter what camera. Nikon may use different terminology for certain things (I'm a Canon user) but once you figure them out (the manual helps) you'll be fine.

A beginner's course or your local camera club would be a good starting point. YouTube for tutorials also is a great source of help for the beginner.

Edit: When on YouTube, don't look up things by your camera model. Look for basic ones and use your manual to transpose the terms into Nikon Speak (AV or TV for example for shutter priority)

pwllor

Find a photo enthusiast within your friends and go shooting together.

toe_knee

A camera club can be very useful too

Ben D Bus

I recommend Mike Browne's YouTube video tutorials.

http://www.photographycourses.biz/videos

I learned a lot from them. I also went on a weekend course with him. He's a good teacher.

Logie-1

Here is a link to a game for beginners. It will teach you what the controls on your camera are for,i.e. shutter speed, aperture and iso. Have fun:)

http://www.canonoutsideofauto.ca/play/

CabanSail

There are no shortcuts, no matter what the various manufacturers may claim. You need to learn about light and exposure. Then you have to establish a workflow for post production.

Joining a local camera club is good advice.

A book that I can recommend is Mastering Exposure by David Nightingale. I find it a bit better than Understanding Exposure, which is also very good. This knowledge is applicable to any camera. I mainly shoot Nikon too, but that's just because it's the system I got into. I actually looked at buying a P900 at one stage but was disappointed as it did not have RAW. You will find that the P900 has various modes. The important ones are P,A,S,M then there will be various Scene Modes. Some of my bodies have them too but I have never used them.

Enjoy learning how to use the new toy and you can always get more specific advice here.

Adrian.Sadlier

Another option is to go on a course - get to meet people with a common interest and learn at the same time. One such course is run by Dublin Camera Club, starting on 20th January - details at http://dublincameraclub.ie/images/DCC/CourseForms/PhotoforBeginners_Sept_15-Jan_16.pdf

Full disclosure - I am a member of DCC.

And most of all - enjoy your new camera and the memories you capture with it