Santa brought me a Nikon D90 this year.....Omg.

[debbierlus]

I have been using a Sony Cybershot for seven years!

I have used it nearly every day and it was a great camera for its time, but the way technology changes, it was getting to the point of having a 70s polaroid (not to diss it, I took second place in last months contest with a pic from this little friend).
My father has become a fan of photos over the years, and he got me the Nikon.

With two different lens setups

And, all kinds of books and filters and a camera bag and extra batteries and WOW!

I feel a bit lost, but fortunately he included the Nikon D90 for dummies.

I feel like I did when I was six years old!

[Blue_In_AK]

1. What excellent news!

You're going to have a great time learning all of this. I remember how overwhelmed I felt when I got my first DSLR, but it's so much fun figuring it out.

Can't wait to see your new photos. :)

[debbierlus]

3. Thanks. I am so overwhelmed.

I burst into tears when I opened it.

And, I might burst into tears again before I figure out what the hell I am doing!

:)

[Blue_In_AK]

7. Debbie, you are really in the right place

to learn how to use this thing. I'm not kidding when I say I knew ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about photography when I first came into this group (with my husband's old Sony Mavica). When I got my first DSLR, the Canon 20D, I felt completely out of my league, not knowing an aperture from an ISO. But everyone here was so kind and patient and nonthreatening and, honestly, taught me everything I know.

Ask lots of questions, and I'm sure you'll get the answers. :)

[debbierlus]

9. Thanks...I will definitely be tapping into the incredible knowledge of my fellow DU photographers

No doubt!

[Tindalos]

2. Someone was good this year!

What a wonderful surprise to wake up to. No doubt you'll have lots of fun playing with it. Please post lots of pictures for us to admire.

[debbierlus]

4. As soon as I figure out how to use it - I will post some!

[Celebration]

5. I love this!!

Seriously LOVE this.

I know you do too. I can't wait for the pictures........

Merry Christmas!

[NV Whino]

6. Congratulations!

The D90 is a great camera. Just put it on auto and learn a little at a time.

[debbierlus]

8. I am slowly getting it. LOTS to learn. Exciting and daunting all at once.

I will get it.

I will!

[regnaD kciN]

10. Very nice...

If I were to buy a Nikon, that's the model I'd look at.

Are the lenses VR?

[debbierlus]

11. Thanks

They are vibration reduction.

Nice lens. A 35 mm that is INCREDIBLE for existing light photography (talk about practical, indoor shots without having to deal with a flash).

And, a 55 mm/200 telephoto zoom lens, a little bit of an upgrade from the standard lens that comes with the kit.

[Shakespeare]

12. Congratulations!! And the best tip I can think of for you:

I don't really post at DU anymore, but I still peek in at the photography group from time to time.

I was in your place about 2.5 years ago, and was completely overwhelmed by the sophistication of a DSLR (I'd used a film SLR in the past). The best way I found to kind of get the hang of making a good exposure was to set the camera on auto, aim it at what I wanted to photograph, and take a "test" shot while noting what settings the camera would use to take that picture. You may not realize it right now, but you are smarter than your camera's computer when it comes to exposure. Much, much smarter. Look at the test exposure on the LCD screen and determine what adjustments you need to make in aperture, shutter speed or ISO to make the picture darker or lighter (in other words, better) than the shot the camera made on auto.

By doing this, I finally began to rely on my own internal computer to set exposure. On auto settings, I never would have gotten this picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinblackphotography/4025340668/

Or this picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinblackphotography/4051548421/

My only other advice is to have fun, and take LOTS of pictures (that's the best way to learn, after all).

[debbierlus]

13. Good advice. My dad bought me some excellent photo books that are really helping

The Nikon D90 for Dummies has been a big help in learning to get around.

I am also taking series of the same scene is all different types of settings to just see what happens.

My biggest problem is impatience. I want to know how to do everything technically NOW, so I can use the camera as a paintbrush. But, that will come.


Thanks (and NICE pics)

:)

[alfredo]

14. After he went to your place, all he had left for me was clothes and a gift card

to Cheddars.