Family

1st Moon Picture attempts

First photo is common error..it's a night shot so you think you need long exposure. Nah, baby, nah. Moon is constantly moving so you need a fast shutter. Good news, you can hand hold the camera.

I first used 15-55 kit lens with my NikonD40 with 1.3 sec shutters on car window ledge & too wide an aperture (4.5)

Then I read to use sunny day rules to shoot just the moon, as it is lit by sun reflection. Best to use 300mm lens but I've only 55-200 mm AV Nikkor lens.

I chickened out some sites suggestion of 250 shutter speeds and went for 125 and 100 w aperture at F8. Next, I shall attempt F11 or F16 and 125. Stay tuned! And if you are reading this on Saturday, look at the moon tonight. Going to be super moon, see link by clicking here. Was gorgeous last night with clouds playing around it. My photos have thin layers of clouds scanning over as I missed the clear sky moment when I was in the grocery.

Some links I found helpful.

http://photography.about.com/od/photographybyoccasion/a/moonshots.htm

http://www.flickr.com/groups/d40slr/discuss/72157601837909125/

Learning Manual Mode w NikonD40

Things are greening up! Sun was out, yay!
Practicing manual mode after yrs of cheating (Auto) is not for sissies, but hell, who knew you could keep the lens on autofocus. Not I. Stewart enjoying HD 3D for cats with squirrels on the patio. Oscar yawned & was bored. Speedy enjoying the sunshine as was I from recliner.

Thing I miss about film camera? There is horrible burn out factor from sunny windows or skies. This drives me NUTS on tv as well but whether you've a cheap P&S or $3000 cam, issue is there. Need to invest in a special filter. But first need to relearn f-stops/shutters in a digital cam. NOT as easy as learning in film....miss the quality of film but need help focusing with my eyes so will take what I can get. Should be interesting week to practice.