PhotoHow2

Online School For Digital Photography and Website Development

PhotoHow2 - Online School For Digital Photography and Website Development

Tag Archives: Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100–Latest Impressions Of This Photographer’s Main Camera


Nikon D3100, an reliable camera that takes great photos and provides an alternative to more expensive cameras like the D4 and the D800

The Venerable Nikon D3100

With all the buzz about Nikon’s latest FX offerings, the D4 and the almost affordable D800, and rumors flying about the D3200, I thought it might be a good time to review my old standby, the Nikon D3100, which I’ve been using for almost two years. I’m a firm believer in doing the research, making good decisions about gear buys, and then getting the most out of my purchases, so you can bet that this photographer won’t denigrate himself by drooling over Nikon’s latest and greatest releases.

OK, I’m lying. I fawn just like every other camera junky when a new model like the D800 comes out, especially when and it has features like a 36.3MP FX-format CMOS sensor, full HD 1080p video at 30/25/24p with stereo sound, an ISO range from 100-6400, a 4 fps burst rate and the Advanced Scene Recognition System with a 91,000-pixel RGB sensor. But the realities of my income keep to keep my desires in check. Continue reading →

Photography Tip–7 Steps To Great Band Photography

Using Aperture Priority and Other Tricks To Improve Low Light Photography

7 Tips For Mastering Low Light Photography

This photography tutorial covers situations where you’re taking pictures of people in low light situations and you want to avoid introducing a huge amount of noise reduction editing to your digital image workflow.  Photographers always focus on light in their photography, but low light shots require careful attention to camera settings and situational awareness–you’re basically working in the dark, and with events like band performances, the action often occurs faster than you would like.  Hesitate while you switch between manual and aperture priority mode and you might just miss the best photo of the show.

Low Light Event Photography

I just had the pleasure of photographing one of my favorite bands, the March Fourth marching band, at the Belly Up in Aspen, Colorado.  Working on that shoot reminded just how difficult low light situations can be, but also how much fun you can have.  So, if you’ve been wondering about how to take pictures in low light situations, or how to be a photographer who never misses that difficult shot, please read on.  (I’ve shared tips in the past on how to improve your photography by freeworking for a professional photographer, but this tutorial focuses on photography in low light situations, and especially on setting your camera up with the right aperture settings). Continue reading →

Adventure Photographer How-To–Carry Less Camera Gear When You Travel

Just a quick post.  I’m heading out the door with friend and accomplished photographer JT Thomas to photograph swifts.  The details of the trip are kind of fuzzy right now, but it sounds like a blast.  Basically, JT’s photographing swifts for an upcoming magazine article, and he was looking for an assistant who could carry a ladder.

More on that in the next post.  I’ll write up a trip report when I get back and I’m planning on posting about the benefits of offering free work to established photographers as a way of developing your photography skills.  I just wanted to show you what I’m packing.  Not much!!!  I’ve pared it down to my Nikon D3100 (with battery charged), the kit 18-55 mm. lens, a Nikkor 55-200 mm. telephoto, and my Sigma 12-24 mm. DG HSM wide angle.

That’s it.  I use a small carrying bag with a shoulder strap and carry the Sigma’s original lens bag on my belt.  As they say, KISS.

Camera Gear Reviews–1st Impressions of the Nikon D3100 DSLR

Nikon D70

Goodbye Old Friend

Nikon D3100

Hello D3100

Just recently, while working with a group of eighteen 3rd and 4th graders at a Park Service summer camp for Junior Rangers, the subject of favorite colors came up. I made an off-hand comment about liking most colors except pink. A diminutive 4th grade girl with braces and cool sun glasses looked at me and said, “What’s the matter, not man enough to wear pink?” I tried to cover, but stepped all over myself in the process. Beat down by a 8 year old.

I bring this up because my first impression of Nikon’s entry level D3100 was that it wouldn’t earn me any macho points. I’m assuming most of this blog’s readers would think along the same lines as I did when I took the D3100 for a test drive — namely, that the camera felt too light, too small, and looked kind of cute. It lacks the burly feel of the popular new D7000, it isn’t weather sealed, and like the color pink, its just not that manly. But like many of us right now, I was on a budget, and the D7000 was just out of my price range. Finding a used model seemed like an impossibility, and I was having no luck picking up a D300 or any other Nikon DSLR in my price range. When the D3100 went on sale, along with the Nikkor 55-200 mm. telephoto lens, I jumped at the deal. Continue reading →