I’m still here :)

Hi Ingrid,

I happened across your blog by simply typing a Google search for “beginning photography blog” and you site came up. After looking at your blog I noticed lots of informative ideas. I recently acquired a Nikon D3100 with a couple of lens 50mm and a 70-200mm I believe. All the reviews stated that it was a phenom starter camera that was capable of taking high quality photos like many of your higher cost professional DSLRs. I have taken maybe 100 pics through this camera and desperately would like to learn so much more. Always in auto, but I’m dying to learn how to take those photos that I see for sale on Istock, Shutterbug, and other sites. Its not so much that I want to make money on my photos from these micro sites as much as it is perfecting those awesome pictures. Friends of mine tell me to just go out in the back yard and start snapping. They say you will be amazed at what you capture just in your back yard, but I’ve tried close ups, field of depth shots, landscape, you name it and I just can’t get that crisp, deep, photo that I’m looking for. This is gonna sound crazy, but I believe I need help from someone like you. It is very difficult for me to take classes considering I work retail and approximately 60 hours a week. Plus juggling housework (single), yard work and a girlfriend. Is there any hope that one day before I’m 100 (52 years to go lol) I will be able to take those quality photos that I so desperately seek? I surely hope the answer is “yes”. Any input or suggestions would be so appreciated. Congrats on the newborn, kids are truly a gift from God!

An aspiring photographer,

Mike

Hi Mike – so glad you found us! The D3100 is a great camera and more than capable of delivering great shots – you just gotta know how to use it! You’d really benefit from getting some sort of instruction to help you use it to the max. My class “Master your DSLR” is designed to do just that but it is a self-directed course so you really have to follow it along closely, take your time and do the assignments as suggested. If you require more guidance I do plan on a more interactive online course on Mastering your DSLR which should be starting in September. In the meantime you should definitely check out the new Ebook from Nicole S Young : “Microstock – from Passion to Profit” which will help you out regarding microstock photography. It’s only a fiver!

Ingrid – both you and your baby girl are glowing and beautiful! Guess what – people want to hire me to take their pictures! Can you believe it. I’ve started a blog to chronicle some of these exploits. http://sunshineandsmilesphotography.blogspot.com/. I’d love for you to check it out, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on a good portrait lens w/ some zoom. I love my 50, but I miss zoom. Also, thinking of getting a D7000. Take care and coffee soon!