Military Newbie Needs Help!!!

[MikePrattPhotography]

Hey All.. This is my first post on here. I am in the military and currently stationed on a ship in the middle of the Persian Gulf. I just bought a 30D with the 55-125 lens i think. Im not sure if thats what it is or not but something close to it. I have been saving for a couple months to get it and i finally recieved it about a month ago. Is there anything you guys suggest to familiarize my self with it? I just came across a photo lesson on Morguefile.com. I think that will be very helpful. I havnt looked over it yet. Is there anything else anyone suggests to familiarize myself with the camera and even the termonology?

Thank you for your time!

[Hermeto]

Put the camera in front of you and start reading Instruction Manual.
Everything you read, identify on camera.
Try every example, every adjustment.

After that, do the same, only instead of Manual, read everything on this site:

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/

Finally, read all of the Stickies and FAQs here..

Welcome to POTN!

[Miyagi-san]

first, welcome and congrats on your new gear...30D is an EXCELLENT camera.

what's your level of experience with photography? morguefile is a good website, read that as well as spend some time browsing this forum...and most importantly: practice!

I'm military as well, over 8 years..lots of great pics from all over the world :D ..stay safe out there :)

[MikePrattPhotography]

Thank you for your guys advice. I dont really have any level of photography at all... just kinda expiremented and really enjoyed it. SO i am an EXTREMEM beginner. I dont really understand any of the terminology. I slighty understnd the basics of the shutter speed. But thats about it. ANY help at all would be very useful!.. thank you agianq

[VegasGeorge]

Hey Mike, and Welcome!!! Please, read the manual like Hermeto said. I keep telling new folks to do that, and the ones that have trouble are the ones that never read the manual. Go figure!

Could you post a shot or two illustrating shipboard life? I don't want you to violate any regs or anything like that, but it sure would be interesting to see a little of your workspace and living environment.

[pos]

Mike , first of all thanks for serving and keeping us safe. As for the help with the camera do like what was said above and keep on shooting and things will fall into place. Be safe and have fun with your new toys. pos

[Mark_Cohran]

Welcome, Shipmate! If you can, get someone to send you a copy of Bryan Petersen's excellent book Understanding Exposure. That, along with your manual will help you understand the basics. Also, this site offers some excellent tutorials:

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm

Enjoy your new hobby and don't forget to post some photos;

Mark ETCS(SS), USN, ret.

[asysin2leads]

Good to see some other squids on here. Being somewhat of a newbie myself, let me start by saying, know your camera. That takes snapping shot after shot and reading the manual while doing it. Understanding Exposure, like they've already said, is a wonderful book and I've learned a lot just flipping through the pages. There is a wealth of knowledge from some real pros here at POTN. Listen to them and take their advice. You'd be surprised how much you'll pick up just watching here. Ok, if you are on a carrier, make sure you take some good long exposure shots of night cat launches....ok, that was more for me. Best of luck and stay safe.

Kevin HM3(FMF), USNR

[SHULTSIE!!!]

Try this too... quick and easy tutorial by Canon. Breaks it down pretty easy. BTW, Welcome!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Try this too... quick and easy tutorial by Canon. Breaks it down pretty easy. BTW, Welcome!

Try what?

[SHULTSIE!!!]

Try what?

I know... I do this at work too... my Squadron Commander sends the same replies...

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=HomePageAct

[MikePrattPhotography]

I want to thank everyone for thier inputs. I have taken a few photos and I will post them in a few minutes for all thos who are interested.

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!

[Nanboh]

Hi Mike
Welcome to POTN!
Take lots of shots and look at each on a computer--look especially at the ones that are no good--try and figure out why they didn't work out and then don't do that next time :D
Seriously--looking at your own shots and figuring out what worked and didn't is a great learning tool. Don't be afraid to throw stuff out, but learn from it. If you see a pattern, you know you need to correct something.
Cheers and don't hesitate to ask questions or post images--they're almost all really nice around here:lol:
Nancy

[MikePrattPhotography]

First ever Pics posted... search for "Refueling at Sea"

[jwilson]

Mike, forgot the pics!!! Here's my 2 cents...take lots of pics (after thoroughly reading the manual, of course). You'll probably end up not liking alot of them but I'd say keep them anyways. 10 yrs down the road, you'll have pics of life onbd the ship. When able, spend alot of time on this forum. Are you an east-coast sailor or west-coast? I spent time on both sides - not sure which one I liked the best but I sure do miss it sometimes. Try to stay cool over there and hope you have a safe deployment.

Have a fine Navy day!

CDR Jeff Wilson, USNR
Gaitor Navy is the best Navy!

[PhotosGuy]

See if this sheds some light on using M settings:
Virtual Camera
http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/
Notice the background change when you use his "Shutter and Aperture" settings!

There is a LOT of info in the the "Sticky"s at the top of many of the parts of the forum. Like..."Talk About Photography", "RAW, Post processing and printing", "Small Flash and Studio Lighting", etc. as well as in other areas of the forum.
Be sure to take the time to look through them all, & welcome to POTN!

[MikePrattPhotography]

I agree with the Gator Navy! I decomm'd the Belleau Wood.. best ship I had ever been on!

Thanks for the advice though!

[JWright]

Good to see some other squids on here.

Kevin HM3(FMF), USNR

There's some retired squids here too... QMC(DV) USNR, (Ret.)