Newbie looking for some tips and pointers

[Boostin97SE-R]

I just bought my first DSLR camera yesterday and was playing with it for about 10 minutes tonight. Out of the 30 or so shots I took here are the best ones . Can someone point me in the right direction as far as what kind of settings I should be using for a nice night shot? These didn't come out that good at all. This is on a nikon D60 using a tripod and auto focus ( which may be part of the problem since it was dark). What kind of shutter speed/iso/aperture etc etc would be a good starting point? Any help is much appreciated. I love the way a great night shot looks. Thanks

[Boostin97SE-R]

anyone?

[HoosierDaddy]

What mode were you using?

[Boostin97SE-R]

File
File: DSC_0099.JPG
Date: 2008/11/14 22:35:19.4
World Time: UTC-5, DST:ON
Image Quality: Jpeg Normal (8-bit)
Image Size: L (3872 x 2592)
Image Comment:
Camera
Device: Nikon D60
Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal Length: 22mm
Focus Mode: AF-S
AF-Area Mode: Closest Subject
VR Control: ON
AF Fine Tune:
Exposure
Aperture: F/4.5
Shutter Speed: 1.6s
Exposure Mode: Shutter Priority
Exposure Comp.: +0.3EV
Exposure Tuning:
Metering Mode: Matrix
Sensitivity: ISO 800
Flash
Flash Sync Mode:
Flash Mode:
Flash Exposure Comp.:
Image Settings
White Balance: Auto, 0, 0
Color Space: sRGB
High ISO NR: OFF
Long Exposure NR: OFF
Active D-Lighting: OFF
Image Authentication:
Optimize Image
Optimize Image: Normal
Color Mode: Mode IIIa (sRGB)
Tone Comp.: Auto
Hue Adjustment: 0°
Saturation: Auto
Sharpening: Auto
GPS
Latitude:
Longitude:
Altitude:
Direction of Image:
Time(UTC):

[btuner]

iso needs to be all the way down, not 800. Also use a higher aperture like 9 or 11 for better sharpness. self timer also will get rid of any shake from pressing the button

check this over for info about the auto focus:
Nikon D60 Autofocus Settings

[Boostin97SE-R]

iso needs to be all the way down, not 800. Also use a higher aperture like 9 or 11 for better sharpness. self timer also will get rid of any shake from pressing the button

check this over for info about the auto focus:
Nikon D60 Autofocus Settings

great! thanks. I will definitely give that a try.

[HoosierDaddy]

Use a white balance such as Tungsten next time.

I say you let me take photos of your car and at the sametime I can teach you the little i know.

[Boostin97SE-R]

Use a white balance such as Tungsten next time.

I say you let me take photos of your car and at the sametime I can teach you the little i know.

Let me know when and where

[Boostin97SE-R]

Thanks for the tips guys. I went out a little tonight and tried some of the settings suggested and they came out great. Any more suggestions or comments please post them. I really appreciate the help in this long process of learning photography. Here are a couple that I took of my buddies camaro and my car also. These are completely unedited and right off the camera. let me know what you think.

[btuner]

looking much better, just need a better location!

[Boostin97SE-R]

looking much better, just need a better location!

yeah location sucks but it was a last minute deal and close to home. will go scouting later.