Nikon® D3000 For Dummies®

Chapter 2. Taking Great Pictures, Automatically

In This Chapter

• Shooting your first pictures

• Setting focus and exposure automatically

• Using flash in automatic exposure modes

• Getting creative by using Scene modes

• Changing from single-frame to continuous shooting

• Exploring self-timer and remote-control photography

Are you old enough to remember the Certs television commercials from the 1960s and '70s? "It's a candy mint!" declared one actor. "It's a breath mint!" argued another. Then a narrator declared the debate a tie and spoke the famous catchphrase: "It's two, two, two mints in one!"

Well, that's sort of how I see the Nikon D3000. On one hand, it provides a full range of powerful controls, offering just about every feature a serious photographer could want. On the other, it offers automated photography modes that enable people with absolutely no experience to capture beautiful images. "It's a sophisticated photographic tool!" "It's as easy as 'point and shoot!'" "It's two, two, two cameras in one!"

Now, my guess is that you bought this book for help with your camera's advanced side, so that's what other chapters cover. This chapter, however, is devoted to your camera's simpler side. Because even when you shoot in automatic exposure and focus modes, following a few basic guidelines can help you get better results. For example, your camera offers a variety of automatic exposure modes, some ...