Helping a novice with a D3100

[captjab]

I have a D3100 that I'm trying to learn. I do not have a macro lens yet so I'm just trying to get my full tank shots down first. My color is nowhere close to being right. I will post a shot or two when I get home so you guys can see how bad I'm doing. That way we can all see the progress I make with your help. Thanks.

[captjab]

With flash.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o186/captjab02/corals003.jpg
Without.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o186/captjab02/corals004.jpg
I used the AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm lens because it is the smallest one I have.

[Misled]

How to take better pictures:
Reefkeeping Magazine article about how your camera works... step one! (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/gr/index.php)
Understanding depth of field (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=812371)
Exposure, compensation and the histogram (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=812374)
Reefkeeping Magazine article about white balance. (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/gr/index.php)
Must-reads about white balance! (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=325684)
Photoshop tutorials (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59251)

[captjab]

Thanks for providing the links Misled.

[Misled]

All of them plus quite a few more are in the stickys on top of the forum.

[captjab]

Thanks. It's just reading alot of that stuff is like a reading foreign language to me. The aperture settings and stuff is over my head and I thought someone with the same camera could walk me through it. I will keep practicing and try to figure it out. That is always the best way to learn anyway I guess, then I will understand what makes it work.

[Misled]

You really need to read some first. If you don't understand exposure, ISO and aperture, you won't understand what happens when you make a change. All three effect each other. Without understanding what each does, you might as well just shoot in the auto mode and hope for the best.

[mwladdicted]

Misled is right with out understanding the basics taking good pictures will be alot harder. Once you get it down its just experementing.
Shutter speed- longer the shutters open the more light gets in
Aperture- cna also affect how much light is let in but more importantly adjust your DOF
With your fts ull want a lower aperature
Iso- a sensor that regulates how much light the camera will pick up. i ussualy keep mine at 1600 or higher
Make sure u pre set ur white balance
Also for ur fts id shoot in matrix mode to get everything in focus.
Cameras are like reefkeeping the more u read the better you get!
This dulled answer but i hope it helps
~Tom

[captjab]

I appreciate the help. I'm reading the links misled posted. mwladdicted thanks for explaining that in a way I can understand it. I see this will take me some time to figure out. I did take a few shots earlier after making some adjustments and I can already see some improvement.