randi_willett

<p>The weather finally let up from raining, and I was able to get some pictures using my D40X.<br>

I was working on M (manual) setting on an F-stop of F/11 at around 60-90 seconds (I was working with the BULB setting). I didn't use a tripod and the remote control because I was in a rush and left without them this morning on my way to class, but I still wanted to test out the camera since it at "sunny" today after my last class at 2:30.</p>

<p>The only problem I'm seeing is that the long exposures pick up the dust particles very well that are on the lenses/filter (at least I think that's what it is) and I'm have to up the exposure in photoshop. However, I do think that I may be able to use the camera once I get to understand thinks more. The pictures I have do look a little contrasty though. I'm hoping to find a way to fix them.</p>

<p>Is there anything I'm doing that you guys think I could improve upon as far as settings in the camera go? I know that the compositions need to be much better exiquited, but I'm looking to improve my understanding first and then working with the photos. The nicest thing I noticed was the camera can focus itself with the filter on. On Thursday, if weather permits, I may work with the White Balance setting and see if the helps the contrast issues</p>

<p>Thanks everyone. Here's the picture I took. I desaturated it and up-ed the exposure.</p><div></div>

<p>I'm going to try a few of the setting changes, like some have offered. I didn't know about the full manual mode seeing I haven't been using a DSLR for very long. I'm going to work on a few test shots tomorrow, after picking up a remote and seeing what the possibilities are with that.</p>

<p>I'm not terribly worried about the exposure time, seeing as it's not windy where I live, I'm looking more for the classic dark skies and white foliage look in the pictures. I'll report back with a picture or two probably tomorrow or Friday.</p>

<p>I've currently been working with IR film and loved the photos just not how testy the film is with heat and light. It seems that Digital IR is testy as well. These two techniques are quite different so it's another learning curve for me to take on.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help. It is appreciated. I've heard from others that the newer DSLRs don't get the infrared picture, but I haven't seen any one trying with the D40X so I thought I'd try and see what I could get.</p>

<p>I've been thinking of having my camera converted to IR by Lifepixel, but because I'm a student in college the conversion is a bit too pricey for me at this current time. Instead I opted for getting a Hoya R72 filter to use with my camera. However, I'm having a problem with capturing an image altogether. I've read several online tutorials and discussions on how people have used set-ups like: RAW on f/11 at 200 ISO for 60 seconds to get an image, however whenever I try these setting I'm getting only 15 seconds and the image is extremely dark or it is an instance snapshot. I can't figure out how to get this setting to accept more light so the exposure is brighter. Could I have other setting wrong? The A (aperture) setting is the only one I can get a longer exposure time (i.e. 15 seconds)<br>

I would appreciate any sort of input. I'd really like to see what sort of images I can produce with this amazingly surreal technique.<br>

Camera: Nikon D40X<br>

Lense: AF-S Nikkor18-135mm1 3.5-5.6 ED</p>