How to Photograph a Live Event With a Nikon D40
The Nikon D40 gives both amateur and professional photographers the ability to easily photograph just about any situation, including live events. Understanding the range of controls available on the D40 is critical to getting the best photographs. The large number of settings helps to get the best out of any lighting situation, while the automatic modes provide the ability to use the camera as a simple point-and- shoot, saving time when action begins to unfold.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
-
-
1
Assess the lighting situation at the live event. The D40 adjusts to cope with a number of lighting situations with minimal effort from the photographer.
-
2
Select your lens. The D40 works with any of Nikon's F mount series of lenses. Choose a lens with a wider aperture for a low-light situation, and make sure that the focal length your lens is versatile enough to capture the action your event will provide.
-
3
Set your ISO to automatic. This allows the D40 to select the proper light sensitivity for the sensor automatically. Press the "Menu" button and select the custom settings menu. From there, select option 10 and choose the highest ISO your event requires. Low-light events require a larger ISO than daytime or brightly lit events.
-
4
Select your shooting mode. Live events tend to unfold quickly, so using an automatic or semi-automatic shooting mode helps you to focus on shooting rather than adjusting the camera. Select the automatic "Sport" mode or semi-automatic "S" shutter priority for fast-moving events or choose "Portrait" or "A" for events that focus on fewer subjects.
-
5
Finish adjusting the D40 by selecting the built-in flash, if necessary. Press the "Flash" button located next to the pop-up flash. You are now ready to photograph your event.
-
1
