Camera Settings

m0mmytiff

Hello, I just bought a Nikon D3100. This is a huge step for me as I was using a Nikon Coolpix L120. I am so confused. Two nights ago I went outside to take some pictures of my kids to try it out and I forgot to change any settings. I just know it was in Auto mode and my ISO was at 200 and the pictures came out grainy and dark. What are all the settings on the camera I need to change? I know ISO and aperture but I can't seem to figure out how to change them. I also don't know what other settings exist. When I change the settings what should they be on? I also noticed that the kit lens is not good while shooting indoors when it's dark or dim because it makes you use the flash or your picture is super dark. I plan on upgrading to a 50mm lens really soon. I also noticed that sometimes when trying to take a picture without the flash on and it's somewhat dim I will push the button to take the picture but it won't take it. Sorry if I am confusing anyone but I am confusing myself even as I am typing this out.

m0mmytiff

Here are a couple pictures I took that night for you guys to see:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=542008965825657&set=a.542008845825669.151083.100000496763204&type=3&src=https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/282242_542008965825657_1149115669_n.jpg&size=960,640

For some this picture reason it changed her eye color as the same color of her shirt:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=541700929189794&set=a.525198977506656.146915.100000496763204&type=3&src=https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/65453_541700929189794_1919726071_n.jpg&size=600,900

Dark & grainy:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=541692835857270&set=a.525198977506656.146915.100000496763204&type=3&src=https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/576335_541692835857270_1215180949_n.jpg&size=960,640

Grainy:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=541684822524738&set=a.129051510454740.22612.100000496763204&type=3&src=https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/553525_541684822524738_1656848771_n.jpg&size=960,640

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=541719759187911&set=a.129051510454740.22612.100000496763204&type=3&src=https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/554050_541719759187911_602010355_n.jpg&size=600,900

Riddelske

Hi Tiff,
Welcome to world of DSLR. I took a look at the pics, and from what I can see I would be pleased with the shots at the level (beginner) you're at. Yes, they're not perfect, but still they're acceptable. The light you were shooting was perfect for these portrait shots. It's called the golden hours just after sunrise and just before sunset.

I'm glad you have pin pointed one factor that you can change and it will improve your shots greatly, especially outdoors. The 50mm is a great investment even the 35mm too.

If these pictures had been on flickr I could have looked at the EXIF data that holds all the cameras information. You can learn a lot from that because it tells us aperture, ISO, speed etc.

Auto mode is ok for the beginner but really it's no better than the point and shoot you have; thats my opinion anyway. So I would recommend a few things. First buy a decent book on photography DSLR. Understanding light, aperture, speed & ISO is a good start.
The most valuable book is the manual if you're confused on anything (i.e how to set the camera up) camera related this will provide the quickest answer.

Auto mode selects everything for you including the ISO, so without the data I couldn't tell you if the ISO was high. A high ISO can make pictures grainy. Higher ISO the more noise (grainier) it gets.

The camera will not take a shot if its not focused in Auto mode. You can hear the beep if it's ready to take a shot.
To change a setting you need to be in one of the Pro modes (M,A or S). I would start off using the aperture mode and select different stops and see what difference it makes.

Please feel free to ask any more questions. This site provides a good range of people on here that will help. Check through some older posts and you may find the answers your looking for.

All the best.