Camera instructions

This isn't really a post. It's a reminder to myself of what I need to do to manually set my new Nikon D60 camera. I finally decided (okay, one might say I was persuaded) to get the camera for "photography enthusiasts". Yep, that's me, I'm enthused. In the world of photography, that means I'm more serious about taking snapshots than the phone camera/Cybershot crowd but not committed enough to sell one of my kidneys in order to purchase the D2X complete with a super-telephoto VR II lens and a Gitzo titanium tripod (the Rolls Royce of tripods). Isn't this the most beautiful tripod you've ever laid your eyes on? I'm salivating.

As you can see from my facebook page, I've been very snap happy of late. My first subjects have been flowers, trees and cascading water. I will be progressing to food, landscapes, animals and people (in that order) towards the end of the week when I travel to Vietnam.

Now where was I again? Oh yes. I must remember the following:

Aperture - small aperture (large f-number f/36) for fast shutter speed
large aperture (small f-number f/3) for slow shutter speed

Histogram - a hump in the middle is good

ISO - the higher the ISO (less light needed), the faster the speed and the smaller the aperture
the lower the ISO (more light needed), the slower the speed and the bigger the aperture

Why is it so difficult to memorize this? I might have to get this tattooed on one of my butt cheeks for personal reference. I can see this enthusiast telling her subjects to wait while she drops her pants to check for the correct aperture setting. On second thoughts, perhaps it'll be more practical on my left wrist.