Last Updated on February 3, 2023
I love the Nikon D3300 and use it often for different types of photography. It works great for nature and landscape photography, but these Nikon D3300 photography tips can help you take great photos with any camera.
Nikon D3300 Key Features To Know
The Nikon D3300 has a lot of features that can help you take better photos, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user.
HD Video Recording – The camera records high-definition video at 60 frames per second with stereo sound and continuous autofocus. You can use your videos to make time-lapse photography video.
Time Lapse Photography – Take time-lapse photos or time-lapse videos from a single point over an extended period of time.
Image Stabilization – The camera has a built-in 5-axis image stabilization that helps reduce the effects of camera shake. You can detect which images were taken with the stabilization on or off in the playback display.
Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity – The Nikon D3300 includes an embedded Wi-Fi module to connect directly to compatible smart devices using Wireless Mobile Utility. You can transfer your images and videos quickly and easily using this wireless functionality.
Exposure Metering Modes – The camera has an advanced 1200-zone metering system that evaluates the brightness of a scene and selects the best exposure for the situation. You can also select one of three different metering modes that will cause the camera to choose an appropriate exposure for different types of scenes.
High ISO Sensitivity – You can choose to have high ISO values with lower levels of noise, or turn off high ISO and have less sensitive photos with more noise. This is useful when the lighting conditions are too poor for a standard exposure.
Guide Mode – The camera’s Guide Mode is a great way to learn more about photography. The guide has a ton of information to help you take better photos, some of which is also explained further on this page.
High Quality Images – The Nikon D3300 images have very little noise and high levels of detail in every image. You can see even the finest details in each image with this camera and it takes great photos in low light conditions.
To get the best possible results, here are my top Nikon D3300 photography tips and tricks
1) Use the ISO Sensitivity and Shutter Speed when taking photos in low light conditions
Low light photography requires a lot more light sensitivity than normal. When using a Nikon D3300 in low light conditions, you want to play around with both of these settings. A slow shutter speed can make the background blur, but it can also cause noise in the image. You may want to use a faster shutter speed to prevent this, but sometimes there isn’t enough light for that and you may end up with camera shake.
Start by opening up the ISO sensitivity of the lens to a higher setting. You may want to start at ISO 100 and increase it until the image is bright enough. This will cause more noise in the images, but if you can’t use a higher shutter speed then there isn’t much you can do about that.
2) Use a tripod to prevent camera shake and blur images
Camera shake is one of my biggest frustrations as a photographer. I have shaky hands sometimes, and even when using a tripod I can still introduce camera shake into my images. If you’re serious about photography you need to get a tripod. It’s one of the best investments you can make for your camera, especially if you buy a good quality tripod with proper ball head mounts.
A cheap tripod won’t hold your camera steady enough and the more expensive tripods are worth the money. I bought a $20 tripod before and it wasn’t stable enough to take consistent photos at all with my D3300.
You can find very good low-end tripods at places like Amazon or Walmart , but if you really want to spend a bit more on top end equipment, there are some great options on the market. I use a Manfrotto photographic tripod with a ball head. It was expensive, but it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made for my photography.
3) Choose a shutter speed between 1/200 and 1/500 of a second when taking photos in bright daylight
If you’re shooting outdoors on a bright sunny day, use a shutter speed of 1/200 to 1/500 of a second. You want enough light to get the shot but you don’t want to overexpose the image. A slow shutter speed can introduce blur if there is any movement in the scene, whether it’s from people to trees swaying in the wind.
4) Use the self-timer when taking photos of people
When taking photos of people, or groups of people, use the self-timer setting. You can also add an optional delay before taking a picture as well. This will give you a few seconds to take the photo first before pressing the shutter button. I’ve noticed this can reduce camera shake if someone is in the picture.
5) Use a remote shutter release when taking photos of wildlife
When shooting nature I often use remote shutter releases. This allows you to keep your hands steady and it can reduce camera shake as well. There are some nice remote releases on the market, like this one, that allow you to trigger your camera shutter remotely without using any batteries.
I also use a wireless shutter release, which allows me to take photos with a remote, but it doesn’t need to be connected to my camera. I can attach it to any camera and use it remotely.
6) Use a lens with Image Stabilization to reduce camera shake
Using a lens with image stabilization can be useful when taking photos in low light conditions. This comes in handy when taking photos at night, indoors where there isn’t enough light, or if the scene is moving. I always use my D3300 with a lens that has IS on it to reduce camera shake (unless I have a tripod).
Bottom Line
I enjoy taking photos with my Nikon D3300 and I hope that these tips will help you take better pictures. There are always new things that I can learn when it comes to photography, so if there’s anything you’d like to add to this article just leave a comment below.