LIGHT PAINTING SETUP 1. Change your Mode dial (the one on the top) from Auto to S.
2. Set your focus (on the lens) to M. The camera has a hard time focusing in the dark, so usually manual focus works best.
3. Press the info button on top to turn on the back screen (or, D50 users just wake up your camera by half pressing the shutter release button.) See if you can locate your shutter speed. Remember it's the number on the left.
4. Scroll with the Command dial (the one by your right thumb) until you see 5" which means 5 seconds. In most cases you'll be scrolling to the left. 5" will be a good place to start, but you may end up changing it.
NOW THE FUN PART--LIGHT PAINTING:
1. Get a light source ready (cell phone, flash light, computer screen, etc.)
2. Do your best to focus your camera manually.
3. Think about possibly stabilizing your camera by setting it down or just holding really still.
4. Press the shutter release button to start taking the picture.
5. Move the light source around in front of the lens.
6. When the picture is finished see if 5 seconds was the right amount of time. If it's too dark and you need more light, scroll left and slow down your exposure. If it was too much time (your pic was too bright) scroll right and speed up your time.