Just got a Nikon D50, i dont know how to use it and cant find how to fix this: When i turn flash off and go to take picture it goes to take it snaps down, stays black for a couple seconds and if i move camera it captures all the light movement, makes a cool effect but how do i have it just take the picture right away like it does with flash on?

Any other tips on how to get good mini and other pics on it would be great!

 

Sounds like you have it in Auto or Semi-Auto mode. Having the flash off will make it compensate by increasing ISO, Apeture(If applicable), and Shutter speed. If you put it in Manual mode you can change increase the shutter speed, but without flash or a large ISO setting you will have an underexposed photo.

You will need to either use a Tripod when you have a slow shutter speed or you will get movement/shake.

both of these photos were taken with shutter speed of more than 3 seconds, in near pitch black darkness. Because of the high ISO and slow shutter speed, they are quite bright.





I'm still learning all this stuff too, as you can see from my low quality pics.