CBTennis Loc: Beaumont, California

Hi, I just purchased a Nikon D5500 with 18-55 and 70-300 lenses. Now I am looking forward to learning to use it for more than just point and shoot use.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

Welcome to the forum.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.
There are SO many things these cameras can do now...
I'd read the manual;
hold the camera and read the manual;
read the manual.
Experiment and have fun.

CBTennis Loc: Beaumont, California

Thanks for the welcome. I look forward to learning from others.

CBTennis Loc: Beaumont, California

Thanks, I plan to study the manual and try the different settings. There is a lot to learn!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Welcome to UHH. Have fun.
--Bob

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Welcome to the UHH.
Lots of help here. Lots of videos available on the net (YouTube).
Many good books, some favored by different people.
Basic photography:

Understanding Exposure – Bryan Peterson I have this one in e-book.

Tony Northrup's DSLR Book: How to Create Stunning Digital Photography My favorite, links to videos that are updated periodically in the e-book version

Learning to See Creatively, Third Edition: Design, Color, and Composition in Photography 3rd Revised ed. Edition - Bryan Peterson

The Art of Photography - Bruce Barnbaum I have this one.

Many others for beginners, intermediate advanced and specialty photography (nature, underwater, landscape, action/sports, birds, portraits etc).

I also have the National Geographic videos and booklets. And I have Peterson's book on flash photography.

Google and you will find many things to help with photography as a field.

Also get a book just on your camera: consider David Busch's Nikon D5500 Guide to Digital SLR Photography and many others including the For Dummies Series book on the D5500. I have the Dummies book on my Canon 6D - it is in plain english. Also consider Nikon D5500 Experience - The Still Photography Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Nikon D5500 by Douglas Klostermann I have his books on both my 6D and 7DII.

If you can find one try a local photography club and/or classes at adult school or a local community college.

Then the next big step, picking and learning the editing software.

And remember to relax and have fun. (Right, after I just gave you a whole college course of stuff to read or watch.) The final exam is easy, it fact it doesn't exist.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Welcome. The good thing about photography is that it is fun to practice.

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

Welcome!

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Welcome!

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Forum.

CBTennis Loc: Beaumont, California

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for all the recommended sources! That will keep me busy for a while. I will look for some of those books.

I see that you are in Corona - a neighbor! We moved to Beaumont from the La Sierra area of Riverside.

Chuck

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

Welcome to the forum.

Jack

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Ah, I spend way too much time at the Kaiser Riverside and have been known to haunt the Riverwalk Parkway with more camera gear than a sensible person would carry. I also spend a bit of time in Perris at the Orange Empire Railway Museum where I am a member of the operations department. I used to be out there at least 3 weekends a month but the last few years I only do big events. And lately I find I like sitting in the office as the announcer, I have done that the last three Thomas events. Talking all day reminds me of my 34 years in the classroom in LA.
But my wife and daughter are both working on becoming streetcar operators. I mostly confine myself to being a Conductor if they will let me get away with it when I am not announcing.
In two weeks we will have the Civil War groups on the 20th & 21st. Lots of photo ops during that.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Welcome to the forum.