Erp1938

Thanks.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...Your First 10,000 photographs are your worst.” Henri Cartier-Bresson...

Patience grasshopper... you are certainly not alone...
"Practice and all is coming" Ashtanga Yoga Guru Pattabhi Jois

namaste...

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Your first 10,000 images are your worst. That's when you should change your camera brand.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Using auto don't teach you anything!!!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I am still frustrated. Sometimes I just set my camera to P and let loose. Not to worry.

Khick Loc: Binghamton, NY

When I don't feel like being in manual, I grab the D5300 and select scene and go to sport . For wildlife it works super. If you take your time and watch the settings the camera uses you'll get the education you need to start with.

uhaas2009

My first instructions booklet was from Minolta xg-1 easy to understand and to learn maybe this helps you too.....

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

When I first started out, I referred to 3 things (not books per say)
Gray Scale Card

Exposure Triangle

Sunny 16 rule

Of the 3, the Exposure Triangle definately linked to the other 2.

I still refer to the Exposure Triangle

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, it can be confusing, but after another three years, you'll understand everything!

It's all about getting light into the camera. There are three adjustments available: ISO, aperture, and shutter. Change one or more of those settings, and you change the amount of light the camera receives.

BebuLamar

Seriously Jerry! I still don't understand what's the OP problem is. I know it's not easy for him to explain but if he didn't get it in 3 years something is wrong.

Archboo3 Loc: Central Florida

I like what Cany143 said, start slow, put everything in auto and start there shoot everyday for a week or 2, see what happened and if you like what happen, the move you mode to S (shutter release) this is where you control how fast or slow the shutter opens. Shoot this way for a couple weeks or a month, see what you like. See if you pictures are looking better when shooting birds in flight when you adjust the shutter to at a higher shutter speed (Faster).

In the mean time look and see if there are adult classes on photography at your local college. An other way is to join a local camera club. Find a friend to go shooting with. I have learned a lot from shooting with a friend or friends. You'll find some who know less than you, but there is always one or two, that really get it and that are willing to share and help you get better. Join Kelbyone.com, they are a great source for beginners to pros. I like using Kelby the best, because there instructors have been vetted. On Youtube you can find a lot of good photographers sharing, but you can find a lot more that just don't need to be there, they need to be in a Kelbyone class or course.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A previous topic from the OP included:

- I'm still learning, the hardest part is the settings to use for different types of photos.

- Do I need a better camera?

The first comment suggests perhaps he is trying to memorize numbers with no understanding of how and why? The second comment reveals what so many who are new to photography believe: that money will buy better results

A photo forum such as UHH seems inadequate for the OP's needs. What appears to be lacking in the past 3 years of the OP's experience is a step by step learning objective and controlled testing. Several folks have given suggestions that help break down learning exposure into manageable bites.

Don't keep doing the same actions over and over expecting a different result

BebuLamar

But we're only online so we really can't help the OP much. We have to resource to a lot of guessing. I think the OP needs someone who can be there and teach. But with the risk of guessing I think because the OP said he is interested in wildlife I guess it means animals that are far away and moving fast like birds. In that case I think it's better to start with more down to earth subjects like my dog in the cup.
Oh well money can buy better result. You can contract a photographer to take the pictures for you.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Yep, I'm encouraging the OP to go elsewhere

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I encouraged the OP to break through the distance gap of the internet and present an image for technical review and detailed discussion. That seems to have gone nowhere.