gwilliams6

Go to Adorama TV online. They have hundreds of video tutorials covering all aspects of photography and camera settings. The 1 on 1 series and other series by Mark Wallace are extremely helpful and easy to grasp. I used them as teaching aids for my university photo class students.
https://www.google.com/search?q=adorama+tv%2C+mark+wallace+1+on+1+series&rlz=1C1CHBH_enUS870US870&sxsrf=ALeKk00vTVmVEm2wyfhYIKUjk2yxmmKFRQ%3A1623332319644&ei=3xXCYLHfJo3btQactI74Bg&oq=adorama+tv%2C+mark+wallace+1+on+1+series&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EANQAFgAYP0vaAFwAHgAgAH5AogB-QKSAQMzLTGYAQCqAQdnd3Mtd2l6wAEB&sclient=gws-wiz&ved=0ahUKEwjxyo6SmI3xAhWNbc0KHRyaA28Q4dUDCA4&uact=5

anotherview Loc: California

Photography functions as a craft. Learning photography thus requires practice doing it over time.

kscanman Loc: Wisconsin

Mark Wallace: Understanding the exposure triangle

https://youtu.be/3eVjUrY9a9c

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

ERP1938, as someone noted earlier, the mistake is trying to learn camera settings without understanding the things they are based on.
Do a few days of google on the exposure triangle. There are plenty of great youtube videos on it as well.
Once you get it down, the main settings will make a lot more sense.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Here’s my opinion at a higher level. As a Corporate Training manager in a mid sized company for many years I came to the same conclusion as many training gurus have; adult learning is primarily experiential. You can read or watch or listen all you want but at some point you will only learn concepts by doing. Do and see, repeat many times. It takes at least 60 repetitions to develop a habit whether good or bad. So as some have said here, study a little then go do it and check results. You will improve faster that way. I can almost guarantee it.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Also in general I have found that if you identify something that’s a problem for you, UHH members are quick to try and help out provided you give them enough info. They have helped me considerably over the last 3 years

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Looking through this thread, I don't see any point where you defined "camera settings." Are you referring to aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, or are you referring to the much broader number of settings your camera contains?

eagle76sct Loc: 10930

I understand your frustration after 3 years. I am at the same place sometimes. I have the same camera and about the same amount of time in with it. There are times i switch over to P mode and check myself with the settings and compare them to what i am taking.
I am not perfect i use auto or p mode and so what. There are a lot of excellent suggestions here try some of them. Tha k you for being honest and speaking up about your struggles. You have also helped me. I know the one thing a lot of friends and an instructor in a class i took said.. Practice practice practice and when your done practice and take more pictures. You may take 100 and get 1 or 2 good ones. I know it's frustrating. Thank you..

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

If reading isn't how you learn, maybe take an Intro to Digital Photography class in person through your local camera store. Now that covid is waning, things are really opening up. I taught University Earth Science for 30 years and know that different people learn differently. Take it one step at a time rather than trying to eat the entire elephant at a single sitting. Be patient with yourself and try not to get frustrated.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

Good point. Hard to offer advice, when the EXACT problem isn't stated. Some are thinking Exposure Triangle is the issue, and he very well may fully understand that.

I find myself baffled at times with my fairly new D5600. Exposure triangle - understand that. Exposure modes, got that also. EC to override the camera - I understand the concept, but need to explore more - along with spot metering. Full Manual - I want to get to that point, but I need to be using my camera much more often, a couple of times a month won't do. I think that's the solution for me (and the OP).
I've got 3 buttons on camera customized for BBF, Shutter Mode and adjusting ISO. BBF quite easy to remember, as one has to use it constantly. But with my infrequent use of my camera, I'll be hunting around for a setting, forgetting that I assigned it to a customized button.

Many settings can be changed outside of the menu system, where they are easier to change quickly. 2 years now, starting to know that "Info" menu better.
When I need to change a setting that's only in the menu, I'm hunting for a while . . . While using my camera the other day, it was in burst mode, which I didn't want.
Did I remember that I had that assigned to a button on the front of the camera - of course not.

I was reading a Ken Rockwell camera review the other day, where he said something to the effect "I've been using nothing but matrix metering since it came out in 1983". (Referring to Nikon's first use I think)
Rockwell uses nothing else? - That just doesn't seem right, but I'm pretty much doing the same.
Minolta had matrix metering in its SRT-101 in 1966. My first 3 SLRs were all Minolta's. Last one purchased for it's auto-focusing. First one for the reviews I read about it's matrix metering.
Film was easier. No exposure triangle. Aperture / shutter speed - 2 variables. Want to change ISO - change film. Pretty limited ASA range with film. Being able to change ISO on the fly with DSLRs - amazing stuff.
All the settings though - mind boggling - many I haven't even touched. I haven't taken my camera off auto-white balance.

And then there's post processing . . . I've been shooting RAW + JPG, one of these days . . . , right now I'm in the midst of a 1200 mile move.
Last resort - cheat, put your xxx dollar camera in "AUTO" and get the shot. More often than not you get an image that's a keeper.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It has already been mentioned and I will repeat it also, begin with basic photography. Learn what apertures and shutter speeds are and their inter relations that in photography is called RECIPROCITY. Understand what ISO is and how it relates to the exposure of the subject. Understand the exposure meters in your camera and how they work. Apertures and shutter speeds can be used creatively like slowing the shutter speed to simulate motion or using a large aperture to blur the background. This is all basic photography.

Having a photo club near by is also useful to learn. In all of them there are people who have been photographing for many years and have accumulated many years of experience. I am sure they will be glad to help you.
As was mentioned by Bob, do not try to cover a lot and remember that babies born before the ninth month are all premature. Take one thing at a time, make notes and practice. You will get there.

LittleBit Loc: St. Louis, MO

I have made great progress in my understanding by viewing, note taking, studying and reviewing YouTube videos. You can pretty much find anything you need to know on any camera, lens, settings, application, and more.
You can study at your own rate and rewind or backup the video as many times as needed.
Just go on YouTube and search what you need help with.

photoman43

Ask an experienced photographer to show you how to get the best from your camera with the lens you use the most. I have done this numerous times for friends.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I find that while viewing videos is very helpful, reading a book about the camera is even more helpful, as I can read a section, then immediately try out what I'd read using the camera.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Time/Life had a photography book series covering in detail all the basics. It was several large books and was an excellent resource. The series was published in the 1970's, but stll relevant today. Cameras have changed but the basics of exposure have not. If you have a large library near. Check out their books on photography and exposure.
If you are going to take exposures in manual mode, write down each of the shots exposure values and look at each picture to see the results. Compare the information of each shot and learn by what you see.
Mundy