Ace and Deuce wrote:
I got my camera 23 months ago, and I've taken over 75,000 pics so far. I taught myself everything I know, so I say... shoot, shoot, and shoot some more, but learn what works, what doesn't, and figure out WHY things worked and didn't work. Also, try shooting everything. Shoot close-ups, people, landscapes, cars, planes, animals, etc... You can always learn something, whether it's what to do, or what NOT to do.
I agree completely. One of the things to overcome when learning something is the fear of embarrassing yourself and screwing it up. Don't be afraid to take pictures that suck. You will learn from them. Think about what you can do differently in each situation. Then when something comes up, like the family gathering or the family of deer in your yard, you'll hopefully remember what works best and do it.