Having used a DSLR for several years gives you a good start, since shooting in Automatic lets you concentrate on composition. My first digital was a point and shoot without many adjustable options. When I bought my first DSLR, Nikon D7000, I decided that I needed to learn to use it in other modes. I started with Aperture-Priority and Matrix metering. Nothing fancy. I also experimented with Shutter-Priority. The A setting worked for quite a while, but eventually I felt the need to have full control over the image creation. So I set out to learn to use Manual. A lot of discussion has occurred over what is the best mode to use, but really it depends on the situation. Just like there are different spoons that work best for different purposes - they will all do basically the same thing, but some do it better than others! But you will learn all of this gradually.

First thing is to read the camera manual at least twice. Then keep it handy for reference. Many do not like the manual, and that is understandable. It often reads like a translation from a foreign language by someone who is not familiar with how to make things clear in English! (Wonder why...) I noticed in the manual for my new camera that this issue is much improved. But the bottom line is that the information you need IS in there! You won't understand it all at once, but over time, and with some experimentation as well as asking questions. Learning the functions available on your camera and how to use them well is first priority.

There are a lot of resources out there for additional instruction, just have to find them. When you get a suggestion for something to read, try your local library first, rather than going out and buying it. If they do not have some of the books suggested, they may be able to get them for you from another library in their system. Online there are websites like KelbyOne (Scott Kelby also writes good books) and CreativeLive, where you can view videos on different aspects of photography. KelbyOne is a subscription site, for an annual fee. CreativeLive is free to join, they have a lot of free broadcasts on a lot of different topics, and if you wish to view any of those again, you can purchase the right to view it at any time and at your own pace. Both sites use very good instructors and the topics are useful and well-presented. Many of those photographers/instructors also have their own websites and tutorials available! When you see a photographer whose work you like, look for a website - not all of them offer free tutorials, but many offer a mixture of free and paid.

For editing programs, the Adobe CC subscription is generally considered by many to be the gold standard ($9.99/month). LR and PS are included, and you will always have the most current updated version. You can get a 30-day free trial of each of them separately which lets you both use them and decide if you like them. http://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/catalog/desktop.html?promoid=NQCJRCJ2&mv=other Learning curve is there, but for LR it is not that difficult. For PS the curve is steeper, but it is such a great supplement to LR that it is worth the effort. A lot of other good programs are available, the choice is up to you.

Hope this helps. Have fun!

Susan

This was great Susan thank you so much.
I have started to read the manual, as well
As several YouTube tutorials and different articles I've found online. The most frustrating thing for me is just having to change my settings for every picture. I know with he kids I need to increase my shutter speed as well as if I want to focus more on them I increase the Aperature (f3.8) I have one of those larger lens as well. The 18-200 mm.... with my canon I had 2 lens to take pictures of my son playing football. I had the regular short one and the 55-300 mm. But again most those pictures were put on sports mode or Automatic. I guess my frustration is I want clear pictures without having to edit them. Is that possible. Do most people still edit their photos... I will attach a few pictures I took back with my canon. But then again it's those hurry and take 5000 pictures and choose 3 good ones. Very time consuming. I guess I just expect more from a new camera.

1) Get David Busch's Nikon D7200 book, it is the manual that the manual forgot.
2) Outside, select Manual mode and go with Basic Daylight Exposure f/16, 1/16th sec, ISO 200 - also called Sunny 16.
3) For interior, leave in "P" mode until you get used to the camera. Get a flash diffuser for the pop-up flash like Gary Fong's Puffer, will diffuse light, prevent those harsh shadows.
4) For editing, Adobe Lightroom is unparalleled. For a lower cost alternative, look at ACDSee Pro.
5) For Backup, get Dropbox. Keep all your work in the Dropbox folder and it will be automatically backed up to the Cloud.
6) That's some ears on that kid.

We have a 20 month old granddaughter. She's our first and they live in another state. When we do see them I take plenty of pic's. One tip I got from an online pro tutorial was that you need at least 1/200 - 1/250 s.s. for candid shots with little kids. This has proven to be good advice for me. Indoors I generally use ISO 800, f-4 to 5.6, auto WB and TTL flash with the clear diffuser and bounced off the ceiling. I just checked the stuff I took at Christmas. It was all done at 1/160 to 1/200, f-4 to f-5. ISO 800, auto WB with TTL flash diffused and bounced. I was pretty happy with the results. I used a Nikon D90 w/24-120 lens and SB700 flash.

I'm pretty sure that soft images are often operator error that occurs when you see a "moment" and in the eagerness to capture it we rush the shot and punch the button or shoot before the camera has even stopped moving. Hope what I have said here is of some use to you.