WayneW Loc: South Carolina

Just to add something quickly: Don't snap the shutter release... push it slowly, just like the trigger on a firearm.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Hmmm I was going to say take it off auto. At least with my camera, auto is the worst for sharpness. It will grab a shot and the color will be OK but it ain't going to be sharp.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

This is one of the best books on photography and exposure I own. I believe this book will encourage you:

Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera https://www.amazon.com/dp/1607748509/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cRORzbC44FCJ9

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

I was given a D3300 a few months ago and like you was having lots of difficulties understanding all the functions. I bought the Dummies book for this model and must admit it helped me a lot as written in plain English. Manuals sometimes are not very easy to understand. Check Ebay as you might find cheap ones for your model. As others here suggested put it on Auto and practice practice practice...good luck

Yorkster Loc: North Yorkshire UK

One of the most basic attributes is to learn how to hold your camera steady. Youtube, google etc will provide plenty of tutorials. Also check if your lens has VR (vibration reduction) and that it's turned on.

ELNikkor

I sat alone in a room for 2 hours with my D5100 and tried every function of every menu. If I didn't understand it I looked it up in the manual.

dmannin1

Thank you all for the information and encouragement. I really appreciate it!

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

When you read books about cameras and exposure be sure to read books on digital cameras and not film cameras. Some things are opposite. Like an over exposure in film is dark but in digital an over exposure will be too light or even blown out by light. In film cameras the body is really not very important except that the shutter works smoothly and is timed right, all of the picture quality on a film camera is in the lens. With digital the body or more specifically the sensor and the processor are as important as the lens. Other than that they are about the same.

PhotonHog Loc: Annapolis

What a cool gift. I love getting things like that. So go out and take pictures - lots of pictures. Try out all the modes including full manual and play with it. Use the histogram. Have fun.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

Yes, full auto is a good start. Get a different manual for your camera, such as one by David Busch. Steve Perry's new on-line book, Secrets of Nikon Focus System(correct me if I am incorrect) is a fantastic book to help you understand the Nikon focusing system. Good luck.

Bobcat87

Yes, read the manual for sure. I recently got a Nikon D5600 and felt the same way. I would also recommend the "Dummies" books. I bought one for my camera (Nikon D5600 for Dummies) and I'm sure there's one for your camera. I find it very helpful, because, unlike the manual (which explains all the features), the book has information that helps you apply the information. I happen to be a person who likes to hold onto an actual book so I can highlight info and refer back to it often. I have been going through the book, camera in hand, and practicing as I read. I just camp out on a section that interests or challenges me until I feel comfortable with what I have learned. Don't feel like you have to learn everything at once.

Paul Buckhiester Loc: Columbus, GA USA

Ditto on CreativeLive's Greengo fast start.

jmvaugh Loc: Albuquerque

Besides YouTube, buy a David Busch's book on your model of Nikon. Read it and keep it as a reference guide. It's significantly easier to get through than the owners manual and he shows you how to set up you camera for portraits, landscapes, flash, birds in flight, kids, wildlife, etc. I used his book along side the owners manual. Made the mysteries of the many settings understandable and fun.

Best of luck!

lamontcranston

Putting your new camera on "Automatic Mode" is a good suggestion. It's pretty hard to get a bad photo with it set at Auto. When trying to learn more about a specific camera I have found the "Books For Dummies" series to be very helpful in pointing out features that you will never learn reading the Owner's Manual included with most new cameras. The "Nikon D3400 For Dummies" would be a good place to start. Then supplement that information with Youtube videos. Learning a new camera system can be fun. As your photos improve, you will want to learn more. It's all part of the process and the end result is worth the effort. If you have a specific question about a camera function or feature that you don't understand, ask that question on this forum. There are a lot of good knowledgeable people who will answer your questions.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3400-Dummies-Lifestyle/dp/1119336244/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504618094&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+d3400+for+dummies

David Busch's book on the Nikon D3400 is another excellent book, though it is a bit more advanced than the "Dummies" book. The Busch book on the Sony A6000 was a great help to me when I bought my first mirrorless camera. Read the reviews and see which one would suit your needs more.

https://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-Nikon-Digital-Photography/dp/1681982307/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504618467&sr=8-1&keywords=david+busch+on+the+nikon+d3400