MountainDave

I used a T3i for years and learned to use the advanced modes with it. I found a book by David Busch to be very helpful. I would personally recommend learning one mode at a time. Personally, I use Av mode most of the time since I shoot outdoors 99% and depth of field is the most important adjustment. If you are thinking of upgrading, Canon has just put the 77D on sale for 649. Internally this is like the 7Ti but has advanced controls like higher priced models. It's a screaming bargain at this price IMO.

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

Two books have been helpful especially - "Canon EOS Rebel T3i for Dummies" and another titled "The Beginner's Photography Guide." The book for Dummies is very wordy but has everything covered by that particular camera. If you can't find the book at Barns and Nobel just look it up on the net and use Amazoon to order. Also, use UTube for understanding your camera.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I'm surprised no one suggested "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Here it is for less than $4
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/understanding-exposure-3rd-edition-bryan-peterson/1101870300/2679548349810?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_New+Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP164949&gclid=CjwKCAjww6XXBRByEiwAM-ZUIB3ed25re_wpSw32hClERSiJSAtJk11LhV0wdvCoHyVn3v5fFEUzvhoCcLUQAvD_BwE

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Here's another "vote" for Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure". I HIGHLY recommend it. He does a great job explaining how camera's work and why you use the different exposure controls. Should be requireed reading for anyone before they can join a forum and start asking questions!

Get Peterson's book and the user's manual for your T3i (if you don't already have it, download a PDF for free from Canon website)... and David Busch's guide book specifically for the T3i. Those three will provide the majority of what you need to know. (There are other guide books besides Busch's, which may be good too... check the reviews on Amazon... Personally I'm not a fan of the "Dummies" books, but some people like them and find them helpful). There are lots of other good books about photography... some delving more deeply into various specialties that might interest you. But I'd start with those three: Peterson's, your T3i user manual, and Busch's or one of the other guide books specifically for the T3i.

Next step is simply to get out and shoot A LOT... Go experiment and learn "hands on"... Make mistakes, learn from them, and celebrate your successes. As already suggested, a local camera club can be a good way to do that. Meetup.com used to be a good way to find a local group (I'll leave it to you to check there). It's a lot more fun and interesting, IMO, to go out with a small group of photographers and bounce ideas off each other. That can really help stir up your creativity and take you some places you might have otherwise overlooked. Alternatively, take some local classes. There are online courses, too, if you can't find anything locally.

bittermelon

You've been shooting photo for a very long time and you have no understanding of ISO and settings on your camera?

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I was the 14th reply and did not mention Peterson. I think I just assumed Peterson had already been suggested. It is usually the first book mentioned. And there is a reason for that.

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

WOW - I too have a T3i and find that the camera's LCD screen answers a lot of those question if you spend some time going thru some tests by just watching the screen as you adjust some exposure time, ISO , and F stops - start with a F 11 an ISO of 200 then change the exposures from 1/150 down to 1/25 and note the settings where your LCD looks the best to you. It will not take you long to get the feel of what exposure to use with a ISO setting - 100 to 400 are my most used ISO.
Youtube videos are my go-tos when I want to learn a specific with this T3i or most any thing else - the are usually several to watch and learn from.

Harvey

Orson Burleigh Loc: Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Fellow UHH habitués DavidPine and Ambrose in 2014 pointed to a UK based photographer: Mike Browne. Mr. Browne's technique and fundamentals oriented instructional videos (on YouTube) are well worth the investment of a few minutes of time to watch and however much more time is available for cogitation and experimentation.

MidnightManiac

Tony Northrups book Stunning Digital Photography is a great help. He and Chelsea (his wife) also has many videos on You Tube. They also do a live show on You Tube every Thursday evening pertaining to a particular subject.