I've been very busy! I bought the book you recommended and now reading it the second time. I have taken at least 100 pics per day and can say it's sinking in....finally. Only a few have been keepers but every single one has a lesson embedded. Thanks for your advise. I'm having fun with reflections today and here's one I took this morning of a log church window.

Thanks for the tips. I think I got ahead of myself or at least ahead of my knowledge. I'm headed back to the basics until I better understand how each setting effects the other. I did have my lens set for image stabilization....I need a setting for me.

Thanks...ordered today!

Great advise! Thanks!

Thanks! I did set the spot meter...I'll see if that helps. When that OMG shot appears I do tend to forget the half shutter first, especially when the subject is a flying bird.

I'll stick to stationary objects until I get the hang of this. Totally enjoying this and can't get enough.

Thanks Don. I'm reading Rebel T31 for Dummies and it is helpful. I think to begin I'm just going to stick to one object and change the settings to see what they do. With birds they're flying (shutter priority), standing on branches (hard to focus unless I go manual) and then just out in the wide open (depth of field). Maybe I got to anxious to try them all at once.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I recently purchased my first dslr. A Canon Rebel T3i with an 18-135 Canon lens. I went to a bird viewing area and took about 185 shots on the fully auto setting and the lens on auto focus and image stabilization. I was somewhat pleased but felt they could be crisper. I thought my problem was related to holding the camera properly. Today I went back to the viewing area with the camera set on TV for shutter priority since most shots involved action. 286 and most were blurry. I'm sure I'm not understanding how to set the shutter speed yet. Is there a guide that would give the basic breakdown for stopping action to blur? I did notice at one point with the shutter speed of 640 the ISO was 3200. That seemed very high but I'm not sure how to compensate yet. Any suggestions for a beginner to ease into understanding the ISO, shutter speed, aperture triangle.

I did just that and found the Canon was my clear choice. Thanks.

Thanks everyone. After much research, including some great stuff posted on this site, I narrowed it down to a Canon Rebil T3i or Nikon 3200. I ultimately went with the Canon because it felt very comfortable in my hand. I'm looking forward to your continued support..

Thanks. I have a lot to learn.

Unlike computers then? They change so often it seems I hear "that's obsolete" every 6 months.

Thanks. Narrowing down camera choices is pretty daunting for a beginner.

My husband and I retired two years ago and now travel full time. I've discovered a new interest in digital photography. I have a point and shoot Nikon Coolpix S9300 that I've exhausted my interest in since the off auto selections are very limited. I attended a Nikon class in Scottsdale, AZ and now biting the bit for a new camera. I've had my eye on the Nikon Coolpix P510 but I'm afraid it will also be too limiting. I did try a Cannon Rebel T3i and wonder if it would be a better choice I can grow in to. Suggestions for this newbie very welcome!