I would just like to thank you all so much for your views, advice and opinions, it has helped me a lot and I'm not going to worry too much now about using Auto. I am very excited about visiting Italy, I am going with my husband to Bologna, it looks amazing and there is plenty to see & do there. Robeng, your photo's of Italy are brilliant, the colours are beautiful, I love them all.
I will post a few photo's when I return and hope that you guys can give me your opions, good or bad.

Thank you Dave, I am going to spend the next couple of days shooting lots of pictures and 'practising' with the settings. Whilst in Italy I will use a mixture of Manual and Auto so that I have some good photos :D

I have looked the book up on Amazon and the reviews look good, I might just go ahead and order a copy.
Many thanks.

Hi Paul
Thank you very much for the info, extremely helpful. By the way, your lion photo is great.
Best wishes
Denise

Yes, maybe I am expecting too much but I am a quick learner and just want to try things out. Of course I will use the manual setting for a lot of shots but thought it would be good to also get some experience of manually adjusting the settings.
Thanks for any advice, it is much appreciated.

Thanks Lighthouse, some really helpful advice. Hopefully I will manage to take some photos good enough to post when I return from Italy.
Best wishes x

AF-S Nikkor 18-55, 1:3.5.5.6G &
Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED DX.
Thank you

I am fairly new to photography and going to Italy on holiday next week, I want to make take some great photos but am so confused about setting my camera's apperture, iso, shutter speed etc. Although I could use Auto, I really want to try to master the techniques. I have a 50mm standard lens & a 200mm zoom lens. Any help or advice would be gratefully received.