dslr - where do i begin?

[SLEE]

hey all as some of you already know i've made the plunge and bought a canon 450d.
i've been after a dslr for aaaages and i finally got one 

Mr anderson has recommended the exposure book i know lots of you on here have bought but are there any other books or web sites i should make a note of?
I'm never going to be a pro but id like to learn a bit more than i do now so my photos look cool
So techniques and tips would be great

thanks

[keri]

you have now entered a world of pain and expense, but also one of lots of fun 

If the book was Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson i too recommend it, tis a good read.

A good way to learn is to just play, understanding all the functions on your camera is also handy but that'll come with time.

Get yourself a flickr account and have a nose about, find someone else's photo that you like then try and imitate it, if you can't figure it out ask the photographer, most people are happy to share how they did it, if not, i'm sure some of the resident DDN experts will be able to help you out.

Since owning my DSLR i've progressed through several "styles" of photography (evident from my flickr account)
Started with HDR as i was a fan of StuckInCustoms - moved away from this recently unless the weather is completly pants.
Long Night exposures, after buying my tripod this seemed like the logical way to play, it is good fun, easy and you can get some great results
Long exposure day shots - generally i only take these when confronted with a waterfall - all you need is a ND filter and a tripod.

Most of my shots are seascape or landscape as that is what i am surrounded by, but i would like to get into people and objects, but that opens a whole new pain of lighting!

[keri]

Some other sites i've just dug out of my bookmarks:

http://digital-photography-school.com/
http://www.ephotozine.com/
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/ - not really a photography site, but it does have articles now and again that are useful e.g.

[slaughteredlamb]

Books can be good, very good and the Understanding Exposure is an absolute gem, but nothing beats just getting out there and taking photos. It all depends on what level of photographic knowledge you have and what you need help with.

If you know how to use the camera i.e. you know what the difference is between Aperture and Shutter Priority and you know what effect aperture has on depth of field and when you might want a shallow depth of field etc and actually you mostly need help with how to take certain types of photo or on the 'creative' side of things like composition, light etc then you can learn a lot of that by getting out there and just trying different things. If you know a 'photographer' i.e. an amateur photographer rather than a pro, then see if you can tag along with them one day and ask them questions. If you ever around the Worthing area I might be able to sort something out in this respect  You might also like books like The Digital SLR Handbook and The Digital Photography Book which might be useful

If you don't really know your ISO from your aperture, focal length from your shutter speed then start with a basic photography book that explains the various modes and when you might use them such as The Digital Photographers Handbook

[sarahA]

The Digital Photography Book

If you don't have a clue then that book is good without being too technical. I got it to understand a little more about my compact, and re-read it once I had my DSLR. It makes life easy if you're planning to go to a racing event, or take shots of a specific item. You can quickly look up how best to do your settings. Sure rules are there to be broken but it'll help get you some good shots quickly. I've got his second book too which is good as well.

[Britman]

Have to agree with above, also magazines can be very helpful. Maybe have a look on ebay for people selling older copies. But most of all, get out there snapping, that next shot could be a winner. And don't be afraid to ask a question no matter how trivial you may think it is.

Ephotozine has already been mentioned, I can recommend the site enough. I've been a member for years and been to several meets. The advice is free and people are more then willing to help guide you.

[SLEE]

thanks all appreciate the tips. could you share with me your flickr pages so i can see all your photos
i will check out the otehr books as well and the web sites. ive been snapping some pics in the garden to learn to use the camera.
playing with the aperture and the shutter sped etc to see how it effects the shot.

ive played with the av and tv mode as well as the manual mode.

i saw how dear the lenses can be too!

[Britman]

Contact request already sent and accepted. 

Man you like your Apple kit

[keri]

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ddn/ is the most important flickr link 

my stuff is at http://www.flickr.com/photos/funkysuite/

[slaughteredlamb]

My stuff is at Flickr and at my website Peakoverload.com

[SLEE]

Contact request already sent and accepted. 

Man you like your Apple kit

you sure you got the right person on flickr? i dont have any apple kit at all. my flickr user is http://flickr.com/sleedoh

thanks for the links ill be spying on your photos from now on

[Britman]

Really 

ahhhhhh it was purplelime and not you