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Where should I start?

Besides, if you're setting the manual functions to get "correct" exposure according to the camera's light meter, you're just wasting your time by shooting in full manual.
Then you discount the complete artistic control shooting in full manual acccords?
 
Im going against the groupe here, simply to put forth another point of view.
I think it is safe to assume that you have taken pictures before, just not with a DSLR. But because of this, you will have a newfound critique of you photos, and what works for you and what doesn't.

What I am going to say is sure, put it on AUTO and shoot away. Look at your stuff on the computer and decide what you like, what you don't and why. But most importantly, use the camera and learn it!

Then as you go through the books, you can start applying the lesson to things, such as one day shoot in Aperature Priority mode, then the next time shoot in Shutter priority mode and learn each of lessons as you come to them.

Learning about all this is important, but it's just as important to get out and start shooting.

IMHO Good luck and enjoy your new camera
 
Yep started with a D40 over 3yrs ago. And started a D40 blog with many Tutorials & Howto links to great tuts that could do it better than me at the time. So check out my ignored & not keep up anymore much. But does have a lot of beginner info there.

I started with (A) Aperture Priority mode. As was important to learn how aperture,depth of field was to the composition. And learning to watch the light & shadows and getting a handle on understanding light is a major ongoing learning experience. Shooting People,Vechicles,Sports & Wildlife are good opportunities to start learning (S) Shutter Priority mode. And find a Large percentage of shooters out there do the Majority of their shooting in Aperture Mode.

Would start with those two. Now I shoot mainly in Manual mode. But wouldn't recommend it till you have a good understanding of how Light & Shadows fit in with Aperture,Shutter and ISO Triangle.
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Besides, if you're setting the manual functions to get "correct" exposure according to the camera's light meter, you're just wasting your time by shooting in full manual.
Then you discount the complete artistic control shooting in full manual acccords?
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying :er:
 
Thanks everyone for all the advice. There are a lot of points of view represented and I will take it all on board. Obviously there are pros and cons to each opinion regarding what learning curve I will experience, so I will try all of them and see what works best for me. Thanks again.

-AJ
 

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