New to the SLR world

[Monny2AE]

My FIL recently passed away and we inherited his Canon EOS 400D. (It's such an honor to have his prized possession) I'm slowly learning to use it. It's a big change from my Nikon Coolpix point and shoot camera but I'm so excited to expand my novice photography skills! Anyone have any resource books or sites they can recommend for a newbie like me? I'm just getting used to some of the terminology and basic manual settings.

 

[eblong]

Here are a few links that might help.
There are tons of places to learn, from very basic to very advanced, but I'll stop with just two The first is the Canon learning website, and the second is a more advanced sites.

http://learn.usa.canon.com/home/home.shtml. Some real good intro stuff.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com. A more advanced site, but they have some good tutorials on general techniques.

 

[SrisonS]

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. It's very easy to follow, with GREAT examples.

There is also a newer version out, or about to come out (not sure of the exact Edition number).

 

[n3rdgrl]

def check out scott kelby's books "Digital Photography". Some of the terms can be confusing he kinda throws it out there with simpler words, ideas, and tips. I also second the Understanding exposure book and also google "digital photography school" or dPs... i would put the link myself but since I'm new here it won't let me... oh well.

Don't forget- never be afraid of pressing the shutter button, take many many pictures and look over each of them to see what you did well and what you can improve on!!

 

[krb2g]

Definitely second Understanding Exposure--it particularly helped clarify what aperture to start trying when and where to meter (lots of sites just say "meter" and that was always very opaque to me).

Also, I enjoy www.wdwphotography.com and www.disneytouristblog.com (Tom Bricker's site, he posts as WDWFigment). They are both photography blogs with a Disney slant (or Disney blogs with a photography slant)--and lots of their tips are directed toward the parks (though I really started following photography blogs immediately *after* I got back from my last trip to the parks and I think (hope) my photography is improving by applying them in the world outside the World). Even if I weren't into trying to learn my SLR, I would read these sites for the great pictures.

If you have any interest in photoshop, I recommend Scott Kelby's 7 Point System for Understanding Photoshop CS3. I am working my way through this book with Photoshop CS5 and having no difficulty. It's really opened up post-processing for me. (It's worth noting that I was pointed toward both these books by the "What photography books should I read" post on Disney Tourist Blog).

 

[Monny2AE]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions for sites and books! Now I just need to find some down time to learn all of this!!!!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Also I would recommend the Magic Lantern Guide for your camera. IMO it is better than your instruction manual on how to use your camera, controls, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Lantern-Guides-Canon-Digital/dp/1600590993