I think the fellow suggesting you use manual mode was kidding you. I'd use the automatic and semi-automatic modes to get you started. Modern DSLR's do an amazing job of capturing a scene. Try the automatic modes first, then use Manual if something fools the camera's meters.

For out door pictures of cars in good light, try setting the mode to Aperture Priority... the ISO to 100... the aperture to F/8.0... and take some pictures.

For indoor shots, or any low lighting shots, change the aperture to the widest opening your lens has... like F/1.8 or F/2.0... and make a few test shots... if they are still dark, try bumping the ISO to 400, 800, or 1600. You'll see the pictures start coming around.

There is quite a learning curve when switching from a fully automatic camera to a SLR. Don't give up! The trick is to practice and study to see how the pictures turn out. You usually take lots of bad pictures before you start taking better pictures.

Here's a link to a freeware viewer, Irfanview, that is very useful. It's a good viewer of images in general and has a lot of cool features. Download and install the Plug-Ins too. One of the tricks is to use Irfanview to look at all the EXIF settings in an image. They'll show you exactly what camera settings were in use when the picture was taken. Very useful for figuring out what is goin on... Have fun...

 

Congratulations, Ryan!

I'm glad to see you getting a nice Digital SLR. You'll love it... You ave a great eye for photography... we're expecting some good pictures from you!

 

Thanks. LR is the best!

 

Ive been trying it all. I shot a bunch on auto mode then manual mode. Im really into photo's that have effect to them. Thats why I want to learn manual mode more. Seems like Ive learned a bunch already from this site and the manual that came with the camera. All in all I guess its just going to take time with lots of shots. Thanks for the link Ill be sure to try that out.
Anyone know what kind of lens this was shot with?

 

You're welcome. Have fun shooting!

Pentax...

 

Wow thats cool!

 

seems like a fisheye lens

 

Kind of sux that the weather is shiet. I did have a chance to take a couple photos of things other then family while at the parents house. Ive been trying to learn how to shoot where one thing is in focus and the thing further is not. There was a flower close to my parents deck and with the barn in the background I thought I would give it a shot. I know its the dead of winter so the flower isnt all that but you get the idea. Man I cant wait for spring!

 

welcome to the world of photography steve.

i landed myself in the canon crowd and just started gathering parts of the puzzle.

canon xti
canon 24-105 mm f/4L IS
bogen/manfrotto 3021BPRO tripod and 322RC2 head
b+w 77 mm MRC UV filter

-future plans include the canon 10-22mm lens

i really don't know much about photography, but with the right tools, there's plenty of time to learn

 

You'd want to adjust Aperture (F stop) for that blurred effect. The lower the f stop # the more blurred background (bokeh) and vice versa.

Here's a basic tutorial guide that may help you a bit.
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/index.html

 

Nice shots... did you use manual focus or adjust the focus point to be over the flower?