Helawk, I got serious about photography when I was 13. I started with simple fundamentals: what does my camera do? If I do this, what results will I produce. It's kinda like cooking. I know what onions taste like, I know what bratwurst tastes like, I know what cheese tastes like... but together what a great combo! Look around online, there are virtually thousands upon thousands of beginner's "how to" guides on photography. And don't read just one, read two or three or six. You might miss something.
Viz is right though, you will shoot better with a Nikon
Viz, I love the last two the best. Excellent shots. Looks like you found the perfect aperture setting for the last pic to really make that Juke pop. I've got a pic similar to the second one of your kiddo too...
PB3, that's not a bad idea. I'll update my original post with my info as soon as I get these next few pics up.
My goal for every photo is to use the least amount of post-processing possible. For most, this is zero, and I like that. If I do anything at all it's for fixing any slight flaws in the photo (my D80 had a bad dust problem, so I spent a lot of time fixing sensor flaws).
Ok, batch for today:
Britsol Night Race - Sharpie 500 - August 23, 2008; Shocked Girl - Bele Chere, Asheville, NC 2008; Orangutan in Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia 2010.