Know Your Camera
Probably the most important tip I can give you is this: get to know your camera. If you’re like me, you probably want to dive right in and start shooting right away. It doesn’t have to be the very first thing you do, but force yourself to review and understand the manual. You don’t want to be fumbling with the controls and trying to figure out what each setting does while you’re out trying to capture memorable moments. As you go through the manual, find the parts and familiarize yourself with the settings described. Know what each part does. Experiment with different features and settings. One of the great things about digital cameras is that they allow you to see your results and note the subtle and not so subtle differences right away. The time you spend learning your camera will pay off so make sure you make the effort to do it.