chobit

IMHO, the 1st thing you want to do is get to know your camera (The equipment itself) in details.  What each button does, and how to change each of those setting..

Then start to read more about what each of those settings do.

You will find some functions are essential to learn, while other can wait.

eg. I have been to  many events where the person have some idea of what ISO setting does, but takes a long time to adjust it on the field.  That really has nothing to do with skills, it jus means he person isn't prepared....!

And yes, you should starting reading the basic and try out those basic such as:

- Aperture setting
- Shutter speed
- Aperture priority Mode in your camera
- Shutter priority mode in your camera
- Manual mode is good to try later
- Stop using any kind of program mode, since you can't hardly learn anything using those.. settnig
- The type of lightmeter your camera uses, and how it works, and what does it do
- Knowing how your lightmeter works, can how Aperture/shutter priority does.  You then can move on to learning how to fine tune your pictures exposure by using either exposure compensation, or manual mode where you can have full control of your aperture/shutter setting.
- If you just want practice, you can always start shooting everything in Jpg.
- Another other important piece to learn about is white balance, personally, I hardly ever use Auto WB, but again try it out, you can only learn how to make the correct setting after you know what isn't right.
- Don't mix up your learning process with your photos taking with the flashes.  When you are familiar with the basic above, you will then be able to add flash into the fomular and further develop your skills.

Obvioiusly, these are all just some techinical stuffs.., but the camera itself is just a tool, and it is difficult to capture great images consistantly unless you know how to use your tools well.

Let's talk about compostion when you post here again wth the question.

Have fun