Hey all,

So as the title reads, I got a Canon T3i about 9 months ago right before I moved to Australia. To be honest, I haven't really used the camera much at all with how busy I've been at work. Which also means I haven't had time to really learn about photography properly. I know this is a great camera, and it's leaps & bounds over what I can understand at this point. Definitely why I'm coming to ask a few of you veterans to point me in the right direction for learning. Websites, books, anything really. One of my biggest regrets in college was not taking a photography course, but I just didn't have a lot of extra money to buy a nice camera on top of what I was dropping into the celica and 350z.

I've already found some new lenses that I want in my price range, but thought it best to take a step back and learn the basics before I complicate things.

Input and guidance appreciated. Thanks

first lens purchase - canon 50mm 1.8 II

all I can say it go out and experiment. Push setting to their max and see how they affect the image.

this seems like a good guide
http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/camera/settings/

I would start out using the Av (aperture priority, where you primarily control just the F-stop) and Tv (where you primarily control the shutter speed) the camera takes care of the rest. It helps you learn alot faster rather than keeping it in Auto mode.

refer to that link, after reading it, it is pretty thorough

Be careful with the Rebels and heavier lenses. They have plastic ring mounts and will break if you don't properly support large lenses.

But, nice pickup. I'm a Canon fan. Dad always used one and I fell in love with his camera's when I was helping him shoot weddings.

Starting off, I'd say pick up a decent wide angle. You don't need a super expensive L glass with image stabilization... just get a cheap one to experiment with.

L glass is a worthy investment. I have had a few different L lenses and I didn't get hurt on any of them.
I bought a 70-200 2.8 IS used for $1500, I had it for almost 2 years and sold it for exactly what I paid, less shipping and
insurance, basicly I rented it for 2 years and it cost me 60 bucks. If you buy them used you can almost always get what you
paid, and in some cases you can get more than what you paid. I would just shoot with the kit lens for a while and experiment,
you will figure out what you like shooting, then make purchases. Read the info on POTN, that site is full of great stuff.
I shoot mostly outdoors, I always try to keep my ISO under 400 to reduce noise, I usually shoot auto WB, in manual mode.
I shoot some football, and wildlife, most of which, I try to keep my shutter up high enough to stop motion blur and adjust my aperture to get as much depth as I can. Just start shooting testing your limits,
and most important, have fun.