I've played some with different point and shot digital cameras. Recently bought a Olympus SW 1030 for it's "world proof features." I also have a Canon PowerShot A710 IS. So far I like the Olympus just fine and the Canon has always performed for me, but I'd like to maximize the use of all their features. I've always thought I had an eye for seeing things in a photographers sense, but haven't been able to make my camera take the pictures I see in my mind. I'm still getting familiar with the "digital language," I recently read Photo Johns article on basic digital camera use, pretty helpful and gave me some reference points. I guess I'm looking for a starting point. Information is certainly useful but its somewhat overwhelming to read a manual or a how to guide and pick a starting point. One thing I've learned over the years is that I'm not the only one to ever feel a certain way, so hopefully someone else is reading this and saying yeah, me to. So, where does one start? Photo-John suggested the manual, sounds good to me. Then what, I hardly know what any of the terms mean. To me finding out just what my camera does and doesn't do is the most important thing, then I can work around that. I like taking nature photos mostly in the redwoods in low light conditions. Other times its bright but foggy and white out. The low light condition I believe ask of me to somehow produce more light,without shaking? Where the bright conditions ask me to somehow reduce light? Does one just start arbitrarily taking pictures and turning knobs and pushing buttons? Or is there a method to discovering how to take nice photos. I guess I could leave the settings on auto, but I'd never be satisfied. running out or space, part 2 to follow.