I kind of answered this in another question, but first, take a class. Find a photographer in your area who teaches a one day class on how to use your camera and if you ask me that is the best money you will ever spend. Mine only cost me about a hundred dollars. Second, use manual mode when you go out and are just practicing and trying things. But don't feel like it makes you less of a photographer to shoot in automatic when you need to make sure the shot it taken and successfully!