Any advice on using a DSLR in manual mode?

So, I have had my DSLR for a few months now and I'm tired of using it in Auto mode. I figure since I have such an awesome camera, I should learn how to use it - in manual mode.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated, as well as links to resources that could help me.

I only have the kit lens, as of now (18-55mm, and I guess I should mention that I have a Nikon D3000.). I'm going to buy a new lens soon. It's just a matter of figuring out which will work best for my needs. I mainly take pictures of my daughters. I want a lens that can achieve a lower aperture. And is not too bulky!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Only advice i can offer is: KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND HOW TO TAKE PROPER PHOTOS!

Here's a link to an article with a real short crash course in shooting in manual.
http://www.ehow.com/...-dslr.html

For a little more in depth I recommend the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

Just use the light meter to determine the aperture and shutter speed settings.

Be aware that slower shutter speeds can cause blur due to camera or subject movement and that under low lighting conditions, you will need to increase the sensors light sensitivity by raising the ISO on the camera

Faster lenses do cost more and are by nature bulky (larger opening at the front of the lens). Visit a camera store to see how "bulky" various fast lenses are and then make your choice

The favorite fast lens for shooting people is the Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.4

http://www.nikonusa.com/...F1.4G.html

Learn how to read the built in light meter. It looks something like this.

|… |… |… |… |

When you half press you shutter release to auto focus, it will also measure the light.

When the indicator is in the middle, you have "perfect" exposure. Too much to either side indicates too much light or too little.

Adjust the exposure by adjusting one of 3 things. ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed. You can also adjust existing light as well (open a blind, turn on some lights, use a flash… ).

Once you've mastered the exposure triangle (ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed) you'll never really move off Manual Mode.

Remember not to reduce your shutter speed to much or you'll end up with either motion blur from the action in your scene or camera shake blur… For hand held shots, try to stay over 1/50th.

Another piece of advice is to shoot in RAW mode when shooting in manual so that if your settings are perfect you can still recover (or lose) some light in post production and RAW just makes it much easier and cleaner.

Now as far as equipment goes. One lens that pretty much every photog has is a 50mm f1.8.It. Cheap (140$Can) but you have a D3000 so that lens won't auto focus for you. It is a fabulous lens… At least for it. Price bracket.

The 50mm f1.8 is very small (smaller than the 18-55).

I'm not a Nikon guy (Canon) so I don't know if they have a version of this lens that will auto focus with your body. Ask at the store.

My personal favorite walk-around / portrait lens is a 24-70 f2.8 L series from Canon (Nikon has a similar lens) but it's worth more than your actual camera (1500$Can) so I'm not sure if it. In your price range.

I'd also recommend getting a shoe mount flash that can pivot both up/down and left/right. When taking portraits, don't aim the flash straight at the subject. Bounce the light off the ceiling or a wall.

Goto youtube and look up "photography using the histogram to get great exposure".