Anyone want to tell me the basics of a camera? Like Nikon D5100?

I got this camera as a birthday present last year from my parents. Since I'm Ito photography but, I'm not use to this kind of
Camera I used a retro Nikon camera from like the 90's so this is Much different and I'm still not use to it! So any help would be appreciative! This is my camera Nikon- D5100 16.2-Megapixel DSLR Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens - Black anyways thanks

The first thing you do is sit down and read and study the owner's manual. Do it with camera in hand so you can actually do the things the manual shows and describes. You can skip all the silly garbage like "don't use it in the bathtub" lol, but do spend lots of quality time learning the mechanics of how to use and set the camera.

Then, order this book from Amazon. It will help you tremendously on developing your skill at actually making good photos:

http://www.amazon.com/...81740502X/

Steve P's answer could have been mine - word for word. Had a look at the preview to that book too, and it looks better than any I've recommended.

Thumbed up Steve P - you don't really need another answer to this!

Another good option is to join a local Photography Club, you can't beat having an experienced photographer right there with you when out on a shoot, within a year you will be in control of your camera taking the shots you want.

Telling people who have no experience of photography to 'read the manual' is probably the most useless piece of advice you can give, it could be written in ancient Greek for all the good it is, essential when you know what it's talking about, confusing when you don't.

As an example (and there are many more) it will tell you how to set the EV compensation, an essential piece of knowledge to know how this camera does it, but it won't tell you WHY you need to do it or how it can effect your images. Camera manuals list the 'nuts and bolts' of a camera, nothing else.

Photography is not rocket science, but it is counter intuitive. Remote and book learning doesn't work too well in the initial stages of learning, some guidance is needed, clubs can provide that - very cheaply, as well as getting you into local places that the general public doesn't have access to, running competitions to see how you are improving and open the gateway to international competitions if you want to follow it that far. Even help in creating portfolios for acceptance by the Royal Photographic Society if you want.

Get a copy of D5100 for Dummies. I have found it much more helpful and easier to understand then the users manual.