Beginning Photography
Okay I'm just starting photography and I Really want to know how to take good pictures. Clever ideas, how to know which settings are best, what anything and everything is on my camera. It is really hard to use the scene stuff on my camera. I have a Nikon D3100 and i have a 18-55mm and 55-200 mm… I don't know what to do D: I want good pictures, and i want them to look really good. In darkness, with little light, or a lot of light. I want to know it all D: help T. T
I'm sorry to say that you are asking too much to address in a single answer. Your best bet would be to read your camera's manual. Read books about learning photography. Go on line and look for some free tutorials. There are hundreds of them. Just do a search on "Learn Photography". Then practice, practice, practice. Try to find some photographers, either in a club or on-line, who will give you tips and critique your efforts. Have fun.
Try taking a photography course or join a club. Once you know how to use your camera you will find it much more easy to take photographs. Just try taking photos at difference angles and soon you'll get better and better.
What you are asking is very broad, and entire books have been written about those subjects.
For general photography, I recommend the book "Understanding Exposure" by Brian Peterson. Its more like a how-to manual than a theoretical book.
For learning the specifics of how to use your camera, you will need to read your owners manual. All of the brands and models have the controls set up a bit differently.
My advise - look up the "rule of thirds" on the internet. Composure of your shot is the first step in producing great photos. Also - avoid using the "scene" settings on the camera. Learn how to use the (P)rogram mode. That mode lets you play with ISO, aperture, etc without having to go full (M)anual. Try out different settings to see what works for you.
You are correct about the idiotic "scene" modes. Forget that nonsense is even there. NO pro photographer uses such silliness.
Along with a THOROUGH reading and studying of your owners manual, here is a book that will help you IMMENSELY. Worth it's weight in gold for what it will do for your photography: