Something I have left out of my original post is this.  Everyone needs a 50mm lens.  They're fast, cheap, and they will change your life.  (I'm not kidding.  Stop reading this and go get one!)

Get them here:

Nikon version

Canon version

I often have people inquiring about their fascination with photography. They are novices looking toward the next step. I don’t think there are any trade secrets in photography. Ask me how I did a particular shot and I’ll tell you. No secrets. The secret is your mind and if your mind sees a great photo, you’ll take a great photo. If your mind sees a poor photo, well you have some work to do.

If you’re looking for the next step in the journey, here’s my advice:

1. Shoot! Shoot a lot. Don't let more than a day or two go by without shooting. Shoot everything.

2. Focus. Find out what you like to shoot. I am kinda bored by architecture, but I LOOOOOOVE shooting portraits. I mean LOVE. I also really love using strobes and pumping light into shots. Some guys focus on just landscapes or just architecture and that really helps hone your skills. Think about someone learning to play guitar, and they started out attempting all styles of guitar--electric and acoustic, picking and strumming--you might get better, but you would probably just be confused. So try to get your footing in one genre at a time. But, at first, just shoot everything.

3. Copy. I could use the word "steal" but I won't. Try to copy other people's work. Flickr contains a "more properties" link on the bottom right of each photo where you can learn all the characteristics of that photo. Check out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/baileypiracy/2861901656/meta/ Think about why that photographer used a certain f stop and shutter speed. Try and reproduce those settings. Don't plagiarize, but don't be afraid to copy.

4. Mentor. Find a virtual mentor. Find someone whose work you love and can't live without. My virtual mentor is Joe McNally. I love this guy's work. Plus, he offers a lot of commentary on how he got certain shots.

5. Read. Read about your camera and about light and about all things photography. At first, read about the surface things. Then, read about theory. You should feel as though that camera is an extension of your body--the way a musician manipulates an instrument to get out of it just the right sound. A great primer is Scott Kelby's "The Digital Photography Book." He doesn't talk theory in this book, just the "here's what you should do if you want a shot to look like this." It's great.

6. Push. Here is my rationale when I shoot. I usually get some good, solid, safe shots. Shots you know the client will be happy with. (Sorry to end with a preposition) But then, I try to push the envelope a little. Try something you haven't done before. Often, I push the envelope and the results are terrible. I'm embarrassed that I even had that stupid thought and I immediately trash those files. But sometimes I breakthrough and something ridiculously good happens. Here is a good example of something I pulled out of thin air and it really worked out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/baileypiracy/2059137260/in/set-72157594482832954/

7. Create. I tell people that shooting is only about half of the work. The other half happens on the computer in Photoshop. If you are going to shoot for real, you MUST be conversant in PS.

Email me any questions you have. I love to talk photography. Good luck!