digital Photography School has a timely article for those of you lucky people who received a digital camera for Christmas and could use a few pointers on how to use it.

“I thought it might be helpful to put together a series of tutorials that help new digital camera owners to get the most of their cameras.
…
Of course our archives are full of hundreds of tips and tutorials so once you’ve finished with these there are plenty of others to keep you busy for the next few days! If you can’t find a tip or tutorial to help you with your questions feel free to ask them in our forums”

This looks like a great resource and Darren has provided pointers on all of these topics from this article. Hey Darren, is that your Dad in the photo?

Using Your Camera

* Using Fill Flash
* Continuous Shooting Mode
* Shutter Release Technique
* How to Hold a Digital Camera
* Using Flash Diffusers and Relectors
* Digital Camera Maintenance
* Explaining Digital Camera Modes
* Should You use the LCD or Viewfinder?
* Introduction to White Balance
* RAW vs JPEG?
* 7 Digital Camera Predators and How to Keep them at Bay
* How to Take Sharp Digital Images
* Avoiding Dirty DSLR Image Sensors
* How to Use Focal Lock
* How to Get Shallow Depth of Field

Introduction to Exposure - How to Get Out of Auto Mode

* Learning about Exposure - The Exposure Triangle
* Introduction to ISO Settings
* Introduction to Shutter Speed
* Introduction to Aperture
* Aperture and Shutter Priority Modes
* How to Control Aperture and Shutter Speed on an Entry Level Point and Shoot Camera

Composition

* The Rule of Thirds
* Finding Fresh Angles to Shoot From
* Photographing Children
* Getting Horizons Horizontal
* Fill Your Frame
* Give Your Subject Space to Look Into
* 10 Ways to Add Variety to Your Digital Photography
* Create Active Space in Your Photography
* Getting Backgrounds Right

Techniques and How To’s

* 11 Tips for Better Candid Photography
* 10 Beach Photography Tips
* How to Photograph Sunrises and Sunsets
* How to Crop Images
* How to Take Great Group Photos
* Black and White Digital Photography - In Camera or Post Production?
* How to Photography Fireworks
* 10 Questions to Ask When Taking a Photo
* Panning Techniques
* Pre-Focussing
* Macro Photography Tips for Point and Shoot Compact Digital Cameras

Equipment

* Prime vs Zoom Lenses - Which are Best?
* Introduction to type of DSLR Lenses
* Introduction to Tripods
* Polarizing Filters

Again, the link is http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/got-a-digital-camera-for-christmas-learn-how-to-use-it-here/