Here is a good easy to read site that I can recommend. The key to using any camera is learning what it can do. Understanding the relationship between these factors is important: shutter speed, aperture and depth of field as well as ISO settings and composition are vital.
(fstophttp://www.webspawner.com/users/pixe0s/pauldoylephotoa5.html

If you ever have any questions feel free to email me. there are no dumb questions when it comes to starting out in photography. Best to you.
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30 years as a photog

Same here, I took a beginner's class at my local community college. We had to use 35mm SLR camera – the class taught me alot, Especially since we developed our negatives and printed our own pictures.
The fundamentals stuck in b/c when your printing, you want to do the least amount of adjusting as possible, at least for me. Unless I want to try something out.

Other than that, i also look on line using searches like: photography, beginner photography, canon rebel xt, photography forums,
things like that.

The class environment is great, especially the critique. It was rough for me at first.There was one print where the instructor said "Bad, Just bad, everything about it" and he went on to point out why. I admit, I felt like he dropped a ton of bricks on me, but I recovered and realized that was what I needed. Honest & Constructive criticism.

If you don't have time for a class or can't afford one, try contacting one of the teachers and ask them for book suggestions and if you can show them your work.

The teacher from the class I took told us that we could drop by anytime and show what we've done, even if we were not enrolled in a photo class.
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