I just bought my very first DSLR camera, a Nikon D3000, and would like any suggestions or hints to help me take better pictures. The hints and suggestions I've already employed are: 1) bought a 16gig SDHC chip for the camera, 2) Have the camera save both RAW and JPG files of each image I snap, and 3) bought myself a tripod. Thanks!

Great news Art — you just entered a new world! My suggestions:

1.  Make it a habit to always put the strap over your head as that will save your camera one day, or, alternatively, if you decide not to use the strap then remove it so it won't catch on anything.

2.  Find out how to use the +/- button to increase or decrease the exposure.

3.  Take a lot of photos and look at each one carefully to find why you like or don't like it.

4.  Keep the manual handy and look things up when you need to because you will likely remember it longer when it solved a problem.

5.  Have fun!

Art, you will be wanting more lenses as time goes on.  I suggest you wait to be comfortably a friend with your camera before spending too much on new glass.  I have at least one lens I almost never use because it seemed so needed but in reality has been used very, very little.

Do consider a true macro.  Sigma and other non-Nikon brands offer lenses which do wonderful work so when looking, consider brands other than Nikon only.  Certainly Nikon glass is good but some other brands are also quite good.   The macro can also be a decent prime lens.

I have a friend who never got into trying to go beyond camera settings such as portrait, landscape, etc.  I don't know what your camera offers but try to go with either aperture or shutter priority and get a feel for having more control of the exposure.  I use aperture priority most of the time and use manual more than I thought I would for true control.   Whaleman made a great suggestion of using the EV button, the  + and - to change the exposure. This is a great asset to learn to use.

You will have fun...I know it. You may also get frustrated a bit at first.  Soon enough you and the camera will be quite close friends.   Hurrah and best wishes to you.       Tom.

Well, I looked at your gallery and the only advice I can give is for you to take as many shot as you want of anything without worrying about film. A 16 gig chip will yield you about 1,600 shots at max. res. and it's reusable.  Go For It!

Practice ,practice and practice.
Definitely use your tripod. Buy a shutter release cable when you can as that will avoid shake on the camera. Use it with the tripod.There is so many thoughts one can share.

Learn to shoot in "manual" mode..understanding exposure is half of the battle..

Remove the lens cap! And “Think BEFORE you press the shutter”

Art, if it comes to mind, after you are comfortable with the camera get back and let us know how you found the transition.   Tom.

Hi,
These are some sites I have used with my Nikon. They may be of interest to you.
I purchased my camera at Wolfe/ Ritz camera and they include weekly classes free of charge, and they have been a lot of fun and very helpful they have two different instructors, and usually a class of between 5 to 20 each week its been a fun experience for me to learn with the others in the class.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Photography-Techniques/index.page

  http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/microsite/d3000/en/   

 http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3000/users-guide/index.htm            

Have fun, I would be curious to see what you think of your camera, I have a friend that is thinking of buying the same camera, have fun with it..      Nikon also offers some weekend workshops I am signing up for one in North Carolina in April and perhaps on later in Houston. Their schedule is included in the site I've included here. Good luck to you.   And I love my camera, I have the D5000 I use the kit lens a lot I have had great results with it , I also purchased a Tamron    http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/18270_vc.asp  lens and so far I am very happy with it as well. And don't forget to buy some filters for your lens. Both UV and a Polarizer.  They will make all the difference.
 
Lynell  

Thanks everyone! I will report back soon!