Opinions are like......well, we all know that saying. It's true.

Shoot pictures for yourself, push yourself, and listen to those who's pics you like. It's pretty simple. Don't make it any more difficult than it has to be. Go out and play with it, then sit down and learn from your pics. In this forum, 99% of the pics posted will get the par-for-the course "great pics" even if they're not at all. What do you learn from that, other than people lie? Nothing. Go check out some photography only forums and you'll see what some mack daddy shots look like.


Also, there are lots of books readily available. Pick some up and read about it. Even if you pick up some tricks, advice, or just regular knowledge it all helps.


Good luck and have fun. It's an expensive hobby, but fun sometimes.