I'm fairly new with the whole photography thing. All i really know is that my dream is to be a photographer. My main focus is nature. Does anybody have any pointers for a begginer?

Erica - this is gona sound like a Old Schooled smartassed remark, but it really has some merit. Dont read no books, dont follow any tips....just yet! Get a camera and set it on Auto, go out and take all the pictures you want, and try and do as many wrong things as you can. It will help build your confidence and just get mistakes out of your system. Then, review your efforts, and learn from your mistakes. Now find pictures you like in magazines, books or on this site, go out and try to duplicate it, you will develop a new respect for the accomplishment of these Photographers. The lesson that will be dominant in your mind is a lesson that should guide you for the rest of your life... it is much easier to do it right the first time than to go back and shoot it over again.
Every time you push the shutter button, you gain experience. You backup your experience with knowledge. I am kind-of the Old School type hobbiest, who learned by making mistakes, then trying my darnest, not to duplicate them again. Nature Photography will require more than Photographic skills, you need lots of Patience, you will understand specific equipment needs, and of course Luck!
There are a lot of good Photographers on this site who got off their butts and went out and did it, (rule #1: get off your butt and go do it) Im sure they will be happy to share their experiences with you. If I could sum up my experiences it would be this: I hate to study, but I love to learn. I went out and learned thru experience, I learned that I got to study some, and then I start the process all over again. Oh my Gosh! What a Wacky hobby this is. Good luck to you Erica

thank you so much! it sounds like you're pretty expirenced. now i'm gunna go get off my butt and take some pictures :)

On the left of the page, you'll find a link titled "Photography". This is a collection of photos deemed by the site's moderators to be among the best. Upon clicking it, you'll see that it expands in categories. My advice is this: check out the categories of interest to you (or all of them if time allows:) ) and when you see shots that inspire you, try contacting the respective artists. Most, if not all, are happy to discuss their work.

Armed now with some inspiration and hopefully some helpful tips,go out and look for "your shot".

Play with your camera's settings (ie shutter speed, aperture,etc) and see the effect they have on the shot. leaving the camera on full auto lets it do all the thinking for you..not something conducive to the learning process.

With shot(s) in hand, post a few, and seek some critiques and commentary in the Request for Comment forum.

Good luck, and welcome tothe site :o)

Thanks for the tips! :)