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This was all really helpful as I finally have dug up funds for a DSLR and am hoping to rekindle my love of photography. One other question for you. Many novices like myself are utilizing kit lenses that came with entry-level DSLRs (I have a Canon T1i that came with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS. What would you recommend for an entry level set of lenses? I was looking at the Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 and the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8.

Wonderful words of wisdoms on many critical, but often overlooked simple points that can make or break your images. I especially echo your thoughts about approaching people in a foreign or unknown place. Great images are often created by astute observation and anticipating the moment….this is best achieved by immersing yourself in the situation, slowing down as you put it.

I might add one of the persistent problems people have is they simply are not familiar enough with their camera equipment. For me it was a matter of starting back at the beginning….re-learning exactly how f/stop, iso, shutter speed all interact. Then learning how to control these variables intuitively in my camera with various lenses.

I concur with your book recommendations regarding “The Photographers Eye” – I still often refer to it as it sits on my desk here today. I just got done reviewing David duChemin's “Vision & Voice: Refining Your Vision in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom“. It is an excellent book with great insights on how he creates an image utilizing LR. I highly recommend it. However, it is not for a LR raw beginner as it only focuses on the Develop module, you will need another introductory book to accompany this if one has never been in LR before.

Keep up the great posts, all are enjoyed – cheers, Jeff

If I can also offer a tip or helping word for Canon shooters: Where you mention about choosing focal points, on Canon you can choose to select the focal point with the large thumbwheel on the back. Using that, it's as instinctive and easy to choose a focal point quickly as I can imagine it ever being. I tend to think of it in the same way as a car steering wheel whereby when you turn, your thumb is already on it and making the turn is pure instinct. You don't think about it, you just do it and it takes a fraction of a second.

The choice is hidden away somewhere in the custom settings menu on Canon, no doubt other manufacturers will have it somewhere else as well. Hope it helps someone