We just picked up our first DSLR

[Smossy]

I finally took the plunge and decided to finally pick up a nice DSLR camera, I was into photography along time ago and just never had the means to progress in my interests.
Now these days things have changed and Im looking forward to taking lots of memorable photos.

Camera is a Nikon D3300 and it came with an 18-55mm lens, Decided to also pick up the 55-200mm lense also to open more options.
Really excited about it.

To you photo gurus out there, any basic tips you can throw at me would be great. 

[boneaddict]

Nice thing about the D in DSLR is that it doesn't cost anything to pull the trigger.  Shoot lots of images.  If you don't like, delete and do again.  Have fun.   

[Smossy]

Agreed.

[rim_runner]

I’m guessing you will be downloading your photos to your PC. It may not be a problem right away but the sooner you set up a good file structure to store your photos in the easier it will be for you. 

[billythekidrock]

Probably won't be too long and you will also need an external drive for storage.

[huntnphool]

I’m guessing you will be downloading your photos to your PC. It may not be a problem right away but the sooner you set up a good file structure to store your photos in the easier it will be for you. 

 Be sure to pick up two seperate portable hard drives, one to load your images in and the other to copy them.

[huntnphool]

I’m guessing you will be downloading your photos to your PC. It may not be a problem right away but the sooner you set up a good file structure to store your photos in the easier it will be for you. 

 Be sure to pick up two seperate portable hard drives, one to load your images in and the other to copy them.

Agreed, my external just died and took a lot of great pics with it.

 You can get them retrieved, but it will not be cheap.

[TheHunt]

You might want to pickup a copy of Lightroom.  Adobe sells it.  The function is a catalog for your photos.  It also has some tools to update some photos.  They have things similar to plug-ins on the web for functions.   

[Smossy]

Cool thanks for the tips guys, Didnt think about the external storages. Going to be doing lots of nature/star photography. Pretty much all I'm interested in.

[Alchase]

If you use a flash card, after each download of your pics to your PC or backup, reformat the card. Buy multiple cards and batteries.
Use Lightroom or other software and though it might take you longer to upload, use your metadata to catalog the topics (or each person) in each pic.
This will let you search every pic by subject in multiple ways.
Want pics of Smossy's girl? or Smossy's girl only at th zoo?
Metadata is you friend, the more you add the more ways you can search and recall by subject.
If you use a web hosting site like shutterfly, Smugmug, etc...
Read the ULA closely. Some will use your photos depending on what level of service you buy.
Smugmug does not use anything of yours period, and provides an awesome service. They do not make money on your product. They rent you space.

Read anything by Scott Kelby, he is an awesome photography teacher.

[Bean Counter]

• You will need a tripod for astrophotography. And a nice jacket 
• Another vote for Lightroom. Wait until you've done some shooting and have a few hundred photos sitting around. Download the free 30 day subscription and really dive into it. Learn how the catalogue references your files. Learn what non-destructive editing means. After 30 days you should know whether you love it or not. I don't even want to mess with Photoshop because LR is cheap and gives me nearly everything I'll ever need. Its also easy which is a plus for my lazy azz.
• Yes, shoot lots of images, but delete lots of images, too. If I go out to an event with my family I may shoot 120 photos, but usually try to delete it down to about 20-30 after I'm done editing. With rare exceptions you only want to keep your best. Who has time for blasé photos?
• This magazine was for sale at Costco a year or so ago. It is freaking awesome and you should do whatever you need to in order to get your hands on it--including buy it from the UK if necessary. Seems where they're based. http://www.magbooks.com/mag-books/digital-photography/getting-started-in-digital-photography-2nd-edition

[Alchase]

Another function Lightroom gives you (others software would as well) like Bean Counter said, take lots of pictures, then delete all but the best. I make a really quick pass through the pics I just uploaded in Lightroom without looking at the content, by just clicking in the pic (zooms in one level) if the pic is out of focus in the slightest, I delete it.
I then go back through for content. I look at which parts of the pic are worth keeping, and crop the rest out. This is especially valuable when taking pictures of large groups of people. Rarely do you get a pic with lots of people where someone is not doing something you won't want in the pic. Little Johnny picking his nose, someone scratching inappropriate parts, mouth open talking, blinking etc...
But the pic might be great after you crop those out.

Another recommendation is a Black Rapid shoulder strap.
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Rapid-RS-7-Camera-Strap/dp/B002WR7VSS/ref=sr_1_1/178-8262179-6523436?ie=UTF8&qid=1414092556&sr=8-1&keywords=blackrapid+camera+r-strap

And if you use a tripod or monopod, a quick detach plate so you can attach/detach from your tripod/monopod with the turn of a cam.

[Bean Counter]

Those Black Rapid straps look top of the line and a huge improvement over the beastly neck strap.

I personally prefer a wrist strap. I have the Op/Tech. Its decent for lighter weight camera and lens combos, but since its neoprene it may bounce all to the ground if you drop a heavier setup. This Click Elite might be better for heavy setups.
 
http://www.adorama.com/OTSWSBK.html
http://www.adorama.com/CEKWS.html

[Smossy]

Pretty nice Bean Counter. I like my neck strap though, I just want to get something that has alittle more cushioning around the neck so it doesnt rub as bad. I like to be able to just kick my camera to the side like my purse

[Knocker of rocks]

I’m guessing you will be downloading your photos to your PC. It may not be a problem right away but the sooner you set up a good file structure to store your photos in the easier it will be for you. 

 Be sure to pick up two seperate portable hard drives, one to load your images in and the other to copy them.

Agreed, my external just died and took a lot of great pics with it.

I have all 18,000 of my photos backed up to an external drive and DVD's