Hi everyone (anyone?)! Not sure how many of you still frequent this group, but I wanted to introduce myself and officially join you all. DH bought me my first dSLR as a Christmas gift! I don't know the details yet because he wanted it to somewhat be a surprise (I suspect it's a Canon 550D/T2i), but I'm SUPER excited and itching to get started on yet another new hobby! :)

I found the threads here for beginner resources and will be checking those out, but I was wondering if any of you know of any sites that have weekly photo assignments/challenges? I learn by doing, so I'm looking forward to something like that.

TIA!

Hi Welcome!  Yes I still frequent here although I don't post much, since I've been too busy to take shots.

I'll get back to you on the weekly challenge question.  Many forums have them, and there's "our daily challenge" group on flickr that many of us belong.  The problem of those is you rarely get feedback.  Well if you did a good job people will praise you, but if you don't few give you unsolicited advice.  But they do give you great motivation to take photos.

I wonder if it's gonna be T2i or T3i... Keep us posted!

Welcome!!  Yeah, this group is VERY quite these days!  I would highly recommend the "Our Daily Challenge" groups on Flickr.  There are 3 of them (Our Daily Challenge Group 1, Our Daily Challenge Group 2, etc.) & there's usually a waitlist to get on, but they are great practice.  While you are waiting to get placed in a group you can always join the "Our Daily Topic" group.  They have the same daily challenges as the other 3 groups but you don't have to be waitlisted to get in, but the negative aspect of this group is you don't really get much feedback in comparison to the other 3 groups.  I know Fred Miranda has challenges as well, but I think these are weekly at most.  Let me know if you need any help!  Enjoy :)

Thank you both! I'll definitely try and join the Flickr group and check out Fred Miranda. I signed up for Flickr today, but I haven't really gotten the hang of it yet. I have a couple of friends who use it a lot who can probably help me out there :)

I'll let you guys know what I end up getting and post my first shots - should be early next week! Eeep!

Ooo!  Let me know what newbie resources work for you.  I'm starting up too. My bro donated his old Nikon D90 to me. :)

SanFran - This weekend I started reading the blog posts on improvephotography.com. Tons of great information for all levels :) Can't wait to see what you take with your D90!

I love the Our daily challenge group on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/groups/1655704@N23/) becoming a member there really helped me improve my photography skills, and they don't care what you shoot with or how good you are, as long as you shoot. 

Our daily topic: http://www.flickr.com/groups/ourdailytopic/

I think digital photography school does really good article and tutorials

Fb: http://www.facebook.com/digitalps and website: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/ 

so does lightstalking: web: http://www.lightstalking.com/ and fb: http://www.facebook.com/LightStalking 

DH is trying to get me to go home from work early by sending me this picture!

I had a feeling he got the T2i. He also bought some additional accessories, so I'm thinking he may have gotten the 50mm f/1.8 as well. He sent me a message saying he opened the box to charge it for me and took it home on his lunch. It will be ready to go when I get home. :) Ahh! I'm so excited to try it out and sitting here at my desk is the LAST thing I'd like to be doing!!

YAY!! And how sweet of him!