If you're thinking of getting into photography or need advice on getting a digital SLR, start here:
Buying a Digital SLR: A Beginners Guide by Peng101
Now that you have a camera...
Intro to Photography –– Resource Guide
There are many members here with experience and knowledge in photography and photoshop, and they provide great information in answering questions to help out with a lot of basics.
This is an attempt to compile that information so it can be more easily referenced.
Books (as recommended by members)





Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson
David Busch’s Canon EOS Rebel T1i/500D Guide to Digital SLR Photography by David Busch
Magic Lantern Guides





Provide info beyond what is in the user manual on using various cameras.
Digital Photography Boxed Set by Scott Kelby
Peter iNova’s ebooks http://www.digitalsecrets.net/





Guides on using various DSLRs.






Web resources





Kelby Training www.kelbytraining.com





Online training in various aspects of Photoshop and photography. Cost is about $20 per month for unlimited access to instructional videos. The instruction is an outstanding resource. NAPP members receive a discount.
Photography on the Net www.photography-on-the.net





A site focused on Canon equipment, lots of good info about all the aspects of photography.
Photo.net www.photo.net





General photography site
Digital Photography Review www.dpreview.com





Digital photography news and reviews, as well as a forum.
Canon USA http://www.usa.canon.com/home
Nikon USA http://www.nikonusa.com/
Strobist http://strobist.blogspot.com/





Lighting blog. Focuses on off-camera flash and using speed lights.
Scott Kelby's Blog http://www.scottkelby.com/





General photography and Photoshop blog. Info on his projects as well as some techniques ad news.
Fred Miranda http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/





Photography info site and forums.
Camera Labs http://www.cameralabs.com/





Camera and lens reviews.
The Digital Picture http://www.the-digital-picture.com





Reviews and information on Canon gear.
Vendors





B&H Photo www.bhphotovideo.com





Not only is B&H a site sponsor (they have a forum in the industry section) but is also one of the top places to buy gear.
Adorama http://www.adorama.com/





Another reputable vendor, good place to buy gear. They also offer printing services.
Adorama Pix http://www.adoramapix.com/





The printing division of Adorama. They do quality work and their prices are reasonable, especially when you can catch a sale.
Mpix http://www.mpix.com





An outstanding provider of print services. They offer not only photos, but many custom products and options. Very high quality and fast turnaround.



Updated 10/14/10

Photoshop Basics –– Resource Guide





There are many members here with experience and knowledge in photography and photoshop, and they provide great information in answering questions to help out with a lot of basics.





This is an attempt to compile that information so it can be more easily referenced.





Addiitonally, feel free to ask your basic Photoshop questions here, and I’m sure people will do what they can to answer them. I’ll try to add more info in the future.
Software


Photoshop CS5 and CS5 Extended


What has become the standard for photo manipulation and image creating. The extended version contains more 3D tools and features. Both versions are available as stand-alone products or part of larger creative suites. Also includes Bridge, a file browser, and Camera Raw, a non-destructive image correction add-on. While CS5 is the latest version, CS3 and CS4 will also likely do most of what you want.




Photoshop Elements


A stripped down version of Photoshop. Missing some of the options and a bit more simple.





Adobe Lightroom


Used for image management and post-production work. Good for handling corrections and general post production, but intended to be used alongside Photoshop for in-depth image work.





Gimp www.gimp.org


A free image manipulation program.





Capture NX 2 http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Imaging-Software/25385/Capture-NX-2.html


Nikon's non-destructive photo editing program.
Books (as recommended by members)


Various titles by Scott Kelby





Various titles by Matt Kloskowski





Various titles by Dave Cross
Web resources


Kelby Training www.kelbytraining.com


Online training in various aspects of Photoshop and photography. Cost is about $20 per month for unlimited access to instructional videos. The instruction is an outstanding resource. NAPP members receive a discount.





Planet Photoshop http://www.planetphotoshop.com


Lots of tutorials and information





Photoshop User TV http://www.photoshopusertv.com


Put out by NAPP. Hostedd by Scott Kelby, Matt Kloskowski and Dave Cross. Available on the Web or via podcast.





Scott Kelby's Blog http://www.scottkelby.com/


General photography and Photoshop blog. Info on his projects as well as some techniques ad news.





NX-2 Introduction and Features


Video on Moose Peterson's site on  using Nikon's NX 2 Software


Features: http://www.moosepeterson.com/D3/media_center/NT2_Pt1/NT2_Pt1.htm


Image work: http://www.moosepeterson.com/D3/media_center/NT2_Pt1/NT2_Pt1.htm


Color correction: http://www.moosepeterson.com/D3/media_center/NT2_CC/NT2_CC.htm
Organizations


National Association of Photoshop Professionals www.photoshopuser.com


NAPP is a great resource for all users of Photoshop – beginner and professional. It is not only a good information and learning resources, but provides a variety of discounts. Discounts include free shipping from B&H and a discount on Adobe products. Additionally, you get a subscription to Photoshop User magazine, and NAPP also offers subscriptions to Layers magazine (which covers other Adobe products in addition to Photoshop). Membership is approximately $100 per year, but specials are often available.
Vendors


B&H Photo www.bhphotovideo.com


Not only is B&H a site sponsor (they have a forum in the industry section) but is also one of the top places to buy gear.





Adobe www.adobe.com


Adobe products can be purchased direct, and doing so is one of the safest ways. Be wary of deals that seem to be good as there is a LOT of fake Adobe software out there.






 

tag and thank you for putting this all together

For Nikon users, I recently purchased Capture NX2, and it has quickly proven itself to be an excellent bit of editing software.

Strobist.blogspot.com for huge amounts of info on ligting.

and when I get tired of reading that...I check out all the archives at strobist.blogspot.com  

http://www.cameralabs.com/

http://www.adorama.com/

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/

I like NX2 quite a bit.

I thought these were good intros:

http://www.moosepeterson.com/D3/media_center/NT2_Pt1/NT2_Pt1.htm

http://www.moosepeterson.com/D3/media_center/NT2_Pt2/NT2_Pt2.htm

http://www.moosepeterson.com/D3/media_center/NT2_CC/NT2_CC.htm

Thanks for the links. Updated in the first posts.

Reviews of just about everything Canon, in an easy-to-maneuver format, with links to sellers:



http://www.the-digital-picture.com/

A tag.  

looks good, thanks man.

BTT.

Been a few months, so...



BTT for new readers.

Ive had good luck with these guys

KEH.com

Since most people buy the Elements version of Photoshop (and because it doesn't come with a manual of any kind), this website ought to be tremendously helpful:

Elements Village

Closed effective May 4, 2015



 

I found this video to be very informative regarding Sharpening.

If your new, like I was back in October...I'll second the suggestion for the book Understanding Exposure

Read it, took an online class...then read it again. Good basic info for noobs.

I received Stunning Digital Photography by Tony Northrup for Christmas...will review later after I have read.

into the SDP book now...little update...

Probably best suited for someone who: Just finished Understanding Exposure (Patterson) or has completed a beginners class in DSLR.
The book has 14 hours of video accessible via QR code...easy and very cool information related to the subject covered in the book.
Online access to the book, lifetime updates, forum, reviews, how-to for equipment, Facebook group...and more.
And Tony's wife is hot...

I'm really having fun with it as a "read Understanding exposure and completed a class" guy...

Stunning Digital Photography, Tony Northrup

I'm digging up an old thread just to say that site is awesome!
I took your advice this morning when I read this reply and I've been on that site all damn day!.

There is some excellent links in this post, thanks to everybody for taking the time to link them.  I've been reading about LightRoom and was fixing to bite the bullet and purchase it when I read about a free open source called LightZone.  I downloaded it, for free, and am in the process of learning how to use it.  To my limited knowledge about photo processing, I am very impressed with what all it will do.  I'll give this a big two thumbs up.

http://lightzoneproject.org/

Sorry, can't get the link hot.

Photoshop Tutorials by Phlearn - recommended YouTube channel for Photoshop users.  Subscribe for weekly updates on a variety of topics.

Was out in the yard this evening with the 70-300 and due to failing light had very slow shutter speeds on Program mode.  Figured what they hey, let's see what I can do without the tripod.

This show has no post work, just re-sizing to reduce file size.

122mm, f/4.8, 1/5 sec, ISO 100.  VR was enabled.
Had my arms tucked into my body (no chicken wing!)  Get a good solid foundation and you might surprise yourself at how slow you can go!

DSC_3622-Handheld 1_5 Sec by FredMan, on Flickr

Aaaand last month I learned due to the nature of the technology modern CMOS sensors will have a second ISO range where noise and dynamic range improve to almost base ISO levels.


This guy did testing so you don't have to.

https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/RN_ADU.htm