Tips

article source: wikihow.com

•      Shooting manually using a Digital SLR is a really good way to learn and understand major concepts
•     Shoot .RAW files. This gives you more wiggle room in your correcting exposure mistakes. Also makes adjusting the white balance in Camera Raw a snap. 
•      Make sure you adjust the white balance!!!! If you're shooting in RAW, leave the camera on auto and correct it later using your favorite image-editing software.
•      Choose a side: Nikon or Canon. It's really a matter of personal taste and how intuitive the camera feels when taking pictures. Stick with your chosen brand's accessories. (more ease of use)
•       A fancy zoom lens may seem like a good idea but you will learn more about composition with a fixed focal length 50mm lens. They are also cheaper and generally sharper. A fixed 50mm lens will also have a wider aperture like a 1.8 allowing you to shoot in low light plus the ability to create a æsthetic bokeh.  
•      Don't buy a camera that only has automatic focus/exposure/ISO settings. Most higher end Digital cameras have both automatic and manual settings.
•      Try and get a camera with a hot shoe (place to attach an external flash) and possibly even a external lights connector for doing professional portraits, wedding photos etc.
•       Invest in a good heavy duty tripod. The cheaper flimsy ones are not all that stable and defeat the object of having a tripod all together.
•      Regarding tripods, if you grab the occasional video clip, ensure your tripod has a "pan head" which will allow smooth movements while filming, rather than jerky, irritating pans.
•      Now that you have invested all your hard earned cash into the photography equipment don't forget to buy a good quality case to protect your investment. Look for one that is lockable so that it wont get stolen. 
•       Unless given as a gift or favor or donation, never give away your photos for free and always retain your copyright.
•       REMEMBER, it's not the photo equipment, but your "eye" (really, your creativity and mind), that make a great photographer. With re-usable memory card, the expense of shooting with a digital camera is minimal (your time and storage medium) after the initial purchase. SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT! Your photographs will teach you to be a better photographer.
•       Look at magazines/photo websites/the work of professionals constantly. Look critically at your own work and run your best shots past friends/mentors who are more accomplished. The more critical your eye, the better your own photographs. Carry a compact, "point and shoot" camera EVERYWHERE- after all, you can't grab those great shots if you don't have a camera on you... Above all, HAVE FUN.
•     Protect your eyes! Would-be photographers (and even professionals) forget the most critical, precious part of their photographic equipment. Use UV-protective sunglasses outdoors, wear protective lenses when grinding, sanding, pounding, or weed-wacking, and get annual eye exams from a professional to detect early, treatable glaucoma, cataracts, etc.