where do i start?

[dunkyg99]

hi folks, i finally got my panasonic fz18 delivered today!! now the fun begins!! but i need some tips to start me off. i was practicing on my parrots today and although there both tame, and sit quite still (well compared to wild birds anyway) when i was shooting in automatic mode, even the slightest movement bade for a blurred photo. so where do i begin? i know these are perhaps the basic of basics but i need to start somewhere and thought, as well as reading the manual (which will take me a while) i would ask you folks. look forward to reading your replies,

Dunk.

[eeyore]

i would suspect that if you were shooting inside there was insufficient light. try shooting outdoors subjects to practice or use the flash.

if you are using the auto mode it ought to take care of everything for you so with enough light you will get a sharp(ish) picture - assuming you are holding the camera steady.