I have a Fuji FinePix S5000. However much I love taking pictures I am not well versed in photography jargon. I have purchased a couple easy reading books, "Digital Photography for Dummies" as well as one of the "Idiot" versions...LOL I have also read thru and RE-READ my cameras manual. I have been thru quite a few other books from the library. As long as I have a point of reference on hand I can switch a few settings and usually come up with an OK shot. I am finding that I end up taking pics with the same few settings....macro, portrait and action. I know my camera is capable of much more and I get terribly upset with my lack of knowledge. Is this really a "practice makes perfect" thing? If I am having a problem actually grasping the jargon of all things digital can I ever really hope for that light-bulb moment? :confused: At this point I am seriously thinking that any of my pictures I like are based on luck and not skill. I am thankful for the luck aspect but when does the skill come??

Probably with lots of practice and reading. :) Take lots and lots of photo's! At least with digital it doesn't cost anything.

I have purchased a couple easy reading books, "Digital Photography for Dummies"
Does it help you?Once i had got the book "Boxers for Dummies",it was the worst book i have ever bought :o

I am thankful for the luck aspect but when does the skill come??

As Jan said,with lots of practice and reading,and i would tell you that is much better to use the manual mode of your camera than the auto modes,because using the auto you would never learn the setting which needed for every case
Using the manual mode and lots of practice the skill would come soon,and also you could ask for everything and we would try to help you if it's something we know,if not,we will try and learn it along with you ;)

The pictures in your gallery are very nice. They don't look like accidents to me!
You need to give yourself a little more credit. You CAN learn to use manual controls. Does the school system where you live offer adult education courses? They are very common around here and they have couses in digital photography. Perhaps you could take a class like that with an instuctor right there to help you along. That could help you get started.

The camera store that I got my camera does have classes, nothing in depth but anything will help and they are not terribly expensive. I might check into those. I prefer manual to auto but everytime I turn the camera off it defaults back to the original settings. That doesn't help when I want to take a picture within seconds that I will miss if I start changing settings. Thanks everyone for the replies.