I think most disciplines, sports, arts are the same when people are first learning.

You need to play a while and then you get an "aha" moment and everything changes. You go up a level and never return. I've started rock climbing in one of those rock climbing gyms. ...and I can see that one of the keys is counter-balancing your weight. I can't do it...but I'm practicing and know i will get there. Each 'course' in gym is harder, but once you get past one, even if you stumble, it's easy to redo it.

Understanding exposure is one of those keys. You can't really progress until you understand it. Understanding the harshness of light with a digital camera is also another key. Reading the manual of your camera is ABSOLUTELY another key. I'd say start with exposure.....in fact to help I think I will start a thread about basic exposure.

Hope that helps - and it's the oldest cliche in the book, but don't quit; quitters never win and winners never quit. Just keep asking questions - it seems people love to learn and I and other members of the board love to teach. So ask questions in threads and if you are still confused, just PM me and it's my pleasure to teach anything I know.