and in the classroom learning about photography. Can anyone recommend a good book for beginners?

Yaay!!

Here are couple good sites. . . lots of books recommended and some really good photographers.. . especially the Cafe site. . . .their picutures will make you want to go back to "point-n-shoot."

http://www.photo.net/bboard/forum?topic_id=1681

http://nikoncafe.com/

expensive hobbies. BUT, I just think that photos capture the moment better than video does, so I figured I might as well do it right.