The Basics?

Okay, so most of you are just getting started in the photo realm or getting back into it and may be a bit rusty. I know my first challenge might have been a bit tricky for those of you without a camera or a wide array of photos to look through especially when the basic functions of running a DSLR can be overwhelming... trust me, I know! While finding the words can be tricky for even a professional it is still a great exercise for beginners and hopefully having some words or at least goals will help to keep you on a more steadfast track than I was on :) With that I'd really like to touch on topics in a somewhat tutorial fashion so that you all feel welcome to post any questions be it how to set ISO, what dpi means or anything else; how to edit for smoother skin, where to look for good light, how to make sparkly eyes (catch lights), what's a bokeh, how do you get a natural pose, how to deal with grain, what's a filter and are they necessary etc.. Anything! For this post please list any questions you have that you'd like explained or demonstrated and I'd love to get started trying to tackle the technicalities of shooting! I'll use this post as a running tab of things to cover so even down the road you can come back and add something if another question comes up.