This post is going to be part getting started advice and part kick up the ass if you feel you are missing out because you don't have a real camera yet or the latest and greatest kit.  Allow me to hold your hand. 

Many people start of in photography with a small compact camera or these days a mobile phone.  They get the bug and then start looking at "real cameras".. not to say that a camera phone is not real it's just not a fully fledged camera.

So what next?