Getting into Photography

I posted this a few days ago in the "photographers and shutterbugs" group forum... but I'm not even sure how to get to that page without searching for it and I don't think anyone is ever going to see it...

I have always had a great appreciation for photography, and could spend countless hours roaming the internet looking at all kinds of photography. I have taken some pretty cool photos on my iPhone over the years, but recently I have decided that I'd like to get into photography more seriously and start taking some awesome pictures.

I am starting this thread because aside from my iPhone, I have no photography gear or real experience. I understand the basics of photography such as aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and depth of field. But I am hoping to hear from some of you about cameras that you currently have or recommend (I'd like to get one soon), tips about starting to take better pictures, how you learned as a photographer, etc...

Awesome, thanks Erik! I didn't mean to sounds impatient, it just seemed that the group page had been deserted.

Read up on this website. This is about the best I have found on the web for simple straight-forward advice and reviews:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm

Also, DPreview has some good stuff:

http://www.dpreview.com/

I started to get into photography about 4 years ago, then never really got into it. I sold my Canon DSLR to a friend. Recently a coworker has restoked my interest, and just the other day I ordered a Nikon D3200 off Amazon, mainly on Rockwell's advice. I was planning to get the D5200 but the 3200 is all I need, and it saved me about $300. I also ordered Photoshop Elements 12....yeah I plan on going all in and making it a hobby this time.

Take care.