ss,
don't use too high a shutter speed, just leave it on auto or program, usually the camera knows best. if you shoot too fast the moving object looks as if it is static hanging on a string.
the main problem with digital cameras is they don't always take consistant exposures even if you take two or three in a row. unlike film. just keep at it.
we shoot hundreds of frames digitally every week and have to colour correct just about all of them. with practice on the computer you will get the result that you want.
the best photo editing application is adobe photoshop if you have a few spare bucks. it takes a while to learn but there are a few things that you can make it do automatically that will really bring the image up.
send me a photo you like that is a bit off and i will show you the difference.
