Picked up a canon rebel xti yesterday. This is my first attempt at photography so please be gentle. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Go here for some great instructions to get the most out of car photography.
https://my350z.com/forum/photography/232538-the-official-digital-photography-101-thread.html

I have an XTi also, and was in the same boat as you about 2 months ago. All I can say is buy the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. It's cheap, but it'll give you a taste how much better your photo's will look with better glass. Also, I'd pick up a lightweight tripod and circular polarizer filter. Also, stop over the bookstore and pick up a "how to" photography book to understand more about the nuances. but most importantly, just keep taking pics. You'll improve everytime out.

What I've been doing lately is studying pictures from magazines and pics from here that I like, and why I like it, and I try to mimic it with my car.

 

I think it looks good, but then again I'm not one of the photography teacher's on the site.

 

Nice car, nice camera.

 

Nice!!!