Robyn,
I highly recommend you read Alexander's (Mental4Astro) thread on observing Nebula as well as his separate thread on observing the moon & planets.
They are an absolute wealth of information for the beginning observer; they help you understand the 'how to see', 'the what to see' & 'the why doesn't it look like the photo's'..
Whilst the photo's are fantastic, no doubt at all, for me, seeing things in real time, with my own eyes is the most mind blowing thing I think I have ever done...
Even though I've been at this for a few years now, reading Alexanders threads has given me a much greater understanding of what I have seen & what I have failed to see & why..
He then presents some challenges.. these challenges will help improve your viewing, jmprove the way you look for & look at things.
Just scroll down a little further in the 'Beginners Talk' thread & you will see his two threads, I can't recommend them enough... I value them so much in fact, that I have copied & printed them into a document that I have in my observing & telescope guide folder, he only put them out recently but, I am finding them invaluable.
Edit: the links to the two threads are here...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=170511
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=169840