Ambitious beginners often ask for recommendations for alternatives to kit lenses.
Do not underestimate what a kit lens can do.
My view is that kit lenses exceed the ability of beginners to use them, even enthusiastic beginners. They can remain useful even after you become experienced.
Kit lenses are the most cost effective lenses you can own as a beginner.
Think in terms of print size, because very few non-pros would ever need more than a 6Mp DSLR just to get a good quality large print ( like a 16x12 ). Pixel peeping is where the problems and tears start - never do this.
I always recommend that people starting out with a DSLR grab a good book on basic photographic techniques from the library or a bookshop. Good technique gets good shots, and bad technique ruins them.
The only accessories I suggest a beginner consider in, say, three months are a basic circular polarizer (CP) and perhaps a simple tripod.
That said typical lens options for portraiture might be :
17-50 f2.8
18-50 f2.8
24-70 f2.8
28-75 f2.8
See a trend ? :-) Sigma and Tamron are worth investigating for value.
A typical lens choice for a telephoto quality zoom would be a 70-200 f2.8 or a 100-300 f4.
For general purpose telephoto you can again look at your kit lens. These are not great quality, but are a step up from telephoto P&S lenses, so do not dismiss them until you can see their failings. Again think in terms of print size - the image viewed as a whole, not at pixel level.
An alternative to a kit lenses might be the Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 Di Macro. This is a reasonable lens with a 1:2 near macro capability with a low price and makes good value.
Consider second hand lenses from dealers. These are usually in good condition and good dealers will give 6- or 12- month warranties ( which eBay won't ).
Also for portraiture you might investigate macro lenses ( which also make good general primes ).
I would again say do not invest in lenses until you have learned the complexities of shooting with a DSLR - it's not a P&S and it comes as a shock to many just how much effort can be required ( at least initially ) to learn.
I would also mention post processing. It is not uncommon for beginners to purchase CS5 or Photoshop. Don't. It's a waste. There are free options that for most people will be more than enough ( and are even used by professionals ). Lookup GIMP and RawTherapee on Google.
Some DSLR makers supply software with their cameras. Mostly these are cut down versions of full packages. Canon's DPP is an exception to this rule.
Don't spend money until you have identified a definite purpose and need for doing so.
Lastly post processing should be something you keep to a minimum, particularly when learning photography. Do not rely on post processing to do things you can and should be getting right when you shoot.
