I am a professional photographer and production artist. My recommendations for cameras are as follows for your budget in order form best to good:
Canon
Nikon
Fuji
Olympus
Canon makes fantastic cameras, my studio owns two EOS 1Ds MArk II's $15,000 USD with lenses. I own a Canon G5 for home and its a wonderful camera. Technique comes with practice, a natural photographic eye is something your born with. If we all had it I woundnt be able command the money I do for production. Taking the photo is only half the battle the other half is production.