>>1121501Don't have time for an elaborate response but here's a quick step-by-step:
1. Start paying attention to sound everywhere you go. Not just in a general sense, but all the things going on that you aren't notcing, the things your brain is filtering out, and how it changes depending on your exact location and what you put your attention on.
2. Buy yourself a cheapish handheld stereo recorder (and accessories like a small tripod and windmuff are a good idea as well). Go out and do "point and shoot" recordings. Go home and listen to them - they'll sound quite a bit different than the environment sounded when you were there.
3. Get goot a picking locations, placements, and interesting subjects.
4. If all goes well and you get some momentum doing this, start thinking about upgrading equipment - you have plenty of time to research the fancier stuff and various recording and mic techniques.
There are shitloads of mic technique resources out there but this is one of my favourite ones. Making truly informed decisions about what technique you're going to use is tricky without experience in recording or with microphones. They're all good but they all sound quite different for a number of reasons. Usually the technique you prefer dictates the kinds of microphones you buy so it's a big decision - you also have to think about how easy the rig will be to transport, setup, and deploy.
http://lossenderosstudio.com/article.php?subject=11 
