Well, to start with (my opinion) a decent Digital SLR (DSLR) would be a good place to start. There are many good entry level cameras these days. In fact, now days you can get a really capably DSLR for under $500 that is more capable that a $6000 camera was 10 years ago. I shoot Canon, but Nikon is also a great brand (I'm not a Canon snob, that just happens to be what I started with).

Here's a list of what CNet thinks are good entry-level DSLRs (Both Canon and Nikon)

http://www.cnet.com/topics/cameras/best-digital-cameras/dslr-for-beginners/

Remember - many entry level DSLRs today are very very capable cameras with capabilities that would have cost thousands just a few years ago,