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Having been using SLRs since the mid 60's, shutter speed is a variable along with aperature that can both make or break an otherwise great photo. Having a digital camera that allows you to make an adjustment in the shutter soeed is nice but aperature is more important and requires adjustment along with changes in shutter speed to get great shots that would be otherwise missed with a point and shoot or misadjusted settings. Digitals offer the ability to review the screen and possibly retake a shot that didn't come out the first time. A little skill and a good memory would allow you to make changes before a one shot event passes you by while fiddling with the controls.

For blurring objects (waterfalls) in bright light, here are two tricks.

1) slow your ISO to as low as it will go.

2) use your polarizer filter. If you don't have one you should try it. It can also be used as a neutral density filter.

...

Shooting at night should have a tripod. I like the kind with the quick release so you can take it off the base as needed but leave the base on the camera.

If you don't have a tripod any solid, flat surface and something soft like a coat to sit the camera on often suffices.

Next best would be to lean on a solid object, rest your shoulder and arm against a wall or door frame, tuck your elbows to your side, and take a deep breath for shots of 1 sec. or faster.