Fatal Frame

Well, the Wandering Monks are optional. If you're fast in the third night you won't see them. Or you can just flee from them. You never have to fight them.
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After Fight Club watching football on television is like watching pornography when you could be having great sex.

You'll be ok, just keep practicing. Like you said you just started the game so you'll go through your growing pains. Try to wait until right before the enemy is about to attack you, when the capture circle turns yellow or red (I get my FF's confused). This will stun them and allow you time to run away a bit and re-gather yourself for the next shot. I realized that was the biggest mistake I was making early on. I was just settling for any old shot and it wouldn't stun them, then they'd just attack me right afterwards. And of course there's the other advantage of getting more points to power up your camera quicker.

I actually save Max Value for last because the more shots it takes to kill them, the more points you can get. It's also why I use the crappiest film the entire game except for the Family Master fish tank room battle (because it's difficult), and Kirie.