although i like lockpicking much better than in oblvion (which caused me to freak the F out more than once) i still can't figure out exactly where to start turning, once it moves a little its not to bad but how do i figure out where to start turning the lock? am i supposed to hear something?

also if someone can tell me where the shrine of nocturnal is located so i can get the skeleton key, i would appreciate it because i have no need for lock picking as a skill and don't want it to keep contributing to my level ups. thanks!

Just turn very slowly, when it stops turning don't force it but try again in another spot

It's super easy once you get the hang of it. It's the same as Fallout but more harder. You need to be patient and delicate, don't rush it, and then you'll find yourself doing it in your first try often.

This is what I've been doing, I've not added any feat points to it, but can pretty much open anything if I have the patience.

I've been running around as a level 10 with an elven bow and sword I stole from display cases.

This is slightly off topic, but I wanted to ask a different question about lockpicking: Do locks get easier to pick as you level your lockpicking skill? Or do they only get easier when you choose some perks?

Yes it will.
I guess because the 'sweet spot' wil become larger when skill is higher

@hawk, i think they only get easier with perks, but what do i know lol
@everyone else thanks for the tips, i think im just bashing the anolog stick and break them all lol
still no word on the nocturnal shrine?

I like Skyrim's better than Oblivion's.

Oblivion's lockpicking was way, way, WAY too easy. I never broke a lock pick, even with absolutely 0 lockpicking skill. And of course, once you get to level 10, you could get the Skeleton Key (an unbreakable pick) quite easily and never have to worry about running out of picks even if you messed up.

I also find Skyrim's better than Fallout's. I never liked that in order to even ATTEMPT to pick a lock in Fallout, you had to have full 25 point chunks in the skill (0-24 = Very Easy, 25-49 = Easy, 50-74 = Average, 75-99 = Hard, 100 = Very Hard). Now every individual point in the lockpicking skill makes picking a lock a little bit easier, so even if you're the worst locksmith in the world, there is still a chance you could unlock a Master level lock.