Consider joining a photography based club, or simply going out and taking some pictures with a fellow photographer. You can learn from others and pick up new ideas, but avoid letting their style take over your own. Take some pictures together of the same object, then compare how your styles differ.
Above all else, photography is an art form meant to be enjoyed. Photos should be taken of things you want to remember later on and show others, whether it be an event, a location or even just a space of time. Have a good time while you take your shots and you'll find that the joy you feel comes through in the pictures you take.
As with everything in life, practice is the key to learning what does and does not work in photography. For those reluctant to try photography, the advent of digital cameras has given new access to this art and its possibilities. If you do not have to worry about wasting film, you can take as many pictures as you want and sort them out later.
Look for the right types of things to take pictures of. Even the best equipment won't produce an amazing picture if the subject is difficult to work with. Think about it for a bit then carefully choose objects that naturally inspire you. You can also look for someone to model and pose for you.
Decide what aspects of your subject you want to capture in your photograph. A great photo will be like you are looking at your object through a little window. You should avoid showing too much when taking a photograph. If you are trying to capture an impression, take a couple of photographs instead of just one singe picture that has no detail or focus.
Watch for fixed patterns in the pictures that you take, and make the most of them. Patterns, particularly when they repeat, make for interesting focal points in your photos. These patterns are not only great for interesting photos by themselves, they can also add an eye catching background for whatever the main subject of your focus is.
If you're trying to take the best possible picture, get close to the subject you're photographing. This allows you to eliminate backgrounds that are distracting, and it also makes it easier to properly frame what you are photographing. You also get the opportunity to allow your subject's face to be the star of the shot; this is especially impactful with portraiture. Small details are easily overlooked when the subject is a good distance away.
Use your flash outdoors to eliminate the shadows that can form when subjects are shot in bright sun. Not using the flash to shoot could cause subjects to appear too dark.
Now that you have read this article, you are prepared to take excellent photographs. If you thought before that you were prepared and ready, you should be an expert about it now. The tips provided in this article should have given you some great advice to help improve your photography skills.