Don’t expect to go from an amateur to a professional in a month. Learning photographic techniques takes time and experimentation. Trial and error will teach you what you need to know so that you don’t make the same photographic mistake twice. A lost perfect shot can be a heart-wrenching thing.
To shoot better photographs, try to stand closer to what you are framing in your shot. Getting close allows you to avoid distracting backgrounds, and nicely frame your subject. It also allows facial expressions to really stand out, which can provide your pictures with a lot of emotion. Smaller details are usually overlooked when the picture is taken from far away.
Decide what is going to be in your picture. A good picture should be like a small window showing a certain aspect of your subject. Do not show that much. To create a general impression of an object, shoot a series of photos, instead of a single detail oriented photo.
Try out all the different shutter speeds and experiment in various scenarios so you have an idea what works best. You can get some awesome photos at the drop of a hat and this will allow you to blur some time periods together. Using a fast shutter speed can help you catch moving objects, while the slower speed can help you get those natural scenes.
When you are making the decision of which of your photographs to display or show, make sure that you choose your best ones. Resist any temptation to show all of your photos or to display many pictures of similar subjects or settings. Those viewing your photos are sure to quickly bore from seeing the same subject repeatedly. Aim to show a collection of distinctly different photographs that demonstrate a wide range of your photography skills.
As you’ve learned, improving your photography skills can be easier than you may think. All you need to do is become educated on the subject, practice, and improve your skills. All of that will pay off in the end as you see great photos you’ve taken.