Konichiwaneko

Basic tip one : Never stop taking pictures, even if people make snide comments about you taking so many pictures.

Basic tip two : be considerate when you take pictures though, I shouldn't have to explain when that camera should be out or not. Oh and do do do avoid doing something that will give other photographers grief in the long run

Basic tip three : Compisition is consistent, no matter the quality and the make of the camera. Understand that first, and you will be a happier photographer.

Basic tip four : avoid taking snap shots of people if the sun is behind you, it's not that you can't see them or they can't see you...but more then likely they will have a silly squinting "I look like Renee Zellwieger and just sucked a lemon" face.

Basic tip five : Keep extra batteries on you at all time. Digital is fun, digital is convenient, digital sucks battery power compared to film camera like a 15 year old high school girl who promised to keep her virginity til she gets married.

Basic tip six : Learn to organize digital files quick. I would suggest avoiding an album program unless you really like one. I personally sort the files myself, and have a naming convention similiar to "month/event name - date". Reason being is if you go 10 years shooting digital, more then likely you will not use the same program for 10 years to manage it, so if you keep it on a basic level then you are pretty much future proofing.

Basic tip seven : Pro photographers do not have a 100% success rate. You've heard of it before, and it's true. In the times of yore, when photographers carried broad swords and fought scurvy...they would go through 10~100 rolls of film for... 1 shot!. Talk about walking 6 miles uphill both ways for a sharp shot of a bird. Knowing that, make sure you look at your pictures and figure out what you like about them and just keep on shooting.

basic tip eight : Respect peoples rights, mostly ladies. Sometimes a camera is the key to removing girls clothing (and it gets easier the more expensive and bulkier your camera is) but by all means even if you get a super hot naked shot of your lady friend do not post it up on the internet without either a) her permission or b) a valid reason too. Valid reasons being posting on a forum for criticism of a non racy shot of her. Repeat...non racy which means yeah it can be implied nudity, but more then likely get her permission first. Same thing with dudes, but I think a majority of them if they pose naked or topless with you don't have problems with their schlong on a million screens from here to Tokyo.

basic tip nine : Your camera is a tool, you are the artist, and it does not own you. This is the last tip but a valid one. You bought the camera to use. I've seen plenty of instances where people would buy technology only to leave it on the shelf, or even worse get scared they will break it. Break it if you have too. Use the camera to take amazing photos of canyons, riots, and fires. Those are the pictures we live for, memories defined.

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