*18. For Outdoor Photography Wear Sensible Shoes. I know I sound like your mother.

Actually if I WAS your mother I would also advise clean underwear but that's a subject for another blog.

If you are scouting the neighborhood for that elusive shot or hacking through the jungle for a different but still elusive, shot you need to be comfortable.

The ability to focus your attention outwardly on your environment for extended periods of time is the key to observing and capturing great shots.

This activity is never helped by a pair of feet sending constant messages demanding some kind of attention.

17. When you think you have the shot... shoot some more! Note: Keep Brain engaged at all times.

There is a lot to be said for learning photography in the digital age and one of the great advantages is that it costs nothing to take a bunch of extra shots. In the days of film you would have been restricted in your output based upon your budget.

Film and processing costs quite literally forced photographers to get good fast, go broke or give up.

These days its a different story. Shooting a multitude of extra shots may very well get you the shot exactly how you want it but doing it mindlessly will teach you nothing.

So by all means take advantage of the freedom offered by digital photography but at the same time note what you are doing and note the different outcomes you are achieving as you do them to improve your skills.

16. You never know when something is going to happen so have a camera with you at all times.

Success at really getting good at photography is the idea of creating within your own mindset the viewpoint of always "being on." By that I mean always being aware of the world around you and opportunities within it for getting that great shot.

Of course sharpening your observation and "seeing" your environment as a photo is all rather pointless if you don't have a camera with you!

16. You never know when something is going to happen so have a camera with you at all times.

Success at really getting good at photography is the idea of creating within your own mindset the viewpoint of always "being on." By that I mean always being aware of the world around you and opportunities within it for getting that great shot.

Of course sharpening your observation and "seeing" your environment as a photo is all rather pointless if you don't have a camera with you!

15. When Photographing People, Portraits or Otherwise - Don't Be a Bossy Pants!

It is very easy when you get caught up in the moment of creation to start ordering people around like cattle to get them to comply with your "grand vision!"

Yes, a degree of control is always necessary when photographing people, especially when there is more than one to cope with! However for the most part maintaining the concept that the end result is for them and not you will always yield better results.

14. Only Use Photoshop As A Last Resort Or Port Of Last Call. Force Yourself To Achieve Your Best With The Camera

Try to use photo editing software as rarely as possible until you have a clear understanding of the abilities and limitations of your camera. Although there are always things you can do to improve or even save a shot in Photoshop it can lull you into a kind of laziness with the act of photographing itself.

The final result of this will be a stunting in your development as a photographer (although you will probably get pretty good with the software!) and ultimately you will hit the wall creatively. Unable to really "get" that shot you want because you haven't progressed technically or creatively with the camera.

Whenever Possible Shoot Using a Tripod or Alternately BE the Tripod

No this isn't a lesson in method acting. Obviously there are many situations where using a tripod is simply impracticle but...

It is a good idea to always think of stabilizing the camera at least in some way if possible. The greater the zoom you are dealing with, the greater the compensation you are making for low light the greater the possibility that camera shake will enter in.

If you can't use a tripod or monopod then try to make yourself into on. Lean against a wall or even lock your elbows against the side of your body.