ckayakne Loc: Wolfeboro/Portsmouth, NH

Everything we (adults) view is from about 5 to 6 (on average) feet off the ground and many people take photos at that height. I've begun to think about the different angles such as, "bugs eye view" or "children's eye view". What does the world look like to them? Since I don't have a drone, the "bird's eye view" view is out! Think about the different heights and how that can change your image. Good luck!

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

If someone walked up to me as you indicated, they are likely to need some immediate assistance with what they are doing most. I would ask what they like to shoot, ask if I could see a few of the shots they have just taken, from the camera back, etc. Likely depth of field, shutter blur for the average person and possibly ISO needs some correction for their type of shooting...

Example, recently this did happen to me. I think I got asked the question because I had a white L lens on my Canon......she said you must know what you are doing (really now??) and asked me to take her and her boy friends portrait, but with her camera and my lens. She had a Nikon so she got lesson one as to camera mounts. Second lesson, so simple really....they were trying to shoot the portrait for the beautiful background.......problem they wanted to shoot directly into the sun.

Most lessons to the average shooter are pretty simple I think. Compared to many of you here at UHH I am no expert. But to her I was an expert.....what was most important here......taking time to assist someone when we can is a good thing. I felt good about it for the rest of the day!

turp77 Loc: Connecticut, Plainfield

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

To those who liked my quote on page 1, thank you! I first saw it posted by someone else on UHH and I googled to find the originator. Presumably my search gave the correct response
This is a great tip and aided immensely by rotating LCD screens!

lsupremo Loc: Palm Desert, CA

A tip directly from Angel Adams “If you can’t make it bigger or more important, don’t push the button, just remember it from what it was”.

Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

If I had only had 1 tip to give it would be to learn the Exposure Triangle. This is most important in getting away from AUTO mode.

anotherview Loc: California

Study composition and exposure along with the importance of subject.

If beginning, attend a workshop or two in DSLR operation and in basic photo-editing. These workshops will give you a foundation and confidence to build on.

Start with an easier photo-editing program, like Photoshop Elements.

Some say to join a camera club.

Know that foremost as a craft, photography requires practice in the field to learn it. Book learning, online tutorials, and classroom instruction go only so far.

Worthy photography results from diligence, skill, and experience.

Begin with only one camera and one lens (a medium zoom lens, for versatility). Not the gear but the use of the gear by the operator produces good photographs.

I cannot emphasize enough to avoid the siren song of the salesmen and the marketers who will lure you to buy this or that piece of gear or software which they seem to promise will improve your photography. View that inherent promise as nothing more than bull pucky.

You do NOT need a backpack to carry around several pieces of gear in readiness for any photographic moment you may encounter. Let the models with their fixed smiles in the advertisements wear a backpack. Assume that you do not need a backpack to become a good photographer. Travel light.

Beginners (and even advanced photographers) need only a sling bag for carrying a single camera with lens and a few accessories (like a spare battery, an extra memory card, a circular polarizer filter, and a simple lens cleaning kit). Finding that one sling bag that suits your need may take awhile, though.

Note that most airlines will let you carry on a sling bag containing your photo gear.

Buy more gear only when you sense the need for more gear to do your photography -- for example, macro photography.

Learn from your mistakes and successes.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I would never "barf irrelevant features and benefits" in someone's proverbial lap. I would simply ask them what they intended to photograph, or what they're trying to do with their photography, and what sort of results they expect. I would base my answer(s) (or directions to others' answers) on their response. There's no point in providing information that isn't germane to the immediate situation.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

"Shoot what made you look." Actually this was advice given by George Lapp during a critique session. He was referring to my propensity for shooting the "big" scene, and was encouraging me to instead shoot a selected part of the scene.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

You need to know only four things: Composition, Lighting, Your Equipment, Your Subject.

GAS496 Loc: Arizona

Learn the most you can about the medium. That way you know how to manipulate the camera and post process and then can begin to grow as an artist/observer of the things around you.

The best way to do this is to go to school. Taking some classes at a local community college is the cheapest and quickest way to reach any goals you may have. (I have been enrolled in a class every semester since 2002. I consider myself an accomplished large format photographer but are always learning something new. Perhaps the greatest benefit is from being with other photographers and we feed off each other’s energy, creativity and enthusiasm for the medium.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It depends on a lot. But if they are a person that I can plainly see is a beginner and they are looking for my #1 tip, it would be to get out and shoot as much as possible and to use a tripod.

JennT Loc: South Central PA

Practice, practice with a purpose and kindness to your self when you cull errors!

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

Photography is not what you see but what you make others see.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

20% if they are nice about it. Oh, wait, wrong subject. As for photography tips the one thing I always try to do is take pictures of things either as I would like to see the picture or as my friend that I will share it with will see the picture. Let it tell a story--even if very small.

Others have said the same thing in different ways.