TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR - Member
I'd say (only my opinion) that anyone can learn to take photographs that will be visually exceptional - yes, some people will find this easier than others - but only certain people will be able to develop a talent for playing a musical instrument to an advanced level.
I understand it's your opinion but couldn't disagree more. One of my wedding photography heroes (Jeff Ascough) goes looking for compositions I couldn't imagine and then nails them. I wouldn't even have thought of looking for them.
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Light - usually best in the morning and evening, midday tends to be very harsh unless it is winter. Overcast, diffuse light can work much better with black and white.
Composition - Without a good subject the shot is nothing. Try crouching down or getting elevated more from where you would normally see something. Unless it is an abstract shot you need something to lead the eye through the picture, either through object placement or the direction people are looking. Try the rule of thirds for a good start (e.g. user removed's pic above - woman's face, window cross piece on the intersection of the 1/3 lines, then the eye is led through the picture first by the window frame, then the woman (main focus), then the reflected man framing her face. There is also the added smile of the little girl looking out of scene, and the split of the groups inside and outside. There is a lot going on in that photo!).
Content - needs to "mean" something to others, not just to you. Why are you taking the picture? Again look at photos and try and break them down and find why the work for you. What do photos that you find uninspiring lack and vice versa?
Try and think through the camera. When you wander around look for shots, most likely you will have to come back when the light and conditions are right. I've also never really been able to combine biking and taking photos I consider to be good. I have found locations to return to though when the light and conditions were right.
And if you buy a DSLR you probably won't take it riding due to the size. Stick with what you have until it can no longer do what you want.
