Picture perfect

I want to take better pictures. Do you have any advice or tips to offer?
Take lots and lots of pictures. Don’t go out and buy an expensive top of the line camera if you’re just starting out. You can take really great pictures with an average point-and-shoot camera…honest! Experiment with light (for example, try shooting late afternoon when the shadows are long), shoot from different angles, take your camera out of auto/program mode and go on and mess with the manual settings. Be patient. Check out other people’s photoblogs and pictures and if something inspires you, find out how the person got the shot and try to recreate it. Search the internet for photography tutorials if you’re looking for technical advice, there are tons of that stuff out there and most of it is free. Go through your camera’s manual because it usually contains helpful info on how to get the most out of your camera. Be open to constructive criticism (it’s inevitable), but if you take a picture you are really proud of don’t pay attention to the critics. Take your time and give yourself some room to move. Just keep on taking pictures and you will eventually develop a style that’s all your own. Relax and enjoy yourself.
(I am definitely NOT the authority when it comes to photography, so please feel free to leave your advice and tips in the comment area.)