What's one piece of advice that you'd like to pass along to intermediate amatures?

Don't forget to charge your batteries.

and pack your memory cards.

....it's amazing how many forget!

TJ

I keep a battery in my car & a 1GB card in my pocket, so as long as I drive & remember to wear my pants...

Stay away from photography forums unless you really truly have a problem; otherwise, you'll end up spending your time only shooting and discussing brick walls and tape measures as well as likely spending way more than you can afford to on gear you never thought you wanted.

Just kidding... sort of. Other than that, I'm not qualified to offer advice. Oh... maybe just 'keep having fun!'

Even though I am still very much an amateur here theres always things to pass on and learn because you never get to stop learning.

Always have a backup... whether its another dslr, a point and shoot, or a film camera.
-Sometimes those once in lifetime shots don't wait for you to be ready.

Make sure you know the rules of photography, know your camera, etc but then when your shooting, take pictures from the right brain. Don't muddle your creativity with rules or your pictures wont be the same - eventually they will work together with experience. If it comes down to it: capture the moment not the photographically correct, perfectly composed boring photo.

LotsToLearn wrote in post #3696592
Stay away from photography forums unless you really truly have a problem; otherwise, you'll end up spending your time only shooting and discussing brick walls and tape measures as well as likely spending way more than you can afford to on gear you never thought you wanted.

Just kidding... sort of. Other than that, I'm not qualified to offer advice. Oh... maybe just 'keep having fun!'

best advice right her.

René Damkot wrote in post #3682706
Think & talk about light, not equipment.

Its all about the light... Learn it and its different qualities. How to capture it and its qualities. Its what its really all about.

To intermediate amateur... (assuming you mastered exposure)

Shoot film for a couple of months. It changes the way you shoot.

Glad to see you back Doc.

True, my film days really helped me take it to the next level when I wanted to become a "photographer"

Never assume you know everything. Learning is lifelong.

what you leave out of the photo is as important as what you put in it.
don't be afraid to make mistakes.
Learn the rules...... and then break them.
understand that not every shot is a keeper... not even every other shot.
and step away from the viewfinder every once in awhile. Look around, really look around.. and then shoot.

sari

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #3698256
Shoot film for a couple of months. It changes the way you shoot.

cosworth wrote in post #3698314
True, my film days really helped me take it to the next level when I wanted to become a "photographer"

Hmmm... Must be a generational thing because it took me a very long time to throw off my film roots and allow me to fully embrace the wonders of digital. So maybe it should be modified.

For those with roots in film, toss away all the old preconceived ideas that worked so well with film and embrace the new and for those who started in digital, shoot film for a few months, it will make you appreciate digital.

Actually, the one I wanted to add that has not been mentioned here is:
Don't give in to equipment envy. Better equipment is great, but it will not improve your shooting as much as you believe it will. If your techniques suck with DRebel, a MKIII is not going to make them better.

Roy Mathers wrote in post #3695621
Learn to spell 'amateur'

Thank You! My fingers work faster than my brain sometimes.

I'm a super newbie, but, go out and shoot no matter what.

Learn, do, then learn from results.

Shoot the light. It's ALL ABOUT THE LIGHT!

Remember, THE LIGHT!

photographs, especially portraits, are more a reflection of the photographer than the subject.