1001 free photography tips that you might be able to do without. But then again....

Learn how to underexpose the camera and boost the FEC on flash to get nice skies with portraits.

Store your lenses face-down in the bag. It's faster to change them that way.

I get it. This is a clever ploy to do away with competition from other photographers, isn't it? The idea is to get all the newbies to spend all their time reading and implementing every one of the 1001 rules.

How delightfully evil!!!

Expose to the right and shooting in RAW is essential to get the best high-ISO images. Even ISO3200 on my 30D look great!

When going for a casual walk (maybe with your significant other) take a small shoulder bag with your camera and maybe one extra lens. Don't bring all your gear. This forces you to work with what you got and can be really fun!

Landscapers: if possible, use a tripod and a shutter release cable (or self-timer). ALWAYS. No matter the shutter speed. There's other advantages beyond movement.

Landscapers: (dedicated, full-day shooters) - maximize your shooting time / day. Be self-contained, with everything from toilet paper to food to drink. You should never have to leave a great location to drive to the nearest town for lunch. Be able to pull to the side of the road, take your crap or eat your lunch, then be back at work in ten minutes.

If you want to shoot someone who is not a formal model, explain to them why you want to take the shot of them, as well as asking their permission. You know why you want the shot - they don't unless you tell them.

For portraits - in general - closer is better.

Know the basic compositional rules, and use them (they are there for a reason).

Learn when to break them!

Think about your composition!!! Take a look to all 4 corners of your viewfinder before you snap that shot.

You'rprobably shooting digital, and, while you don't want to be a "shotgun" shooter - one that sprays and prays in other words - take a lot of pictures! Memory is cheap.

Make sure there really is a memory card in the camera. Backup full cards twice before reformating.

Break the rules! Some of the most innovative photography is created by rule-breaking pioneers. The rule of thirds, for example, is not a rule. It is simply a "good compositional advisory." If you break it, your camera won't die!

Landscapers: (and others as applicable): shoot raw, shoot manual.