Improving Your Photography

We've all heard it: "Practice makes perfect." But it's easier to quote this than to actually do it.
Some aspiring photographers complain because all they have is a "cat or dog" as their subject. Whether you have subjects ready at hand or stationary objects, you can still practice and accomplish much.
1) Know your cameraI'll confess: it still shocks me how many people buy a DSLR, brag about a fancy camera, but have no clue how to use it. Read your camera's manual (sorry Nikons, I've heard that t...