On a more personal note.

1. Before everything else, make sure you take pictures with a CAMERA.

2. Never ever detest people who use camera phones or point-and-shoot cameras

3. If you can, ALWAYS LOOK THROUGH THE VIEWFINDER and not the LCD monitor because you get to see the real color of the subject and scene.

4. Clean your camera monitor at least once a week.

5. Recycle. White bond paper and aluminum foil can serve as reflectors. Used cellophane can be reused as filters. Darkly tinted glasses (good quality) can be used as polarizers.

6. Patience is a virtue.

7. Get a mentor. He or she can be your next door neighbor or someone a thousand miles away.

8. Set up a deviantART or Flickr account so your photos can be critiqued.

9. Never flame other photographers who you think are not so important as you. Remember, you once started like them.

10. Make sure you know what you’re taking a picture of.

11. Unfocused pieces are masterpieces as well.

12. Always have an extra battery packed in your camera back.

13. Rain and sun have their own corresponding beauty. It’s up to you to see what the difference is.

14. Download tutorials from the internet, then if you still don’t get it, ask someone to help you.

15. Make sure you also bring a tripod if you suffer from non-flash Parkinson’s disease.

16. TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAMERA!!!

17. The most expensive camera is not always the best.

18. When buying a camera, touch it first. If you feel tingly inside, then you and that camera are meant to be for each other.

19. Don’t harass people just so you can take a picture.

20. Faking a Press Pass is a good thing when doing some photojournalism shots. Make sure you don’t get caught.

21. A photo going through 30 photoshop actions = not a photograph anymore.

22. Deleting is a good thing sometimes.

23. Bending the rules of photography gives you a better picture.

24. Changing the color of your photo does not mean you’ve manipulated it.

25. Have fun.

26. You don’t have to always be in a positive mood to take pictures.

27. Be careful in the rain when taking pictures.

28. Mother Nature will always be here to inspire us, but sometimes it’s good to make your own creation.

29. The camera takes better photos than you do, but you take more interesting shots than it does (a thought coming from daverspertine)

30. Never think you’re never good. The trick is to always do what you do because it’s the only way to improve.

31. As much as possible don’t rely on your family or friends who do not have a background on art or courses on critique. My mom is an artist so I pretty much get good critique from her (good meaning that its content is stuffed up with both positive and negative comments).

32. Always have a camera strap.

33. It’s always good to go on photo shoots with fellow photographers. That way you can exercise and share your talent with other people.

34. Apply sunscreen when taking photos under the sun.

35. Never disregard the small things around you.

36. Keep in mind that you’ll be traveling when you’re a photographer.

37. Be active in contests (RL or online). Encourage yourself to do commissions.

38. Investing in photography is good, but remember you love taking photos more than money (this applies depending on your priorities).

39. Any kind of creation makes a creator a happy person! (coming from tasssos8)

40. You can’t spell photographer without HOT.