Not getting close enough
This is the biggest issue that seen with new photographers, and images that are less effective; not getting close enough to the subject. This means you have to either zoom in with your lens, or in many cases get physically closer. When you are shooting take a test shot and then analyze it. Look at the technical aspects such as; focus, exposure, and white balance – but then take a look at the composition.
Blurry image due to small aperture and slow shutter speed
You may have heard that shooting in aperture priority mode when shooting hand held is the way to go, I would tend to agree and that’s how I shoot most of the time. However, what I find is that many beginners set the aperture much too small and the result is the need for a really slow shutter speed as a consequence.
Always shooting at eye-level
You see the world from the same height all the time, your own eye level. So when you see an image taken at that same height it can feel very familiar and ordinary. When you step outside of that and change your camera level your photos will become more interesting to your viewers almost instantly.
Shooting in manual mode, missing the shot
Another thing you may have heard is that you need to shoot in manual mode to be a real photographer, or that is how the pros do it so you should endeavor to use manual all the time.
I see too many missed shots due to newbies trying to mess with the exposure settings in manual, or just forgetting to set the exposure, and getting a completely unusable image that is either way under or overexposed.
Not knowing your camera and buttons well enough
Knowing your camera and all its buttons and settings is key to being able to shoot in a hurry when necessary. Being able to do that take practice, plain and simple. Ideally you want to be able to adjust your ISO, shooting mode, focus point, exposure compensation, aperture and shutter speed without taking the camera away from your eye, or having to go through the entire menu system. If you aren’t there yet – practice.