How to Take a Good Photo Using 10 Rules + That Photo I'm Afraid to Take

10 Rules:

1. Incorporate basic rules/photography tools: rule of thirds, framing, diagonals & lines, etc. - but especially the rule of thirds.
2. a. If shooting with film, remember that colors become greys.
   b. If shooting in digital/color, be aware of lighting and how it makes colors look that way
3. Only change the ISO if absolutely necessary, in most situations; otherwise, 800 & below is ideal.
4. Photograph friends, not necessarily WITH friends, unless those friends are also photographers.
5. Do not always rely on the light meter.
6. Bracket, especially for digital.
7. Have patience. Lots of patience.
8. When shooting landscape/scenery, be especially especially ESPECIALLY aware of what's in your frame.
   
9. Be aware of touchy, possibly dangerous or possibly risky subject matter/shooting locations.
10. Note & experiment with the angles at which you are viewing and COULD view things; move around, crouch, get on your tummy, tower over things, climb...

That Photograph I'm Afraid to Take
The commercial moneymakers, the magazine covers, the makeup ads, the royal gatherings: portraits. I mean, sure, I know the basics, I know there's that weird angle that makes the subject's nose awkwardly huge, there are certain ways to light certain subjects, there are certain lighting situations for certain moods and reasons, reflectors are a necessity, poses are important... Yet I still don't feel quite as confident as I suppose I should (I was even sort of relieved when I turned down the Picture People, who called me back for a job interview). It's the idea of the glamorous Annie Leibovitz portrait, the must-be-perfect wedding portrait that intimidates me. But these reasons are partially why I'm here.