Be Critical of your own work
I am very detailed with what I do, I don't care if everyone else thinks it looks good, I can find something I absolutely hate about it. You have to be your worst critic. When you take a image, especially at the beginning stages of learning regardless if you’re not happy with or not, don’t delete it. Spend some time looking at it and work out what you don’t like about it- ask someone to give an unbiased opinion. Do you see a pattern? Try to correct the mistakes on your next shoot. If it still annoys you, put it on your list.
Learn your weakness and improve on them
Before you can improve at anything, you need to work out what is actually your weakness is and admit it. Write a list of things you don’t feel confident with, it can be as long or as short as you like but try to keep each one as narrow as possible. When you have your list, concentrate on just one item from it and spend time practicing, researching and doing everything you can to improve that particular aspect of your photography. When you feel confident with it, cross it off and move onto the next one.
Challenge your Photography
Challenge yourself with something to aim for, regardless of what it is. Make it something you consider achievable. If for example, you want to improve your macro photography skills, don’t just take a hundreds or images of a object, create a challenge that will take you out of your comfort zone, like getting yourself a shot of a squirrel holding a nut. This is a great way to improve your photography, doing different things from your norm changes how you look at things and push you to do better.
Try New Things
The worst thing you can do is take shot after shot of the same things, with the same settings. Even if there’s something you are brilliant at, it is always good to make changes to make sure you don’t get complacent. You might learn something that will improve what you are already great at, but it’s even more important for beginners, trying new things will definitely speed up the learning process.
Find Inspiration
Its a good idea to find inspiration from other photographers in your area. Look around the internet, in magazines, even in shopping malls where there may be many promotional posters. Try taking ideas from the material rather than copying them, so you can develop your own unique style. Don't be afraid to ask local photographers how and why they did a concept, not all of us are snobs..
Learn From Others
Look at why that particular shot is so good... study it, what do their photographs have that yours does not? This is a great way of improving your own photography, as you look closer at photographs rather than just thinking "that looks HOT " and moving on to the next. You as a artist should check your composition, lighting, and every dam detail.
Shoot, Shoot and Shoot Again
Every time you press the shutter button you learn, keep experimenting! You can read all kinds of books, but you will still learn faster just by doing and learning from your own mistakes. Spend some time taking and studying your shots of the same subject, over and over again in different ways. Pay attention on how the light and shadow changes with the different angles every-time you shoot.
Listen to Feedback
Always get other opinions instead of just judging your own work. Ask them what they like and dislike about the image. Also, ask for feedback from other photographers. Ask for their opinion, what they think you could do to make it better, and what mistakes they see. Those who have no idea about photography can still give an opinion that could make you realize something you could have done to improve the shot, so get feedback from as many different sources as possible.
Don’t Give Up
The final tip is the most important of them all. If you really want to improve your skills as an photographer, it takes time, dedication and commitment. Everyone has to start somewhere, and many people do give up when they get impatient or frustrated, but stick with it and you will get there. Don’t expect brilliant results instantly, becoming a good photographer takes time and isn’t something that can be learned overnight.
