16. Reflections are our friends!

16. Reflections are your friends. Use reflections to help tell your story. Whether it's a canoe just out of the water with trees and your friend's reflection or a sunset mirrored in the lake, maybe a passer by looking at someone in a cafe's window. Reflections are often there for us to use, not to fear.

15. Shoot into the Sun!

15. Shoot into the sun! Never underestimate the power of shooting into the sun. Of course you'll have to get creative and block it either totally or partially, adjust your exposure, and be aware of where the shadows fall, but the results can be worth the planning. Increase the impact of your images by putting that "big light" behind them!

14. Out of Context Subjects

14. Out of context subjects. Lynn Murphy from New Brunswick has allowed me to use her image to illustrate this idea. Take the viewer by surprise by placing your subject in a location or situation that it normally wouldn't be in! Always keep them guessing!!

13. Monochromatic.

13. Monochromatic. Try it, you will be surprised at the possibilities. It forces you to properly compose, light and design your image. It's like a black & white image, just choose different colours and tones of that colour.

12. Love or Inspiration

12. Take images of something that you love or inspires you. You will care more about the outcome, and have more patience. It is possible you already know how that subject will look it's best, so a favorable outcome should follow.

11. Get Real Close!

11. Get really close! This perspective opens up many new possibilities. Flowers, dirt, folds in skin, eyes, the list is endless. Get real close, and discover a new world!

10. Morning Light

10. Never underestimate the value of waking up early and shooting the morning light. There is nothing like it. It's magical, animals are out, dew on everything. A great tranquil time to possibly get some of your best images!

9. Side Entrance

9. Side entrance of your main subject is a great way to switch things up. Especially if they are, or are close to horizontal themselves.

8. A Spot of Colour

8. A spot of colour can be quite dramatic. Try photographing a colour palette with a splash of a contrasting colour. Sometimes that's all you need to create a powerful image.

7. Rule of Thirds

7. The Rule of Thirds. This is one of the first rules you are taught in an introductory art class. Put the center of interest in one of the areas, where, if you were to draw lines to divide the image into thirds, the lines intersect. Here the mushroom, or point of interest, is in the upper left intersection point.

6. Tone on Tone

6. Tone on tone is a great way to present an idea. Try to shoot your subject on the same colour it is, use your lighting to make your subject separate from the rest of the elements in your image.

5. Kids or Animals

5. When shooting kids or animals, get down at their level, and have some fun!

4. Colour Harmony

4. Sometimes the simplest of images are the most striking. The colour harmony and diagonal element combined with the calm water helps make this image last. If you are a camper you can relate to the early morning start, even if you are not the serenity is calming.

3. Lead the Eye

3. Lead the viewers eye, provide some interest or action to your image. In this image, your eyes are lead along the train tracks and off into the distance of your imagination.

2. K.I.S.S.

2. Keep it simple and avoid distracting backgrounds. Eliminate power lines, posts, and other visual noise form your images and lead the viewers eye where you want it to go.

1. Get Closer

1. Get closer: if there is one point I would offer to aspiring shooters, it would be to get closer than you think you need to be. Fill the frame. Don't be so far back you loose the beautiful expression of your subject.