How can a novice improve?

Keep Practicing ?

Actually best way to improve your skills besides reading a professional books which are avaible in almost every store , is practising. You just go make tons of pics then come back and watch them carefully. You must point on every photo what was made in a good metter and what was wrong. If you do so , next day go to the same spot and try fixing your errors. After few such a trips you will see that your photos were improving from the begining and you will see that your pics from normal half good ones will became semi professional a then proffessional :) And remember - keep up your work even if you cant see any progress! Just try more and more until you will see the good results!

Since digital cameras are part computer, they can be programmed to do some neat tricks that were inconceivable with traditional 35mm cameras. Few of these effects are necessary; in fact, I’d choose a camera based on solid features like the zoom, lens quality, and overall handling before I looked too hard at whether the camera included a video mode or sepia tint. Nonetheless, these are some of the effects you may see: Panorama mode This feature takes wide-screen-style images either by automatically cropping the top and bottom off an image or by letting you stitch together several pictures to create one oversized one. Movie mode Some cameras can capture short, low-resolution video clips as well as still images. Don’t confuse this with high-quality digital video, though—the results are strictly for Web pages. Tint modes With special settings, you can take black-and-white or sepia-tinted stills. Remember, though, that you can achieve the same effect in an image editor on the PC after the picture is taken, so you aren’t losing anything if your camera lacks this feature. In fact, I’d say it’s better to start with a full-color image; that way you can do whatever you like to it later and always have the high-quality original to fall back on.5

My best advice would be to just keep practicing. I had the hardest time using lighting since I was so used to shooting everything outdoors, even if I did shoot posed portraits sometimes. But after a lot of practice, I learned quite a bit. I think you just have to step out of your comfort zone and try different things. The good thing about digital is, you don't have to worry about spending money on a ton of film and developing. I think even with a point and shoot, you can still learn a lot. The close up pictures might have something to do with the camera though. I've found when I'm not using my Nikon, I can't get as close to objects and I think having a Nikon has totally spoiled me on having good macro.

I learned how to take good photos with a lot of practice. Adjusting the lighting and the white balance can take a great deal of practice, but these days I have done it so much that I know what adjustments need to be made on my camera in order to get the best quality photos. I have played with shutter speeds, white balance, the autofocus, and a number of other features available on my camera enough so that I know them all inside and out. Keep practicing and as other have said buy a book or take a class. That will only help you to know all of these things better.

i think the best way is keeping pricting

Try Researching about digital photography on the internet. I think you could learn a lot by your research. Experiment on lightings and any things you are interested. I researched many topics about it because I am interested in photograyphy too.

Sorry Rhino I wish I could help you there but I have no clue about this I do hope someone can help you there I really do

Remember the subject and lighting is everything. I am sure you got a book with the camera. They have helpful tips. Use the preview screen with your shots and that should help at bit. Also play around taking pictures of different things and that will help you develop the eye you need for composing portrait and close ups. Good Luck!!

Two things will make you a better photographer: 1. Take a class or seminar, if you can, or read books and/or visit websites about photography. 2. Take pictures. Lots and lots and of pictures. The only way you'll ever improve is by shooting. Some of the things you'll learn if you study photography in a class or from a book or website are: Use the rule of thirds, which states putting your subject a third away from the edge of the frame. It makes the shot more interesting. Another piece of advice pro photographers always give is when shooting up close, fill the frame with your subject.

If you need any tips for taking photos visit the manufacturer website,for example I own a Panasonic Lumix ,when i brought that ,i was in search of tips for better shooting,but after visiting the panasonic website i learned a lot from them .They offer many video tutorials and more user reviews.

i suggest you to take a digital photography course from a reputed institute. i do not know where do you live in but whereever you live, i believe there must be any good photography learning institution. best of luck!

Don't use flash. Photos will be more attractive.