After years of shooting and teaching, I see the same three mistakes kill otherwise great photos:

1. Centring everything

Your subject doesn't always belong in the middle. Try the rule of thirds — place your subject where the grid lines intersect. It instantly creates more dynamic, professional-looking images.

2. Ignoring the background

A tree growing out of someone's head. A bin in the corner. These kill your shot. Before you press the shutter, scan the edges of your frame. Move your feet. Small shifts make massive differences.

3. Shooting at eye level only

Get low. Get high. Tilt. Crouch. The most interesting photos come from angles people don't normally see the world from. A puddle reflection shot from ground level will always outperform a standing snapshot.

These aren't advanced techniques — they're fundamentals that separate snapshots from photographs. Master them and your work will improve overnight.

I break down stuff like this daily inside Murphy's Lens Club. If you're serious about learning photography from scratch, come join us.