We all make mistakes and that is nothing to be ashamed of. Without mistakes, we would not learn anything. We learn from our mistakes, but to learn we do not have to make mistakes.
Beginners and a bit more experienced photographers make a lot of mistakes. Trying to avoid those mistakes will make your learning less steep.
Here area few mistakes that I have noticed a lot of photographers make when they are starting out and these are the same mistakes I made when I started. (and I still make some of them…)
There is no subject in your image.
Try always to have something that interests the viewer’s eye. Without any places for the viewer’s eye to rest most likely the image is very boring. Having something in the foreground will lead the viewer’s eye into the image. Making a good composition is crucial. Having layers, something in the front, something in the middle, and in the back will make the image more interesting.
Learning how to make a good composition makes a big difference.
Learn how to make a perfect exposure
Getting the exposure correct when making the image will give you the best possible image for editing. With modern cameras, there is no excuse to over or underexpose your images. I have plenty of videos about exposure on my YouTube channel. Watching those videos will help you to be better in your exposures.
Check your background
Having distracting elements in the background can ruin your image. Those distractions will draw attention to your subject. Always check around your subject that there are now elements that will steal the attention of the viewer.