One thing some people don't think about when taking a photo is the look of the final image. Purposely framing and composing elements of the picture in the viewfinder before snapping the shot will usually result in a much better final image.Try thinking of composing the picture as seeing all the visible elements in the viewfinder as parts, and then putting them together as a pleasing whole. Consider what the viewer(s) want to see, then determine the best way to display the main subject.
Also, decide if you should hold the camera vertically or horizontally before snapping the shutter. If you are taking a photo of a single person right in front of you, it is best to hold the camera in the vertical position. If not, you will likely have too much wasted space on each side of the image. On the other hand if you are taking a group or landscape, it is usually better to hold the camera in the horizontal position. You will fill more of the frame with the main subject(s).
Also, decide if you should hold the camera vertically or horizontally before snapping the shutter. If you are taking a photo of a single person right in front of you, it is best to hold the camera in the vertical position. If not, you will likely have too much wasted space on each side of the image. On the other hand if you are taking a group or landscape, it is usually better to hold the camera in the horizontal position. You will fill more of the frame with the main subject(s).