Since the background is as important as the subject, you mustn't let it default by chance. You must control not only vertical and horizontal, you must be aware of the depth of field (or lack of it) that you want in the background.

Had I not been told to look, I would have quite, ignorant of what was really there, because I had 'made plans' and was wearing visual and emotional blinders that limited my perceptions and my vision.

I take pictures, and they are there for the taking. I'll tell you a quote that I have always thought about. Arthur Miller said, I try to create the poem from the evidence.

It's a lot easier to take pictures if you always have the camera with you.

You see shape, and how the light hits things, how the color changes from one end of the photo to the other, and how movement affects the mood of the photo.

When we are given gifts, we must be quick and able to accept them.

The best camera is the one you have with you.