So you've just gotten your first Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera. You have read the manual and surfed a few websites, and now you're finally ready to get out there and shoot some pictures you'll be proud to frame on your wall.  Right?  Sure! But before you hit the pavement with your camera in-hand and film rolls in your bag, take a moment to read over these five tips that can help push your work from great to amazing.

1.  Dump the Flash

While it’s true that professional photographers often do use a flash or complicated light rigs, you shouldn't need a flash in most lighting conditions. Subjects shot without a flash often look more natural, and you’ll get much greater detail and depth by using natural light. Additionally, getting rid of the flash during your first week will make you a lot more familiar with how your camera works with light- giving you an invaluable skill as a beginning photographer.

2.   Turn Off Auto Focus

There's no arguing that a camera that auto-focuses is infinitely handy and easy to use. However, focusing on the fly is an important tool in any photographer's toolbox. Since cameras don't understand your intent, it's up to you to make sure you're focused on the right thing at the right moment. It's amazing how interesting an image can be when you let the focus be out of the direct center of the frame, so don't forget to set your camera to manual from time to time.

3.  Take a Photo Class

You can buy all the books in the world and browse the internet for days, but the absolute best way to learn about photography is in a hands on environment. Find a class at a community college or local art school and see how understanding photography will improve your work for the better. As a bonus, your photo teacher will likely give you assignments based on individual elements of photography that you probably never considered.

4.  Say Farewell to Color

Before you dive into color, buy a few rolls of T-Max 400 (great B&W film) and see if taking it back to the basics changes your interpretation of the world around you. You'll know it’s time to upgrade to color when you can shoot and print a black and white image that has pure black, pure white, and every shade in between. Taking photos in black and white will force your mind to think less about the "image" and more about the importance of how light interacts with the objects in the frame.

5.  Shoot, Shoot, Shoot

This may seem obvious, but if you're interested in becoming a "great" photographer, you'll need to shoot lots and lots of photos. The more you shoot, the better you'll get. Photography is often as much about luck and timing as it is technology and skill. Even "great" photographers only average three or four good shots at a time, so don’t worry about taking a lot of pictures. It's far worse to miss a photo opportunity than to take too many pictures!

There is no secret trick to being an amazing photographer. The more you challenge yourself, the better you'll become. If you start with a firm understanding of how your camera works and what it takes to make a good photograph, the rest will come in time. Your camera will never change, only your ability to manipulate it. So keep your SLR close and extra film or memory card on hand. Never be afraid to experiment with new ideas! And remember, the best picture you'll ever take is the one you're about to take. And once you have that fantastic image, don't forget to share it by framing it on your wall.