While digital cameras take excellent pictures, just point and shoot, it is the photographer who makes the shots amazing. No matter how good the camera is, if you aren't willing to put a little effort into them, you will come up with mediocre prints at best.
A little information and a few adjustments and you can create big-time quality photos with the least expensive of digital cameras. Here are a couple of suggestions to help you along your way:
* The default while balance on digital cameras is usually set a little too bright. It can tend to give your photos a cold feeling. This works on most shots, but on some it is just too bright.
Warm it up a little by changing your white balance from auto to cloudy; it is similar to putting a warming filter on the camera. What this does is increase the yellow and reds giving warmer pictures. No more ice!
It may sound funny, but try holdings a pair of sunglasses over the lens is another way to hold down on the white balance, and it is a lot less expensive than those specialty filters. Try a few test photos, and you will be surprised by the differences you can create. Try colored lenses for another effect.
* A quality polarizing filter is something every photographer should have, but if your camera doesn't accommodate filters, try the old sunglasses trick again.
Use a quality pair of sunglasses and hold them as close to the camera as you can (without getting the frames in the picture). For landscapes and most outdoor shooting, this reduces the glare and unwanted reflections; your shots have richer color and no glare.
Take a look at scenery with and without your sunglasses, especially the sky, and you will see a big difference; then do the same for your photos. Position yourself with the sun over your shoulder, this give the best polarizing effect.