Thank you for the nice comments. I will gladly share tips. I will post a few right now and more as they come to me. It is not easy to think of tips because I have been a serious photographer since I was in short pants in the 50s with a Brownie Starflex.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yldwbfIuC2APc0KGQRIDfdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
The most important rule of course is to always have a camera with you on your person. No one cares to hear about the time you saw Bigfoot but didn't have a camera.
The second most important rule (these are rules for me, use them as you wish) is to read the flipping manual. Not once, not twice but at least three times, one month apart. What I do is I download the manual as soon as I order a camera and read it completely before I even put the camera into my hands. Then when I get the camera I completely reread the manual with the camera in my lap. I do everything described in the manual. Try everything out. Then a month or so later I repeat the drill and maybe a fourth time a month or so later. Frequently I am asked to photograph couples when I am out and about and I am shocked to find out that 95% of the people have no clue how to turn the flash on. Do you know how to turn your flash on? If not find out right now.
The third most important thing to me is always make sure the sun is hitting you in the back of your head (if physically possible) before pushing the shutter button. Or another way to look at it is to look down on the ground and make sure your shadow is pointing at your subject. Now there are going to be some advanced photographers who will argue with me and tell me about all the beautiful artistic shots taken with side lighting (Meet the Beatles LP cover comes to mind) and back lighting. Good for them, but this is advice for people who are beginners just looking to have their photos come out nice.
Photography is light. Period. You need light and lots of it to get a decent image.
Your flash is your best friend. I always turn on the flash if I am photographing something closer than 10 feet. Many times I shoot one shot with the flash and one without then discard the one I like least.
