The result was a spot in a field of green. Get closer to your subject. Get closer than you think you need to be, and you'll end up with much better photos. Don't always place your subject in the center of the photo. Move the subject off to the side or toward the top or bottom of the view screen.
Most people use only the horizontal.
Be different and use the vertical. This technique is good with buildings, trees, and people. For practice in seeing and composing the picture, go through several large magazines, looking for scenic photographs. Cut out those that are as large as you can find. These may be photos of mountains or gardens or forests.