Get a fishing rod or a net in the photo. It pays off to spend 30 seconds arranging a photo in order to enjoy the picture for a lifetime. Deer hunters somehow believe they are obligated to pose with a deer in the bed of a pickup. Include a bow or shotgun in the picture to tell the story. Shoot plenty of pictures.
Film is cheap.
Try different angles. If you're shooting wildlife, try to get the eye of the animal in focus. It draws the viewer into the photo. Photographers needn't travel to Yellowstone to find good subjects. I realize now that taking good pictures isn't altogether a matter of being in the right place at the right time, it's thinking about your shot in advance and knowing your equipment.