Even if you don’t have a professional digital SLR most point-and-shoot cameras have the capability to take some beautiful images, if you know what you’re doing. Point-and-shoot cameras are also more convenient in many situations than carrying around a digital SLR with multiple lenses.

Jason Fitzpatrick for Lifehacker has some tips on how to use your digital point-and-shoot camera to its fullest potential. He also covers some basic photography lessons, like using the rule of thirds to compose your shot to add interest to the photograph. The best advise is to simply start shooting – “No amount of reading tips or tricks will make you a better photographer or fill up your memory card with great shots, but practice and experimenting will. Scribble down a few tips you want to try out from our guide, grab your camera, and start shooting. If you try a new technique, whether you ditch the flash, shoot from a new angle, or try out the priority modes on your camera”

Get the Most from your Point-and-Shoot Camera

Just because you’ve got a relatively inexpensive point-and-shoot camera and not a $1500+ DSLR rig doesn’t mean you can’t take awesome photos. Here’s a look at how you can elevate your regular old point-and-shoot shots to greatness.

…Since a point-and-shoot is the camera most likely to be with you, even if you own a DSLR, squeezing the most photo-taking-greatness out of your point and shoot is a worthwhile endeavor. The following guide covers several key areas for moving beyond basic snap shots and moving towards taking photos you’d want to do more than update your Facebook status with.