If I could tell new photographers one thing...

[cphoniball]

I would tell them that selective colorization is gimmicky.

If you could tell every new photographer one thing (just one), what would you tell them?

[darosk]

I would quote HCB and tell them "Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst."

But it's okay, because like Zack Arias says, every great photographer has sucked at some point for some period of time.

[inkista]

How to hold the camera.

[Bob McClure]

Check the camera settings before aiming.

[m.c.adams]

If your new to photography, try it as a hobby for a few years. Their are about a million people out there that have gotten a DSLR in the last month and already have a website and are offering professional services.

[CanonRebelz]

I would tell them that “If you are out there shooting, things will happen for you. If you’re not out there, you’ll only hear about it.” – Jay Maisel said that, not me.
If you're using auto, or program mode, don't even begin to think about trying to make $$.
Learn your camera - learn what it can do for you.
Learn to rely not on your camera but more on your eye, learn to better compose, put things you learn into practice.

[FrankLamont]

Two things, actually.

Take off your lens cap.

And that the world does not revolve around HDR. Yes, it's nice, but it's not the only thing photography offers.

[naeno]

It's nearly impossible to get the "perfect" photo Straight Out Of Camera. However, figure out the rules of composition because those mistakes can NOT be fixed in post.

[DuckieLauren]

Originally Posted by FriedChicken

Two things, actually.

Take off your lens cap.

Ahahah, thanks for that.
Made me laugh.

[Jim Bryant]

Just because they can take a decent shot with dslr on Auto or P, don't think they're good enough to think about starting a photo biz with only a few months of owning a camera.