Just bought a digital camera. Anyone got any tips to achieve flattering photos?

Just bought a digital camera for the first time and ive never used one before. I know if used right a digital camera can generally make you look better, but so far the pictures i've taken havent been that flattering and I look a lot better in real life. So anyone got any tips?

Digital is much flexible compared to film photography. With dogital one can try different types of photos and until you are satisfied you can keep deleting.
My litle advise is that before learning anything else learn how to compose the picture.Forget about anything else for time being. Than next step will be to expose the picture accurately (ie shutter speed to match lens opening-aperture.
Learn one step at a time and you will become a good photographer.
Also browse websites to chat with forum members for advise,like the links given below.

shine a light in front of your face and hold the camera infront of the light.

It takes a while to get used to all the bells and whistles on a digital camera. I've had one for a month and am still trying to get me head around it. Get a photo processing programme such as Corel or Adobe which will allow you to get rid of red-eye and other boo-boos such as bad contrast etc. Practise taking photos of the same thing with different settings (write them down) and see what gives you the best results. It's a bit of a hassle but it's the only way I've found out what works best.

Use a bit of telephoto, I assume you have some zoom.
The closer you are to the subject, the weirder they look. Back away and zoom in.
Also, keep your light source to the side so they don't squint into the sun.

Try taking portraits in good natural light. I've found that Flash really washes out the face. Digitals compensate extremely well for normal lighting. Remember you can always adjust brightness, contrast, hues etc when you've downloaded to your pc.

Don't take full face on, but slightly from one side.

Finally, posed pictures just don't work when us amateurs take them!

Avoid flash. Try to use natural light; the mornings and evenings are much better than around midday.

Lots of practise!

It depends on how much shutter lag there is on your specific camera.

Shooting models is a lot like shooting sports where timing of the shot is everything. When you see the pose you like as the model is moving around, the "point and shoot" cameras may provide disappointing results.

Next lighting is important. Take a look at One Model Place or Model Mayhem and look at the way the photographers have used lighting to enhance a models "look".

A few points:
1) dont put the subject of your photo in the middle of the picture
2) NOT using flash gives the photo depth and natural colour. Only use the flash when you have to.
3) The flash only has a few metres range. So dont think the camera can light up something far away like at a sports game.
4) dont just take photos of people. For landscape, sunsets, etc, play around with the zoom
5) dont zoom in too much. Usually cameras have a line or indication when the lens is at its optical zoom limit - and before it uses the digital zoom
6) for a shot that you want to do your best on - take multiple photos and cull out the ones you dont want
7) keep the light to your back - or whatever causes even lighting.
8) take advantage of early morning and late afternoon/early evening lighting for good quality photos

As you are new type in facefilter xpress for a clever piece of trickery download that is free &gives a online demo to get you started with fun.Good luck

When you view before printing, touch them up to your satisfaction.

When using the flash, cover the flash with a cigarette paper.
It will slightly diffuse the flash, and make the picture look softer.....

Ive done it myself lots of times....

Also, just play around with it, and get to 'know' the camera. You cant do any harm.........

use lots of color in the shot, and never put the subject in front of backgrounds that are as white/light or lighter than the subject. Light may be flashed on to hide blemishes, and high contrast, but dark backgrounds make the shot more brilliant!