Doesn't it drive you nuts when you see the pictures that someone just took and they look amazing! For some, it just seems like everyone else is taking great pictures except you. Taking good pictures of people can be hard, but don't despair. An average digital camera can take great portraits if you keep a few simple guidelines in mind. Here are some solid fool proof methods that can help you snap great pics with that digital camera you have and get those great stills you've always wanted.

Choose the right camera settings. You did buy a camera with features right? So why not use them? Most digital cameras have a "portrait mode" built in. You can activate it by turning dial on your camera to the icon of the head. What this does is affect the depth of field, allowing you to get a sharp picture of the image in front, the person, and blurring out the stuff farther in back.

To get an even sharper image, blur the background even more. What you want to do is zoom the camera lens all the way in. This makes the background blur even more, throwing your subject into even sharper relief. Turn off digital zoom on your camera. Use optical zoom, which is the real zoom on your digital.

Next, make the flash go off. Do not just let the camera flash if it needs to, because it will only flash in dark situations, and you want to have the camera flash even in daylight. What the flash will do is soften the foreground, and put a gleam in your subjects' eyes. There is a setting on your camera that will allow you to set the flash. Check your manufacturers settings to learn how.

Great pictures are taken outside if you don't have serious studio lights. You want the natural light to help. Even if you are in a less than sunny day.

Once you're outside, place your subject such that the sun is behind and to one side of them. Make sure they are not directly facing the sun or they will squint. Placing the subject with the sun directly behind them will put the sun in directly in your camera lens and you will get odd effects.

If possible take your picture in the early morning or the late afternoon. The light at these times makes for the best photography. This is when the sun is at a farther angle to you and the subjects, making for more indirect and nicer lighting.

composing and shooting: Frame your shot so you get just the subject's head and maybe their shoulders. When you get in closer, you can get cleaner pictures, and tighter shots are usually neater.

Remember to zoom all the way in and then compose your shot. Again, zooming in first and then adjusting yourself will get you the best option in depth of field.

At this point, you are going to take the picture. Hold the trigger button down half way to allow the camera to auto focus and adjust. Let your subject relax, and smile naturally. Take the picture almost when the subject is not aware, so they are more natural.

Conclusion: Here is where the real secret lies. Take several pictures. Remember you have a digital camera and you are not using film? Even professional photographers take several snaps. You really never know which is the one you will want. You can always delete what you don't like.