A professional photographer once observed "People don't consider themselves pianists simply because they purchased a piano and yet they believe buying a camera automatically makes them a photographer." A bit harsh? Maybe... but still pretty close to the mark. Anyone who owns a camera can be a picture taker but becoming a photographer owes more to the person behind the camera than the hardware. With photography, like most artistic pursuits, it seems the more you learn the more you realize you don't know.
One suggestion I would make if you want to be more than just a picture taker/image recorder is to spend some time at your local bookseller perusing photography books. When you find one (or two or three) that excites and inspires you, buy it. I have photo related books on my shelf dating back to the late Seventies that I still refer to. Even though the technical info may be irrelevant in the digital age, chapters on artistic vision, composition, lighting etc are still practical, and more importantly, still inspiring. There is plenty of info on the internet but there is something about the tactile experience of leafing the pages of a book that makes for time well spent. And having a favorite photo book within easy reach on the shelf makes for quick reference or inspiration when you need it.
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