Behold, exhibit A.
That was taken at Hollingworth Lake near Rochdale, mid 2007, a few months into me having my first DSLR.
I cringe when I look at it. The only thing that's half-decent on it, is the exposure, and even that's not bang on as it was slightly lighter IIRC. The white balance, the exposure, the noise, the composition, all shockingly terrible. And at the time, I thought that was good.
Exhibit B.
Again, taken at Hollingworth Lake, just over a year later, late 2008.
Can't remember exactly what settings I used for the first one, but at a guess i'd say f/5.6, ISO200, 2-3 second shutter speed at the most. The second one was shot at f/16, ISO100, 30 second shutter shot on bulb mode with remote replease. First one was shot with a Canon 400D & 18-55mm kit lens, second was shot with a Canon 40D & 50mm f/1.8 II lens (Nifty Fifty)
I thought it was a good comparason to show just how important it is to learn what does what and when to use it.
In fact you should be charging for it.
