How to avoid over-reliance on camera presets and develop a personal photography style?

so i was taking this cool sunset pic rn and the camera locked focus on a branch in the foreground?? like whyyy?? i switched to manual but it was too l

I've been shooting my cat Luna for a while, but the photos look a bit flat. I want sharper, more detailed shots, especially of her whiskers and eyes.

so i took like 50 pics of my dog in the park last week trying to get that "cinematic" look right?? used f/8 thinking higher numbers = blurrier backgro

I've been watching this local artist develop a signature technique that feels more like a collage of textures than traditional line work. The lines ar

tbh rn i'm wondering if following fashion trends is actually worth it or if having a solid personal style is more important imo trends come and go but

fr i’ve got a canon 90d and i wanna start portrait work but my lens is kinda… 18-55 feels weird think 50mm prime better idk budget 500 want decent bok