The photos you admire are using good photographic techniques and for every picture in the gallery there we probably quite a few which did not make it into the gallery. Be selective ,take the same picture many different ways so that you can learn what works for you. Look for special lighting often at the start and end of the day and remeber that a good photographer can take interesting photos with any camera.
Here are a few tips , but remember rules are always made to be broken.
Technical Tips
1) Move closer and fill your shot.
2) Prepare by spending time thinking about depth of field, exposure compensation and composition before shooting.
3) Compose your shot with care placing and sizing things within your shot to emphasize.
4) Select your focus point carefully.
5) Choose your lighting or time of day carefully.
6) Err on the side of under exposure especially with shots with a lot of light colours (white).
7) Choose your depth of field/Aperture so that where you want the viewer to look is wholly in focus.
Don't be afraid to use a flash.
9) keep your shutter speed high to allow for movement.
10) Once you understand why certain techniques work then you ready to explore techniques that should not.
Artistic Tips
1) Be quick if you want to catch that instant.
2) Be selective ,showing only that which enhances the shot.
3) Keep it simple where detail is not integral to the shot.
4) Be bold and look for striking contrasts, textures, shapes and colours.
5) Choose your angle of view to make the shot more striking.
6) Choose your shot so that a background is plain and does not draw your attention.
7) Choose lines ,curves and light to draw the viewer into the picture.
Look for colours which compliment each other.
9) Don't be afraid to shoot part of the whole if it is only that part which draws your attention.
10) Pay close attention to what attracted you to take the shot and choose your shot to emphasize that aspect.