In most instances to take professional quality pictures you need an expensive DSLR camera and photography equipment.
That though doesn't mean you cannot take excellent pictures using a point and click digital camera.
It is having the knowledge that is the key to taking good pictures for example if you give Tiger Woods a set of worn out clubs he would probably still be able to out drive most people.
It is his skill and the practice that he has put in that makes him so good.
It is the same with photography.
A good place to start it perspective and composition.
The best composed pictures if you study them do not have the subject placed dead centre in the frame which is what most people naturally do.
It is all to do about the "rule of thirds".
The best way to describe this is to imagine dividing the frame horizontally and vertically into thirds.
To add emphasis to the subject matter of your picture you should place your subject on these lines and intersections.
It will make you shot more interesting as will perspective.
Most people take the same kind of picture they are the ones like "ooh that is nice I will take a picture" then you move on.
You need to think about the shot and framing.
Try and be creative and think how the picture could be more interesting and what is the best angle.
I would recommend getting up close and personnel with your subject matter and fill the frame.
For example if you are taking a portrait picture you don't always have to take a full body shot.
If you still want some of the background move the person closer to you but take the picture form a higher angle.