Use a polarizing filter when shooting outside in daylight. Your colors will pop and the filter will reduce or eliminate reflections on water allowing you to see into the water itself, adding depth and rich deep colors. The beautiful green water and dark blue sky with the bright contrasting white clouds are a result of using a polarizing filter in this shot. I have used a fast shutter speed (1/500th second) to freeze the birds in flight, making them sharp against the sky. The slower the shutter speed the more blur you would see. This often requires a little experimentation to find the right speed for the effect you want.