It might not seem much coming from me, but I am ex-journo who used to take a lot of publication pictures. So here goes...

Have a reasonable quality modern camera rather than a phone because the lens quality does make a difference, in my opinion. It doesn't have to be a full-size camera, either -- I have used small Canons and similar for years.

Keep an eye out for potential shots, and concentrate on a composition that is relatively simple, easy to focus on, and with consistently good lighting. Take three or four shots, particularly of people who may look away, or have blinked eyes, or are standing to hide a good part. You also can move a little in either direction to try to get slightly different, and occasionally better, content.

And practice does make perfect. The best pictures in this thread are by people I have a good clue about, including one I have personally met, and another two who are on my list to see when and Machka and I get back travelling again. They not only have great pix, but good ways to tell how they are acquired... and that still counts, these days, for a lot.