How to improve photography skills?

Hi, I realize that I'm only 13, but the earlier the better I guess. So when I'm older, I'd like to be a photographer for national geographic or any other nature magazines. I've always had a big interest in the art of photography. I take lots of pictures and at the end I'll show you my best one so that you can tell me if it's good. Anyways, I'll be taking a digital class in high school and right now I'm in a yearbook class which partially teaches us about types of photos and quality of them. I do not have one of thos nice canon rebels yet, and I've begged my parents too much. My birthday is coming up, so we'll see. Not everyone can have the money, but here are some of my shots. If they are good, I hope no one will steal them so I put my name at the bottom. They were taken with just my iphone 4S so I know they aren't great, but thank you for taking your time to at least look at them. Oops now I realize you can only put 1 so then here is my best
How to improve photography skills - 1

Just like anything, the best way to get better is practice. Through practice, we can learn from our success and failures and thus improve what we do in the future. Also, we learn what our own styles and techniques are and can develop them further.

Sigh… This society today. I"m struggling to understand why a 13 year old, or anyone for that matter, needs an iPhone, but that is another matter…

You can get some EXCELLENT DSLR cameras on the used market for much less than new. You do not in any way need a NEW camera, especially in a learning stage. And sorry, but judging by that photo, you have a lot to learn.

Here are some used DSLR cameras at reasonable cost:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...l_xti.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...gital.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...a_k_a.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...s_slr.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...amera.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...amera.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._with.html

Once you have the camera, READ AND STUDY the owners manual, then I strongly suggest this book to get your skill level far beyond what it will be otherwise. Frankly, if you apply yourself with such a book as this, I honestly do not believe a course in high school would gain you much as concerns the TECHNICAL aspects. What the course is school would likely teach you would be to explore the creative aspect and force you to think beyond taking common, cliche snapshots.

The book:
http://www.amazon.com/...81740502X/