Know your equipment and its attachments. Become expert at using camera controls, lenses, filters, mounts, tripods, trucks and dollies.
Learn the principles of good composition. Give subjects speaking space, lead the action and know how to frame a shot.
Understand and follow direction. Know the various shots and types of camera movements. Respond on cue.
Stay in focus. Unless racking focus from one subject to another or going for an effect, shots should never be blurry.
Keep a clean lens and film gate. No one wants to look at dailies or raw footage and see dust, lint and stuck hairs.
Tone and strengthen your body. Develop the fitness and endurance to handle and carry heavy equipment for long hours.
Be versatile. Learn to shoot from various angles under different lighting and conditions.
Get the shot. Be prepared and give the director what he wants.
Maintain a courteous and cooperative attitude. Be professional and reliable. Don't keep cast and other crew waiting.