my guess is that you are getting beaten up for photo quality. just don't take it personally. you CAN improve if you want to, but you won't if you quit. it takes practice and commitment, but you can do it. these challenges can be somewhat brutal, but if you stick with it, you can get where you want to be.
the most important thing is to take advantage of your digital camera. take as many pictures as you can--it doesn't cost anything. keep practicing, and you'll learn how to capture what you see. once you learn to control your camera, you can start working on the creative side. good luck!