This is a very informative thread about photography!
For my photography, the camera I am using is a Canon PowerShot S5 IS, typical point and shoot, but it has settings in auto and some specific screen settings for fireworks, foliage, night scene, snow etc.
I would at times do first an auto shoot, then get another one in foliage setting. The quality of light also affects the intensity of colors, especially if it is being taken indoors. I like the foliage setting when indoors, it is more pronounced and catches other finer attributes of the subject, showing more texture:
Here is a sample:
In auto shoot mode:
This time in foliage setting:
Now if I have time, I would go into Picasa and do some tuning changes, adjusting the color temperature, shadow, fill light and highlights. Helps improve the shot a little more:
It is the simplest approach I can make, I do not have photoshop and just want to enjoy taking photos without being too bothered by intricate steps in adjusting the quality of the shot
