Get a camera. I suggest a lower-model DSLR, like a Nikon D3xxx of D5xxx series. Don't be afraid of buying used from places like KEH, Adorama, or B&H, you can save hundreds of dollars. get a few basic lenses; you can easily start out with a kit 18-55.
Get
this book, Understanding Exposure.
Learn how shutter speed, aperture, focal length, and ISO affect the pictures you take.
Then take that camera everywhere you possibly can. Work, play, Wal Mart, any and everywhere. Even if it's juts a P&S, take it everywhere.
Take lots of pictures. Examine the EXIF data and see the effects of your focal length, shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. You'll begin to notice patterns, and then you can decide what your style is. And what subjects you like to shoot. And then you can start to take the pictures with the effect YOU like.
The learning curve can be long and steep, or short and sweet. But you HAVE to understand the fundamentals of shutter, aperture, ISO and focal length.
I've been taking pictures ever since I was 7 or 8 with the film Minolta Hi-Matic G my Dad got me for my birthday. I got my first film SLR in 1993 and got my first digicam in 2002. Then I got my first DSLR (Nikon D50) in 2006. Then I got a D200 in 2013, a D7100 in 2015 and a D500 11 days ago.
Back in 2008 I decided I wanted to take a picture of the moon. This was my very first attempt. Pretty bad, but I got the bug.
DSC_1370 by
FredMan, on Flickr
Years go by, I get better gear (body and lenses, PARTICULARLY the lenses), and I learn how to use it. Now Moon shots are almost passe; sort of like tying my shoes. Still fun, though, and here's what I get:
Moon 20170104 by
FredMan, on Flickr
All it takes is some moderately good gear and PRACTICE. And I'm an amateur; maybe an educated amateur, but there's guys out there (and here on ARF) that blow my work away.