Late Bloomer Loc: Aquilla, Texas

Photo taken with a P/S camera in auto mode. I have just purchased a Nikon D5100, some difference. I will need all the help I can get.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

Here's a good rule of thumb when composing your shot, pick your main subject, ie. the rose. Divide your frame into thirds and position the rose on one of the intersections that are on the third lines. Then look to see if anything else is the photo is distracting you from that main rose. Such things as strong vertical or horizontal lines, strong attention grabbing contrasting colors or just things that don't belong. You might have to move so that your background is free of this type of clutter. "Eliminate the bad in the frame and what's left is good". Take the shot.

You've got a white post cutting your poor rose to pieces. Next time move to your right to get rid of that contrasting white vertical distraction. Better that you have a blurred dark background that bright white. I hope this helps. I've included a link on the rule of thirds for you to read. Thanks for posting & keep shooting & posting.

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds

FuzMuz Loc: Southern Utah

Check out http://bythom.com/nikond5100guide.htm
Thom's books are better than the guide that comes with the camera. I purchased his books/CD for my D5000