what did I do wrong: I went to my local zoo trying to sharpin my shutter skills which are very limited. I am using a D3100 with a 70-200mm lense. These are hand held shots. Any...

JMorris271 Loc: Columbia,SC

I went to my local zoo trying to sharpin my shutter skills which are very limited. I am using a D3100 with a 70-200mm lense. These are hand held shots.
Any suggestions besides put away the camera?
Very new here and I know I have a very poor eye for shots.
Be gentle please.

Thanks so much for suggestions

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

JMorris271 wrote:

I went to my local zoo trying to sharpin my shutter skills which are very limited. I am using a D3100 with a 70-200mm lense. These are hand held shots.
Any suggestions besides put away the camera?
Very new here and I know I have a very poor eye for shots.
Be gentle please.

Thanks so much for suggestions

what were settings

snowbear

Actually, I don't see any real problems. All three are in focus, well composed and have obvious subjects. Overall, I'd say it was a good job.

Is that duct tape on the tortoise? Was it broken?

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I think they look pretty good too. You might want to try turning the camera and do some portraiture Shots.
Erv

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

I think you are being too hard on yourself JM. Photo one is sharp, and the lines of the branches bring the eye right to the obvious subject, so good composition. The exposure looks fine and the subject has interest.

The second photo is sharp, subject is interesting and it's exposed well. I would like to see a more interesting composition, perhaps a tight crop or moving the subject away from the center to the left.

Number three would be more interesting with a different composition and the ability to see the turtles face better.

If you post your stats on the shots, shutter speed, f/stop, ISO, focal length, folks can give you more detailed help although I don't see a problem with focus issues. 8-)

Willy Loc: Alaska

JMorris271 wrote:

I went to my local zoo trying to sharpin my shutter skills which are very limited. I am using a D3100 with a 70-200mm lense. These are hand held shots.
Any suggestions besides put away the camera?
Very new here and I know I have a very poor eye for shots.
Be gentle please.

Thanks so much for suggestions

Your shots look good. My suggestions would be to keep in mind the rule of thirds. I think its human nature to tend to center the subjects. ( I do it all the time.)
For the tortoise shot I think Lying on the ground so that your at its level would help.

I recently learned a new trick that helps my photos a lot. Get high or get low. The standing shot from eye level is very common and its what we are all accustomed to seeing. Give your shot an uncommon perspective by using uncommon angles. (high/low)
Lie down or climb a ladder.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I'd try lying down, but I would have to have someone along to pick me up. ;)
Erv

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

JMorris271 wrote:

I went to my local zoo trying to sharpin my shutter skills which are very limited. I am using a D3100 with a 70-200mm lense. These are hand held shots.
Any suggestions besides put away the camera?
Very new here and I know I have a very poor eye for shots.
Be gentle please.

Thanks so much for suggestions

I think you did very good

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Good Job.

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

They look good to me.....especially number two

PES Loc: Georgia

why do you think they are not very good?

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Looks good to me!!!
In image #1. Next time tell that guy to smile.....
Looking forward to seeing more!!!
Pat

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

You did a fine job with these shots. #1 might have shown more eyes with a fill-flash. and try cropping all the extra background. #2 is a great shot......again, might crop and place the subject not in center.....wonderful exposure on this little guy. Bet that shot was taken in the shade. Digital cameras love shade! Shot #3, as someone else said, need to be on eye level when possible. Also what might have helped would be to have spot focused and spot metered on the eye or head of the turtle, or used a fill-flash (ttl). You might try in processing, to lighten just the head of this turtle. Nothing shabby about these images........you could do some post-processing with cropping to improve them.

Wickspics Loc: Detroits Northwest Side. Cody High School.

Yep, I like them too !

forbescat

Actually I think you should congratulate yourself. Zoo pictures are difficult because you don't have a lot of choice as to where to stand and can only deal with what is offered up. What I like about your second shot is that the eyes are sharply focused and have that necessary "life light".