Nettie49120 Loc: Michigan,USA

Hi Everyone, my name is Shawnette. My interest in photography started while working at an indoor studio about 12 years ago now. I enjoy being outdoors to being indoors making landscapes, sunrises, sunsets and clouds. Although my family and friends are great models when the mood strikes. I now use a Nikon COOLPIX L110 point and shoot, previously had a Sony CyberShot(now my son's). I am happiest when I am taking photographs and never leave home without my camera. I am told I have talent and should do something with it. I am seeking advice on my work and how to proceed.

Sunset taken with Sony CyberShot


Sunrise taken with Nikon COOLPIX L110


My niece taken with Nikon

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

You certainly have a way with your camera. Thanks for the shots.

Sarge69 :thumbup: :thumbup:

Nettie49120 Loc: Michigan,USA

Sorry lol. I meant to say:

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Welcome, looking forward to seeing more of your work.

cristinaberkley Loc: New York

Your niece looks like a mermaid. I love the halo around her head. Beautiful shot.

Normanc Loc: Manchester UK

Hi Shawnette,
Wellcome to UHH, You asked for advice, so, if I may suggest....
Phot 1. Sloping horizons always distract, a little more care when composing your image, OR a little sirupticious use of Photoshop would soon solve that. The image is a little flat and could use a little increase in contrast. Don't forget the 'rules of thirds'.
Phot 2 Nice photo, I suspect that this was hand held, never really a good idea in low light. This is an ideal photo to use a graduated filter. The sun has severely affected your cameras metering system., a graduated ND filter and the use of a tripod would have given a little more detail in the foreground and blended the overall image much better.
Phot 3, Your lovely niece, If you could have moved a little over to your right and taken a meter reading from her directly before composing your shot she would have been much brighter in the photo, you may also consider a little 'fill in flash', although this can overdo it and make it look unatural. If you moved her slightly over to the left ' again rule of thirds' and she would then be looking into the picture. Her face then would be side lit and would give good modelling and show her off much better.
These are good images and require only minimal adjustments to improve them dramatically. I think in addition that the grass in the foreground is a distraction and could be removed.
I hope that I don't sound too critical and that my comments do help a little. It's a good idea when you publish your photos on here to tick the download box, that way your images will be downloaded in full and many of the folks on here will help you by showing what you can achieve. Best Wishes. Norman

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

Hello Nettie. welcome to the hog. Whoever told you that you have talent, was right!! You do. I guess Normanc has summed it up for you. A little much for me though. i like what you have shot. and yes a little "tweaking" would make your shots better. but in any event very well done.

Chinaman Loc: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Welcome Shawnette. What is it that you want to do/be? Norman has given a good critique of your images and I concur.

pjreed Loc: Tonopah, Arizona

Welcome to the UHH :thumbup:

Nettie49120 Loc: Michigan,USA

Thank you for your advice Norman. I do find your advice helpful. I worked on my sunset a little, hows it look? I am adding the originals of the sunrise with the duck and of my niece as the first ones I posted had some editing(which I am not comfortable doing and I would rather get them right while shooting them). A tripod is something I have been looking into, the filter I will start checking into. The photo of my niece was a sneak job she had no idea. I was several feet away and had to zoom in. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by or how to take a meter reading.

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Nettie49120 Loc: Michigan,USA

Thank you and to be honest I'm not sure yet. I want to sharpen the skills I already have before making that decision. However I have often thought about travel photography now that my kids are older.

Nettie49120 Loc: Michigan,USA

Thanks, I hadn't thought about that. I just saw the sun reflecting behind her and thought it would be a great shot.

Nettie49120 Loc: Michigan,USA

Thank you. Mostly my family(but they are partial lol) and the majority of my co-workers at my last job(WalMart). I was at the photo machine looking at some photos I did for some friends of mine when my manager walked by and asked if I had taken the shots, I told her yea. Her next statement was: With photos like that why are you working here?

Nettie49120 Loc: Michigan,USA

Thank you.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Welcome aboard Shawnette.