PIPDYOUNGER Loc: SUNDERLAND NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Hi everyone, i'm new to photography though iv'e been taking photo's for about a year now on and off with a minolta camera.
Decided to get a different camera and bought a fuji s9600 which I thought would be a good step before jumping into a DSLR. I thought I would post 3 pics taken with my old minolta as I have not had the chance to really get a grip of my fuji yet. Please feel free to analyze my pics and be gentle, im fragile. Ive been so impressed with the photographs sent in to UHH and most of the critics views, some are a bit harsh to some beginners, the ultimate word "beginners" will look forward to your comments. Pip :|

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

#1 lacks a point of interest unless it's the color in the boat.
#2 is very interesting although I would have liked the rule of thirds and had the main rain clouds to the left or right.
#3 is very good although I seem to feel it tilts to the right and all the water is going to run off.

I like them overall though.

Sarge69

Ive Fallen Loc: Chula, GA

tell the woman to GET OUT OF THE WAY!!! just kiddn' good start for a beginner.

Georgie Loc: England

Keep going, keep practising and above all enjoy what you are doing.

jthomas Loc: Lancaster, PA

All nice - you have a nice eye for composition - keep at it!

gdwsr Loc: Northern California

Welcome to UHH. Most folks here are very kind and helpful. If they seem curt at times is is usually just because they are looking at LOTS of posts and trying to comment on as many as possible.

There is so much to learn; so many principles involved in good photography that it will take time. I suggest you just try to learn one thing from each image you post. Sarge's comments are to the point.

On the first one, the idea is good (foreground subject (the lady) colorful sunset (probably). water, framing with the bush (sort of) but the fluorescent boat screams for all the attention and is at odds with the scene's mood. And it is way underexposed and unsaturated. With a little work that can all be fixed in post processing (what editing software do you use?

In the second one, I assume you were trying to capture the rays of sunlight coming through the clouds and the drama of the clouds. To pull that off you will have to enhance this shot with post-processing.

In the last one: one of the principles in photography is that horizons look "normal" when level. This is especially so with waterscapes. Also, the upper part of the photo is blank blue sky -- totally uninteresting. You can crop this out so the top of the image ends right at the top of the clouds. you have a nice foreground anchor with good focus sharpness.

A couple of suggestions: Before you shoot a scene think about what is compelling you to shoot it; light, colors, subject, etc. then compose and expose the shot to enhance that the most. Sometimes, you might be trying the much more difficult task of capturing the mood of the scene. Learn the principles for doing that.

When you post for suggestions, do it over on the Photo Analysis forum and tell us a little abut what you were trying to do, eg. I was trying to capture the mood of a dramatic sky and the rays of the sun through the clouds. Give your camera settings and check the "Download" box so we can view it full size.

good luck, there's lots to learn but it's fun.

PIPDYOUNGER Loc: SUNDERLAND NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Thanks for the positive reply, im trying to take in as much as I can. The issues you have pointed out are noted. The photo's used were taken with a Minolta Z1 last year which was given to me, and I believe I had the settings on auto for these pics. At the time of taking the photo's it was more about composition, trying to get a balanced picture, good subject matter.
I have just purchased a fuji s9600 which I think will spur me on, as there is more a manual camera feel about it. I didnt want to spend a lot of money at this moment in time as my knowledge is limited. I will send more photo's from my fuji when I have taken some photo's with it. Its great being able to ask other people's opinion on your own photo's, and look at others compositions, and there feedback. This makes a great photographic community.
Thanks again Pip

Beetlebug05 Loc: Scotland

I like your shots pip....I am a beginner too and have noted what Sarge69 and gdwsr have said, I have only been on this forum for about a week, I love seeing all the fabulous photos that are posted and the comments. I'm sure everyone here will keep us right, all we have to do is shout. Good Luck
Jeanette :thumbup:

gdwsr Loc: Northern California

I don't know how "proper" it is to notify people (like me) with PM that you have something posted that you want us to look at but, in my case feel free to do so. Otherwise I might never see it in this huge community.

gdwsr Loc: Northern California

The 9100 is a fine camera. It doesn't make sense to pay for more camera than you need (or will grow into in a reasonably long time).

Are you into post-processing your work yet? What software do you have and use?

PIPDYOUNGER Loc: SUNDERLAND NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Hi GDWSR, im not into post editing yet. My take on it is get it as near right in the camera first, then if it needs a tweek there wont be much to do in post editing. This is probably an old way of thinking considering the power of software nowerdays. I also think it will make me a better photographer in the long run. I haven't got any software at present though there are plenty on the market at reasonable cost, but I would prefer to spend the time outside taking photographs, though with the weather here at present, we're not getting out much.

PIPDYOUNGER Loc: SUNDERLAND NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Hi Jeanette, its a great place isn't it, and some of the photographs are just outstanding. It just goes to show what talented photographers there is out there. Hope we get to see some of your pictures too, and enjoy the ride on the way. Snap away!
Pip :D

Beetlebug05 Loc: Scotland

I have just posted some of the Falkirk Wheel taken in 2010 hope you enjoy.
Jeanette :thumbup:

PIPDYOUNGER Loc: SUNDERLAND NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Hi Jeanette, where have you posted photo's, they havn't appeared in the list,
Pip

Beetlebug05 Loc: Scotland

Hi pip... I posted them in the photo gallery...hope you enjoy them...they were taken 2010 with my old CanonG9
Jeanette