tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I live in Overland Park Kansas which is a suburb of Kansas City. I have been reading the forums here, in Ugly Hedgehog for a little over a week now. I consider myself an educated (oh.oh) amateur photographer. By educated, I mean that I have taken classes in digital photography to help me along. In this short period of time I have already found many useful tips and critiques.

Here is the part I don't get. I have been posting pictures on flickr for about a year now and I have only received about 5 comments from other people. There are other people on flickr that every time, when they post a picture, they may get hundreds of comments and some awards. I don't understand this. How am I supposed to know if I am doing good or not?

What I like about the Ugly Hedgehog is that everyone seems to have something to say about some one else's photos. No one is snotty about it either. People are trying to help other people here. I could sure use the help.

Anyway, I use a Sony Alpha 500. Yesterday I just ordered from Sony, the new Alpha 580. It has some updated features that I like and that I don't have on the a500. I could care less about movie making capabilities, but the a580 has this also. I think that the a500 takes great pictures. Please tell me what you think.

A huge Hybiscus f5.6, 1600/sec, ISO 200


Got to submit that Butterfly photo.


It's pouring rain out and the poor guy has to eat. Shot through a window.

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

I have to say I'm a bit jealous on #3. I was able to capture a moth that at the time I thought was hummingbird. Turns out it was a white lined sphinx (type of moth that looks and acts like a hummingbird.) Funny right!? I want to say I like all of your photographs The butterfly is almost perfect, I really like the background colors as it adds to the photograph. The flower is pushing a ton of green in the background. I think if you was to crop in closer to the flower it's self it would help it a lot. All around your shots are crisp and clear. Background is out of focus as it should be, you should use the rule of 3rd's on your photographs though. Happy shooting and keep them coming! Thank you for sharing!

The moth that looks like a Hummingbird!!! Had to share this with you.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I had to laugh about your scenario with the point and shoot. I had the same thing happen to me. My Sony was in the shop for a re-calibration when I saw this crazy acting bumble bee. I grabbed my wife's Fuji S4000 and started shooting away.

I looked it up on the internet and found out that it was a Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth. What a mouthful!

Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

Ah, see we are on the same page... a great laugh! Thanks for sharing and awesome shot!

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Thank you.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I have only been on here for a short time myself, and I am loving it. Everyone is so helpful and friendly. I have learned so much in the last couple of weeks.

Rich Loc: Titusville, Fl

Tankkc, the top photo would benefit from a more shallow depth of field. The photo of the butterfly is very good. The shallow depth of field helps this photo out. The photo of the hummingbird is very good and again the shallow depth of field.

Strubbles

I will be blunt here. #s 2 & 3 are magnificent shots. #1 does not belong with them.

I sharpened 2 & 3 a bit, cut off extraneous empty space and put a thing stroke around them.

mortonfarm Loc: Texas

@ Strubbles...what do you mean by thin stroke...can you explain? Eager to learn all I can...have not uploaded any pics yet..need to find the time...Thanks...
@ I Don't get It...I think the butterfly and the hummingbird moth are great pics...I love the hummer...I have gotten 2-3 shots of resting hummers in the rain..I don't think one's pics have to be perfect...so long as it pleases you and meets your expectations..Oh and I am not a very technically minded person...lol

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

I don't like the ones Strubbles redone... Sorry

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I believe the thin stroke is the thin black line she framed the picture with.

Robert Loc: Round Rock, TX

Great shots, tainkc. Very crisp and colorful.

Strubbles

In cs5 and I assume in other photo shops, you select all which sets the ants marching around the outside of your image. Go to Edit/Stroke and choose the color and size of the stroke you wish to make. If I do not use black or white, I use the eyedropper to select a color from within the image itself. I hope this helps.

Melissa Loc: Oklahoma

Your humming bird moth is great. Even though your #1 competes with the greenery a bit. I really like it. Thanks so much for sharing your great shots. Just seeing others work has increased my knowledge. I'm an amature of amatures. Just like to take photos.

Becket , MA coolpix L20

mortonfarm Loc: Texas

That does help....Thanks Strubbles...