Sherrie,

What camera are you using? Also how is your focusing set up on the camera itself? Did you shoot this with the AF or manual focus?

I have the same lens and shoot with a Canon 60D the only thing I don't like about the lens is it's slow to focus due to it being a micro motor driven auto-focus (also why it's so loud) as opposed to the USM (ultra sonic motor) which are quieter and MUCH faster.

It's an inexpensive lens but apart from all the trash talk about it the only bad thing I've found about it is again, it's slow auto-focus.

It's a fantastic lens for low light and I will say I have encountered similar issues with the lens which I blame on the auto-focus.

Once you get used to the quirkiness of the lens I think you'll find it a welcome addition to your kit. For $100 you can't go wrong.

I shoot mostly nature or low light with this lens and 90% of the time I use manual focus and come up with some pretty good results. Keep in mind with the wide aperture on this lens your dof will be limited and this may be contributing to your "out of focus" problem.

Another thought is that if you are using manual focus your diopter may not be set properly. It's the little +,- wheel next to the viewfinder. Many people think you only need to adjust this if you wear glasses but I don't find this to be true I have 20/20 vision and have mine adjusted simply because the way I view thru the lens I guess..

This causes you to see the image in focus thru the lens but the actual photo to be not quite in focus. You can adjust this easily and photos will come out nice and crisp.

If you need help adjusting this there's usually some tutorials online or you can message me and I'll be glad to help.

Best of luck!

Anyone ever compare the 7D to the 60D?

Food for thought... I purchased the 60D over the 7D and if I had the funds at the time I would have bought the 5DMkII.

Absolutely stunning models and stunning photography!

mental what? breakdown lol

Yes, true art happens on it's own when you have attained a level of skill and knowledge to know when to let things happen on their own. I don't consider myself an artist although I wish I could be. I don't consider my landscapes, plant matter or such to be art.

Just like art itself, the word art is very subjective.

I do have a grouping of my own photography I do consider art but rarely if ever do I show it.

And I agree with that also. It's all about being sure you have permission and knowing the letter of the law... It ain't all just taking photos in this day and age.

Great work! Love to see more and pick your brain as you give some fantastic lighting set up descriptions.

Bravo!

-Bryan-

You can run into the situation where you will need consent or release for just about any photo taken. It's always good to know the legal side of photography and while you may take a photo and the rights of the photos are legally yours depending on the subject matter you may not legally be able to sell those photos. Take the Eiffel Tower at night for example. Technically, you can't even publish night photos of the tower without permission...

In my opinion you have the permission of the new owner of the rights to the photographs (his wife) unless he has established these rights as belonging to someone else.

You have permission, you can publish.

-Bryan-

My humble suggestions.

First things first. Get the date stamp off the photos it's the sign of a point and shoot camera. You can take great photos with a point and shoot but, you're not likely to get anything on the walls of anywhere but your own home with a date stamp. Only show your best work, not what you missed.

You just need time and practice, practice, practice.

The intent is there but the composition and execution isn't.

Get out of your comfort zone, get out of the backyard, wake up early set up your shots, find a spot a few days prior and plan it out for spectacular sunrise/sunset shots. Get close and back up, move around your subject be it leaves or a person. Look behind you, you may be missing something.

Use depth of field (may be difficult on a point and shoot) it creates drama, use leading lines, angles and color. All these aspects of a photo help bring it together.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I'll be happy to help out as much as I can.

-Bryan-

Love all the comments and appreciate all the advice.

As far as the rule of thirds, if you are to take these photos all but two of them follow the "general suggestion" that the rule of thirds is (in my opinion) the two that don't very purposely do not. They don't either due to leading lines or subject matter.

I have many photos that break rules but by choice, so work for people some don't. Some work for me at the time and then six months a year later lose everything they had for me.

The object with photography as with any art form (I don't believe in the photography vs. art simply because photography is art although just because someone has a paint brush it doesn't make them an artist) Art is about intent, things are done with purpose. Controlled and manipulated by the artist whether a camera or a brush.

Keep in mind you can use a "thrown off" balance to create a bit of discomfort in a photo. Why? Well, look at the subject matter, take the first photo of my first group for example. It's a strange alien looking thing. Yes, it's new Spring growth and beautiful but when perceived in a specific way can be foreign, alien and weird. When this weirdness is drawn out with an uncomfortable balance (or lack of balance) it furthers the whole concept. This one in particular may be a miss for a number of reasons which I could pontificate on for hours. So I'll close for now try and get some of the originals I promised up for viewing and see what I can pull out of my magic box for more discussion.

Again, thank you all for the comments. Having a great time here and looking for more feedback!

Bryan

Thanks so much for the comments. That photo I took back in Feb. or March of this year. It was a dead flower with very interesting light and reflections off of a lake in the background.

I'm seeing the pixelation in the second group of images on the b&w shots around the edges of the flowers. Seems like over sharpening maybe?? I don't know if there is additional sharpening added when you upload an image but that's what it appears like to me.

Thanks again everyone for all the great feedback.

I hope you don't take this as me being mean. Re-reading this I sound really harsh. I'm sorry if I came off like a jerk. I look at photos and think what would I want someone to tell me if I took it. So I do sincerely apologize if I came off too harsh.

lol, makes sense to me. The only editing done on these images is a slight (very slight) bump in contrast with curves in PS. I can post originals if you'd like to compare the two?

I like your vision and enthusiasm. Some thoughts, and that's all they are is thoughts.

1- Tripod, more than 50% of the time a shot can be ruined without the use of this simple tool. First shot is slightly blurred by what looks to be movement.

2- If you have a zoom or longer focal length lens, use it. Step back and zoom in. Depth of field in flower shots can create a more dramatic image.

3- Step back, look at your subject in this case the dead flowers. What catches your eye about it? What perspective stops you? Where is the light? All of these things need to come together and sometimes that means coming back the next day because you missed the light or moving something around. Walk around your subject if you can. Study it.

4- Watch your background. Everything in a photo needs a place and a purpose.

Now none of what I said here is steadfast "rules" all the so called "rules" of photography can, and sometimes should, be broken. These are simply just my thoughts.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of your photos! Keep it up you've got a desire to find something in your photos keep chasing it.