novice looking for brutal critiquing

[Keta]

A while ago I asked for advice on framing / composition; I hope I have learned a thing or two from the responses!
This is an extension of the same question . . . I'm basically looking for all and any kind of critique / advice / suggestions. This is a pic of my town on a semi-cloudy afternoon; I was going for a certain effect of depth / space + keeping the stronger foreground of the soccer players.

But I really don't know what the hell I am doing! Minor tinkering in PhotoShop re: light-contrast values and colour saturation.

(if you think this sucks really bad, please forgive me. Generally I take pics of eagles flying by so I'm not used to actually being able to compose a shot!)

 

[Iron Flatline]

Put them in the Photo Critique section, you'll get the appropriate attention there.

 

[Keta]

oh whups! sorry. I always do that!

 

[spike5003]

The first photo desperately needs a polarizer, that will cut down the overblown sky. You could use a wider aperature (lower f stop) to blur the background slightly to put the focus more on the soccer players.

Good luck and look forward to the results.

 

[Keta]

Hmm, searched 'polarizer' in this forum, which didn't really explain to me what it is (although I picked up some good info on other stuff!). Found this link in google . . .
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/do-you-really-need-circular-polarizer.html


Interesting. Fascinating, actually. I'm going to read up more on general photography (and equipment) for now rather than pushing myself to learn through trial & error as much as I can.
That way I won't get discouraged / frustrated.

Thanks!

 

[JJP]

I like the concept for the shots
But I have to agree about the polarizer, also I agree about tinkering with the aperature, sometimes it can work wonders!

 

[Keta]

OK! I'll be getting the polarizer / filter thing, then go down to the beach this weekend to try different aperature settings.

I will be subjecting you to the results, so be prepared!

thanks for all the tips so far.

-Keta