Thank you for the critique. I agree with what you're saying. I've een teaching myself now or over a year and I feel like I'm not improing.
Right now I only have my camera and lenses for equipment. And I got a second hand 5 in 1 reflector.
So whenever I take a photo I use random things to help me. Like with the second photo, for example, I tried to do something different with it putting a flashlight with a piece tissue paper over it to disguise it. I admit I was trying to create a 'mood' in the photo.
I'm going to invest in some lighting and other gear ut I would like to take a good photo on my own.
Did most of you more experienced photographers fail a lot in the start or did it sort of come naturally?