Looking for some constructive crtisism

[Ashleigh80]

 

[arcooke]

Out of focus and underexposed.

 

[Ashleigh80]

[URL=http://img810.imageshack.us/i/34552464890780336514145.jpg/]

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[Ashleigh80]

Out of focus and underexposed.

How do you control the lighting on just a point and shoot camera, I only have either a flash on or flash off and if I was to put the flash on it would look way to over exposed.

 

[arcooke]

Well, you should have mentioned that you were only using a point and shoot to begin with. Depending on your camera, you are probably very limited in the control you have. BUT, you can always edit them after you shoot to get the colors nice and vibrant, sharpen up your images, etc.

One thing I noticed about all of your photos, you're looking down on them. That's generally a no-no and screams amateur (again, generally, not always). Kneel down and try to get your camera level with your subjects and see how they turn out. You seemed to do a little better with the orange one.. but I can still tell you're pointing down on it a bit.


Download Gimp (free photo/graphics editor) and read here about how to adjust your levels. This should help you improve the colors of your photos after you take them. Gimp can do a lot more too.. but takes some learning.

 

[Ashleigh80]

awesome , thanks for the advice.

 

[Ashleigh80]

 

[Ashleigh80]

Whats wrong with these...I tried these same 2 pics with a flash and it looked terrible, the colors were off, I know this looks better but still not great...is it just because I only have a point and shoot ?

 

[arcooke]

Whats wrong with these...I tried these same 2 pics with a flash and it looked terrible, the colors were off, I know this looks better but still not great...is it just because I only have a point and shoot ?

That's definitely a big reason for it. A DSLR has a much larger and higher quality image sensor than a consumer point and shoot.. plus you have control over all of your settings to ensure a proper exposure. A tripod would definitely help you get these in focus a little better, but that's not a cure-all. Your camera is meant to pull out of your pocket and take the everyday snapshot. If you're serious about getting into photography, I really recommend you buy an inexpensive DSLR. Any DSLR is going to give you better quality photos than a point and shoot.

Google "rule of thirds" as well, that might also help you out. You seem to be centering everything in your photos.


EDIT: I made a few minor adjustments to your orange flower (I like that one actually). I adjusted the levels and sharpened it a tad. You can see them side by side (yours is on the top). The colors pop a little more and your blacks are now richer.

 

[Ashleigh80]

Wow, that does make a difference. What program do you use for editing photos ?

 

[Ashleigh80]

would you be able to how me an example of the Google "rule of thirds" as well

 

[Edsport]

The dirt bottom right of the first photo does not help the photo...

 

[OrionsByte]

would you be able to how me an example of the Google "rule of thirds" as well

What he meant was, go to Google and do a search for "rule of thirds." Here's a link to the Wikipedia article with some good examples though:

Rule of thirds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[KenC]

http://img810.imageshack.us/i/34552464890780336514145.jpg/

Avoid taking pictures in mid-day direct sunlight like this if you possibly can. The colors will be less saturated than in less direct light, like on a cloudy day (look at the brighter areas on the flowers - they look almost white), and the shadows are very distracting. This is why many nature photographers go out very early in the morning before the sun gets high in the sky.