My second week, CC please!

[reissigree]

Been a few weeks since I started. Let me know how I'm coming along! CC please!
1.

DSC_0090 by reissigree, on Flickr
2.

DSC_0016 by reissigree, on Flickr

 

[MTVision]

The first one - the boat looks completely centered - maybe you could try a ROT crop. Also, this too has a messy background. The exposure looks good to me (on my phone).

The 2nd one is a snapshot IMO. The background isn't pleasing and neither is the lighting on the face. Looks like he is squinting from the sunlight. The eyes are the most important feature in a portrait and his eyes aren't very noticeable plus I don't like that you chopped the top of his head.

Keep practicing and reading up on photography. Read up on some compositional strategies.

 

[SharedMemories]

I agree the 2nd one is a little too close for my liking... I am not sure why but the 1st one just seems to busy for me.. I am not sure what seems off in it to me but there is something... Great job though

 

[HomelessBoy]

I like the reflections in #1 but like MTVision said, composition is key.

Try avoid shooting when the sun is directly hitting at you. The shadows on his face in #2 makes the photo looks less dramatic.
You should've either used a fill-flash or reflector to to get an average amount of light spread across his face.