NEW TO PHOTOGRAPHY

[Designer]

Hi friends,my name is kiki,I'm new to photography,and still have lots to learn. I would love any opinions or critiques on my photography,that would help me improve. Thanks in advance..

Hi, kiki, and welcome!

I prefer only one photograph per thread unless it's some kind of direct comparison.

Yes, people ask for critique on their ENTIRE body of work sometimes, but honestly, I just can't. One photograph with your question is about right, IMO.

If you wish to provide a link to your gallery, you can add that to your footer and it will go in automatically with each post.

 

[kiki]

Kiki, I think your shots are quite good for someone who claims not to know much about photography. Your composition would indicate someone who thinks a bit before taking a shot.

First, are you the person shown with the camera in your gallery?

How long have you been working with your camera?

Who taught you how to use your camera? Are you taking any classes, on line or off?

Do you have a goal for your photography for, say, this year?

What would you say is your best quality when it comes to photography? What's your worst? Or, what do you need to work on the most?

Are you shooting with your camera set to fully automatic?


For now, my only comment would be, most telescopic lenses are not totally sharp at the extremes of either their wide angle or their telescopic range. There are probably some youtube reviews of your lens which will give you some insight into the best (sharpest image quality) range for this specific lens. If the lens suffers a bit at full zoom, you might want to back off a bit and make up the difference in post production. If it suffers at wide angle, if possible, move back a bit to get the shot you see in your head.

Otherwise, I'd say you've done well for a first entry to the forum.

@soufiej Thank you soo much for all of your input.. The girl in the photo holding the camera,is one of my daughters,she likes to take photos as well. I have been working with my camera,or doing photography as a hobby for about 2 yrs. I have taught myself everything,and have never taken any classes. I have however read a lot of tutorials,or watched some. I am not really sure what my best or worse quality would be,I would say that I am pretty good at composition,and I have an eye for what looks good. I definately need to learn more about aperture,ISO,and shutter speed,this is what I am working on now. Most times I am shooting with my camera on automatic,because of this. Though recently I have tested out using my camera in aperture mode. I agree with what you said about the telescopic range of the lense that I am using doesn't take as crisp a photo when used in its full zoom. Alot of the times when I am in full zoom,the pic does seem to be somewhat blurred,even sometimes ever so slightly,but its noticeable.

 

[kiki]

I really do like that shot of the horse -- it's got something extra for me. If there's time have a quick look all around the frame before pressing the button. In this case you probably would have noticed the horses ear just being chopped out of the frame. And a larger aperture in the lens might have thrown the second horse more out of focus, which would have helped too -- in my opinion.

There's quite a few things to think about, isn't there! But with good vision and lots of practice you'll boost your skills and confidence.

Thank you so much for your input,it is quite possible that i accidently cut the horses ear off during the editing process. As far as apertures go,this is what i am only starting to learn now. I need to learn how to use my camera on the manuel modes. I'm afraid I am having difficulties understanding it all. I did recently try my camera out in aperture mode,but still not fully understanding how it works. For instance,when I zoom in closer,do I have to change the aperture? These are the things I am working on.

 

[kiki]

Hi friends,my name is kiki,I'm new to photography,and still have lots to learn. I would love any opinions or critiques on my photography,that would help me improve. Thanks in advance..

Hi, kiki, and welcome!

I prefer only one photograph per thread unless it's some kind of direct comparison.

Yes, people ask for critique on their ENTIRE body of work sometimes, but honestly, I just can't. One photograph with your question is about right, IMO.

If you wish to provide a link to your gallery, you can add that to your footer and it will go in automatically with each post.

Thanks so much for the advice. I am still learning how to navigate this sight,and how to use everything. How would i add a link to my footer?

 

[kiki]

The original bird shot would look better as a full bird OR perhaps much closer with just the head and fish, like a portrait as said. It's nice and sharp and interesting in that the action with the fish is captured. Really like the water in the background!
The full length bird shots had some lighting issues, both good and problems as mentioned, and I'd guess they really aren't running up a steep hill????

 

[JacaRanda]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

 

[kiki]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I'm not sure where the place is that you mentioned above. I live in California (recently moved here from Montreal Quebec) The photos were taken at a place called Contra Loma Reginal Park in Antioch California.

 

[kiki]

The original bird shot would look better as a full bird OR perhaps much closer with just the head and fish, like a portrait as said. It's nice and sharp and interesting in that the action with the fish is captured. Really like the water in the background!
The full length bird shots had some lighting issues, both good and problems as mentioned, and I'd guess they really aren't running up a steep hill????

 

[kiki]

So does this close up of just the head look better then? And the bird was really walking up a steep hill. He was catching bugs.

 

[JacaRanda]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I'm not sure where the place is that you mentioned above. I live in California (recently moved here from Montreal Quebec) The photos were taken at a place called Contra Loma Reginal Park in Antioch California.

Oh cool. I was only about 400 miles off

 

[kiki]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I'm not sure where the place is that you mentioned above. I live in California (recently moved here from Montreal Quebec) The photos were taken at a place called Contra Loma Reginal Park in Antioch California.

Oh cool. I was only about 400 miles off

LOL!! I'm sorry if I am being a pain but can I ask a question? It is my first time using this site,this forum,I recieved a message that I recieved a trophy. What does that mean?

 

[dennybeall]

That's a nice head shot, clear and sharp. If you had that shot with the fish in the mouth it would be a bit more interesting to me. Personally I like to see the shot tell a story. Like this example- only the head but it's peaking out from a tree (telling a story - a very short story, but a story)

 

[kiki]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I meant to mention,that I looked through your link to your photography..Amazing photography. You are what I strive to be!! I LOVE all the photos of the birds,just amazing!

 

[kiki]

That's a nice head shot, clear and sharp. If you had that shot with the fish in the mouth it would be a bit more interesting to me. Personally I like to see the shot tell a story. Like this example- only the head but it's peaking out from a tree (telling a story - a very short story, but a story)
View attachment 94752

Ok, I get it,so my photos should tell more of a story..how about this shot?

 

[Designer]

How would i add a link to my footer?

At the upper right-hand corner is your username. Hover on it, and you will get a drop-down menu. Click on "signature".

Edit your signature with anything you wish to add there, such as your Facebook, website, witty slogan, whatever.

Be sure to "save changes".