Newbie needs some C&C

[TayzerStrike]

So I took these photos a while back, but am now barely getting into photography. I took these with a Nikon Coolpix L20( I know lol) but am getting a Nikon d3000 for Christmas. I have no real editing software and no money... (I am only fifteen). Does any body know of decent Photo software for a PC that's free? Anyway, my family says there good... but there supposed too. So can you guys give me some constructive criticism and advice?

(Pics are in third post.)

 

[MTVision]

GIMP is free and from what I've heard it's pretty powerful - close to photoshop.

You need to post pictures here. Most won't click on links. Pick a pictures you want to post from flickr. Go to the share button above the image choose grab the HTML/bbcode. Make sure check off that you want the bbcode. Then copy the code and paste it right here.

 

[TayzerStrike]

Ok thanks!



Mushroom by tdreedy.2010, on Flickr



Raindrop Leaf by tdreedy.2010, on Flickr



Clover Droplets by tdreedy.2010, on Flickr


The above is my one is my personal favorite. ^^

 

[WesternGuy]

Welcome to the forum. One thing, when you post images here, please number them as it makes it a lot easier for a reviewer to refer to them. Thanks.

My first impressions, FWIW...

#1. The grass in the scene covers up the mushroom and thus makes it cluttered. If it were me, I would have pulled the grass out - no its not cheating - so that people would get a good view of the mushroom.

#2. Not bad if this is a first try. The crop is a little tight. I would have liked to see the entire leaf that is cropped off in the bottom of the image. The background is a little distracting. You can fix this to some extent by using a larger aperture. Nice effect with the water drops though.

##. Again, nice image with the water drops. I would be better if all three of the clover leaves were in focus. Even better, if the one didn't have a big "bite" out of it.

You will probably want to read up on composition. If you Google "photography composition" you will get more hits than you can read in a month. As well, Bryan Peterson has published two books you might want to look at: Learning to See Creatively and Understandig Exposure. Make sure you get the most recent editions of both books - you local bookstore should be able to help you with this.

As far as web stuff goes, have a look here: Photography Composition Articles Library . As well, there are a series of web articles on composition that start here: Advanced Composition -- Part I. You will find a link to following articles at the end of the web site. There are, of course, thousands of web sites on photographic composition.

As far as editing and editors go, there are lots of them available for free - Best Free Digital Image Editor and if you are going to buy an editor, then check on applications like Photoshop Elements and Lightroom.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

 

[indiabravo]

Hi, this is a very nice set of shots. You obviously have a good eye for composition. Only thing I would say is that the top of the mushroom in shot 1 is blown out and shot 3 is slightly underexposed. You should be able to adjust these type of things with your DSLR or manual settings if your P&S has them. Good luck for the future.

Iain

 

[spacefuzz]

Your on the right track, read up on composition and play with something like GIMP and you should be off and running.

 

[TayzerStrike]

Ya, I can't really do that stuff lol it was shot with a Nikon Coolpix L20, but once I get my DSLR (Christmas!) I will definitely keep this in mind when I do. Thanks!