Some of my images.... C&C apprecated!

[Claudettebillie]

I got my Canon Rebel XS in November and that's where my photos start. I personally think they progressively get better and would appreciate more comments on the photos further down, as they are the most recent. I'll try and sort of narrate on the way down, too.

My cat is my favorite model. He doesn't rush me like people tend to ( I'm a bit slow right now ) and he's pretty easy on the eyes.

One of my first images, taken the night after I got my camera.

Ferret love. They're a blast to take images of but always want to smudge my glass, so I'm limited to using my kit lens with them.

My cat

This was taken with a textured glass and colored dye. It was edited quite a bit. I'm not one for heavily edited photos so I don't do much of this.

Finally someone told me that my backgrounds were cluttered and annoying, so I worked to clean it up and focus on what I wanted people to pay attention to

I plan to revisit this barn.... I missed so many key points with it. From what I remember the branch butting into the top would have been a good frame.

Then I worked with the rule of thirds. Most of the images I center now are deliberately centered. This image below was my first time with the complete manual setting.

My first night with my 50mm f/1.4 lens. Once again, so many missed opportunities. If I had my macro then.

I don't have much to say about this one other than I'm really irritated as to how the orange "step up" hearts look exactly the same.

This one took major photoshopping at the table "horizon"... it was completely crooked and extremely irritating. I think this type of image is really common and boring, but I used a cutting board to bounce my flash intentionally for the first time and was proud of myself.

My male model. He works for free, too.

I used a spray bottle to give the violets a dew look and I think they came out nice. I'm just posting links now, I think I put too many pictures.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5492827268_d16f1ea1be_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5131/5492234309_97a4f2b3de_b.jpg

You guys are probably sick of looking at my cat by now but one more. He's typically what I try new things on.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5505698549_3364800eff_b.jpg


Thanks for tolerating my photos! I don't want each one to be addressed, obviously, but some tips or what you really liked/really hated would be greatly appreciated!

 

[PASM]

Unless you are going for a close-up shot, try to include all of the object/animal/building you are photographing. Then look at the edges/corners of the frame and check if anything is in-shot that is distracting. Try to avoid half-in/half-out of shot. If it's attractive or meaningful in the context of the picture include it, otherwise exclude it completely. Shift position, get closer, further away whatever but get everything in-shot that needs to be and exclude anything else unless it adds to the composition.

 

[Claudettebillie]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll try and work on that. Normally he's sitting on something that would be distracting in the photo so I try and cut it out, but I guess I'll just start bugging him more and have him sit on something more attractive. Some I try to focus on his face but I agree that others would look better with the whole body.

 

[PASM]

If it's obviously a close-up which intentionally excludes things it gets accepted (most of the time ) But tails of cats, people's ankles and shoes etc - when there's plenty of empty space in the frame elsewhere, it can be done better. Sometimes a good shot isn't possible so you pass..or wait.

 

[Claudettebillie]

That makes sense! I honestly didn't even realize the cat tail on the yawning picture until you mentioned it! I'm definitely going to work on that!