Struggling Creatively--I need Critique and I want to Push Myself

[vintagesnaps]

Seems like you may not yet have developed a good enough understanding of all the basics and would benefit from continuing to learn and develop skills. (For example when you say high or low related to aperture that to me isn't clear what you mean - aperture is smaller or larger.) Getting away from always using the same mode and shooting manually as you're doing might be a good way to understand better how to use your camera in various situations.

I'd suggest spending time out with your camera looking at what you see in your viewfinder and not necessarily always taking the shot, do some observing and thinking about what you want in your picture. Try changing your vantage point, notice how it can change what you have in the frame.

Looking at some of the lifestyle photos, for example I think 'Food' is interesting, but I think there are distractions on either side of the building - if something doesn't add to the picture think about if it should be in the frame. By changing the vantage point you could have 'moved' the fence posts so they weren't cutting thru the red bench and the chairs. The one street scene is about timing, maybe wait for the cars to move out of the scene or to where you want them to be in your composition, watch for catching the edge of an object like the red sign overhead.

You seem to be seeing interesting things to photograph, it all takes a lot of practice.

 

[FITBMX]

Two great replys!!!