Testing out my Canon 550D

[Eirik]

I was out photographing with my brother and brother-in-law. I started taking some pictures of the river, but then I potted a yellow flower, perfectly placed. I went down on my stomach and put it on live view and focused on the flower. Personally I like this picture. I think I got the flower in perfect focus, and even though the background is not in focus, we can still see what's there. But I find that black spot next to the river very distracting. Don't think it fits in with the picture. But that's my opinion. Feel free to comment. And don't be afraid to criticize. I'm always looking for improvements

The incredibly beautiful flower I spotted near the river. Photo was taken at:
f/8.0
ISO 1600
1/15th
No flash used


IMG_0304 by EirikBrak, on Flickr

 

[Robin Usagani]

Your shutter speed is too slow and you can easily have motion blur from your hand. You can open up your aperture more. Was it dark?

 

[RichardsTPF]

Question.
Eirik used large iso1600, and f/8 at slow shutter speed. Like Schwettylens said, is it really dark? If so, why not open the flash?
With enough light from flash, small iso and wider aperture could be used.

 

[Eirik]

I can agree that the shutter speed was too slow. I haven't really got the hang of it yet. But I'm still learning.