Amatuer here, Lake Michigan

[kidrn911]

I just started playing with photography. I have always liked it and what to begin a serious hobby in it.
This is taken from the digital I have now. What would you suggest in looking at a new camera?

Pic 1.

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7867/pict06497nw.th.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict06497nw.jpg)


Pic 2

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2135/pict06439xz.th.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict06439xz.jpg)


Pic 3
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8639/pict06445hj.th.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict06445hj.jpg)

[Robert_Lay]

First, if I have to critique a picture with only a large thumbnail, I can't do it justice. However, working with what we've got, the first picture has too much featureless dark foreground, so it needs improvement in that area.
Picture #2 has something almost visible in the foreground - so, will give you 75 points for effort on that one. The sky is nice and it's not bad for a low-key picture, but I can't get excited about it at that size.

Picture #3 is coming through with a nice tonal quality with a more complete range of tones and better placement of the values. I like the soft look - consistent with the mood of the picture. Pretty good composition but divided vertically a little too evenly. You would benefit from cropping away about half of the foreground, thereby giving you a better composition.

In regards to cameras to buy, there is no way to diagnose that problem without a complete curriculum vitae. I don't even know why I have the cameras that I have - Hi

[kidrn911]

Not sure if you realize this, but if you click on the thumbnail the picture enlarges. I believe using thumbnails such as I posted saves the forum on bandwidth.

Thank you for your comments

[sugarzebra]

If you are getting serious and intent to keep at it for the long haul, a DSLR is a must. The 20D is a great camera (and you will notice that its a very popular model on these forums). I'm finding out that choosing the proper lens' is probably more important than the camera body (and more costly as well).

[Robert_Lay]

It was suggested to me that I might have a Pop-Up Blocker in use that would prevent me from seeing the full size pictures. As it turns out, I do have a Pop-up Blocker, but that was not the problem. The problem was that I did not think to click on the pictures. They work fine. My mistake, and I apologize. For some reason that's the first time I've seen someone post them that way. You learn something new every day.

[Robert_Lay]

Revising my earlier comments, accordingly -
Picture #1 is better than I thought, but my comment still stands.

On Picture #2, it is much better at the larger size and I will give that one high marks also, now that I see it does have some interesting foreground. The only thing negative in this picture now that I can see it better is the man-made path light (?) - I guess that's what it is!

On picture #3, There is some problem with the horizon that I see now in the full size picture - it seems to tilt down to the left, and I still think it is not proportioned as well as it could be, vertically.

[mrclark321]

Welcome to the forum and keep them coming.
Great job!

Dan

[Overbeyond]

No 1; The view is obliterated by untidy growth. You need to move around to get the best shot of an obviously good scene.
No2; This is a lot better and the light on the sea as it hits the beach is lovely. Could have done without including that bollard thing.
No 3: A very nice scene but is appears unnaturally blue, plus the horizon is not level.
Overall I think thet are really good for a beginner.
By the way, you do not have to have a DSLR. They are not the be all and end all. Great quality photographs can be produced by some of the compacts as long as you get the donkey work fairly right.