Another Newbie in search of help

[Sapient]

I've finally gotten up the nerve to use a camera on some setting other than "Auto". Please take a look at these few pictures and give any advice that springs to mind. Thanks much!

LARGE VERSIONS

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1621948&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1621946&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1621947&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

small versions of the same
pictures

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1621948&outx
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1621946&outx
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1621947&outx

[suzie]

These images are too big for me to load and view without waiting a very long time. Can you provide smaller pics??

Suzie.

[Warman]

Like the first one, nothing to say there, its realy nice.

Second although its nice, lacks a focus point. The snow is an interesting focus but doesnt quite cut it.
The focus serves to catch the eye making u look at the picture a little longer checking details. As it is your picture's lifetime is extremely short.

Third does nothing for me. Maybe if you had been able to do the picture shadowless...

[Sapient]

Suzie,

I added links to smaller versions of the same pictures. Sorry about that.
-------

Warman,

Thanks for the feedback. Do you think the second picture would work if it had a greater depth of field (I hope I am using the right term) so that both some falling snow and the farm house in the distace were in focus?

[Warman]

I cant explain it very well but here are some crops i took the liberty of doing to illustrate my point:

http://bragatel.pt/warman/sapient1.jpg

http://bragatel.pt/warman/sapient2.jpg

http://bragatel.pt/warman/sapient3.jpg

As you can see all of them provide you with a focus point.

Something that iluded me before is that the second picture has a lot of noise. What was your ISO setting?

[Sapient]

Thanks Warman. I do see what you mean. I think your second version demonstrates you point very well. THe ISO on that shot was 50. Could the noise actually be snow? Or could it be due to the fact that the picture I posted was really only about a third of the original shot?

Here are two more that are not anything to write home about, but I think might help me in my quest to understand what the heck I am doing. Any comments, even the harshest of criticism, is welcome.

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1627073


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1627072

[Anthony_S]

I think these sort of photos are most valuable to the shooter. Hopefully you took the same photo many times on many different settings and adjustments. Doing that sort of drill will really teach you about the camera and it's settings. Then when you are in the field and there is the perfect shot...NOW! you will be able to take full advantage of both the opportunity *and* your camera.

[Sapient]

Yeah, all of these are just exercises for me. I doubt I will bother to print any of them. These were the best versions of about 5 takes each (aside from the shot in the snow, were I was under-dressed and too darn cold). I am a bit embarrased to post them here next to the fantastic work others are showing, but what the heck. I gotta learn somehow.

[Anthony_S]

I'm new here too, and hoping to learn as much a spossible.

Keep 'em coming.

I did just notice that in the birdhouse shot, the branch entering the frame from the left has fooled the camera into focusing on the log, which puts most of what you first look at slightly out of focus.

[Warman]

The noise is surely derived from the fact that it is only a third of the original picture so dont worry about it, its normal.
Love the toy dozer pic, its realy imaginative. Might not work for everyone but sure does for me! :)
About the first one, i dont think the branch puts everything out of focus because it is the branch itself that is unfocused. But it is quite distracting.
All in all, doesnt quite catch my attention.