First shots using Christmas gift

[no_doubt]

Hi all, You've got a great forum community here, very helpful and knowlegeable people. I joined back in December in anticipation of receiving an S2 IS for Christmas. I haven't had much time to really work with it and learn a lot about it. Learning new technology at my age doesn't come real easy, but I decided, what the heck, get my feet wet and post a couple and learn from constructive criticism. So, here are my first posts of two of my pets (I'm disabled/retired and reptiles are my hobby helping to keep me active).
The Boa, "Si," was taken through his plexiglas cage door while "Hannibal," the Bearded Dragon was shot with his door open. Both were shot on full auto, zoomed from about 6' away which surprised me with what I think was a nice blurred background. Si is 8 feet, 8 inches long and the pattern of his body coils are what can be seen as the blurred background. I had a uv lens protector filter on a 58mm adaptor tube using bounce flash with the pop-up to even up the room lighting from the glaring ceiling fixture.
Please feel free to let me know what you think. I need the criticism, I've got a lot of learning to do.
Thank you all for sharing your knowlege and expertise. I have never seen so many great photos in one place!

Best Wishes,
Jerry

[inthedeck]

Very nice, I like them both. The detail on the dragon are awesome, and the DOF there is nice as well...separates his face, from the rest of the image.

The boa's head...same thing. Separated from the background. Though, I think this one could be brightened up just a little (though, not sure if this will blow out the whites on his throat area). You could also use a slightly less shallow DOF here, as the nose is a little OOF (out of focus) to me, at least.

Other than that, I will say they are a very good start. And your subjects are very interesting, in their own ways.

[no_doubt]

inthethedeck, Thank you for your input, much appreciated! Yea, the first thing I noticed was the OOF at the nose area. I really put the S2's image stabilization to the test as my hands are quite shakey when forcibly attempting to steady them. If I had been on the tripod for those shots I think I could have made a marked improvement. And the DOF thing, I'm used to an old Olympus Camedia point and shoot D-360L 1.3Mp, the one I shot my avitar with, I need a lot more study and practice on that subject. I'll work on it!

Thanks again,
Jerry

[inthedeck]

At least you have a good attitude about it. Getting used to new gear always takes some time. I can attest to shaky hands...I have them too...so, for the most part, I tend to stick to the 1/focal length rule. Seems to help me a little bit...and then there's those time where it doesn't help much (low light situations). Not sure if the S2 has manual settings, but if it does...then try out the rule. Might prove a little useful.

Good luck, and definately, post some more.

[Attic]

Great sharp shots Jerry, those Bearded Dragons are brilliant pet reptiles, all the ones I've meet will just sit on your lap or hand and let you stroke them for ages.

[no_doubt]

Thanks Alby, Yea, Hannibal's a character! He sits on my shoulder all the while I'm at the keyboard (what little time I'm able to sit in one place and type) then he usually jumps down onto the keyboard and stares endlessly up at the colors on the monitor. I see you're in the UK, so here's his stats metric; he's 22 months old, 54cm long, and weighs in at 456 gr.

inthedeck - Yes this S2 can go full manual; shutter speed, focus, all that good stuff. I'll definitely be getting into all that. Sometimes though, I've got to do things according to my "feel ok" days. I'm one you may not see post often or at all for long times, then suddenly I'll be on a forum the entire day.

Take Care Guys,
Jerry

[D.C.]

Jerry,
Nice pictures. This forum is great and very addictive. I can spent a few hours a day here very easy. I love pictures of all kinds. Have 4 or 5 favorite areas. The most important thing is you got the eyes in sharp focus.