New to DSLR's and this forum

[rubykate]

Hello. I've made a few posts already as I was checking out the forum and decided to get brave and post some photos I took with my Xti.

I am new to DSLR's and after trying out the Sony Alpha, the Canon 30D and the Xti - I chose the Xti and am very happy so far with the camera and the quality of the photos. I know I have alot to learn.

I'm posting a few shots - I need help with everything so constructive criticism is welcome.

I look forward to "meeting" you all and reading your comments.
http://www.rubykate.com/photos/casting.jpg

http://www.rubykate.com/photos/flower.jpg
http://www.rubykate.com/photos/bud.jpg

http://www.rubykate.com/photos/ceph.jpg

[Heatseeker99]

What lens are you using? Welcome!

[rubykate]

Hello!

These were taken with the kit lens in the Program, Macro and Sports Mode. I hope to get more daring with the manual settings...

I have a 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III that I used for the first time the other day and I did not care for that lens much at all. It is so hard to turn! I felt like I was cranking it. (I did not post those)

[JSimonian]

Kelly,
Those look quite good for someone just starting out! I think the first and last are the best, while #2 & #3 are a bit too centered. The plant in #4 looks pretty cool...Like its growing slippers or Ugg boots or something. Great timing on the first one, as well!

Enjoy your camera and welcome to the forum!

[chestercopperpot]

yes i agree, very very good for just starting. For #3, you were right to go with a shallow DOF to isolate your subject, but the out of focus bud's location is distracting to me. It's position right in the middle and in front of your main subject makes it too prominent in the picture instead of keeping my attention on the in-focus bud. (hopefully that made sense). But overall, great ideas and great shots. Look forward to seeing more.

[rubykate]

Those look quite good for someone just starting out! I think the first and last are the best, while #2 & #3 are a bit too centered. The plant in #4 looks pretty cool...Like its growing slippers or Ugg boots or something. Great timing on the first one, as well!
JSimonian - Thank you very much! I am trying to get out of the habit of centering but sometimes I forget... The plant in #4 is A Cephalotus. It's a carnivorous plant - I think they are so beautiful! I have 3! I have some others but haven't photo'd them yet.

For #3, you were right to go with a shallow DOF to isolate your subject, but the out of focus bud's location is distracting to me. It's position right in the middle and in front of your main subject makes it too prominent in the picture instead of keeping my attention on the in-focus bud. (hopefully that made sense). But overall, great ideas and great shots. Look forward to seeing more.
chestercopperpot - thanks! I did understand that and completely agree about the bud in the foreground being distracting.

Thank you both - I appreciate your comments and advice.

[Titus213]

Welcome! That's a pretty good first set of images I think...the last one is my favorite. Good color (#1 could use something, perhaps some contrast), and quite crisp.

[Alex_H]

Those look really, really good. I like the last picture that looks like a Venus fly trap.

[rubykate]

Welcome! That's a pretty good first set of images I think...the last one is my favorite. Good color (#1 could use something, perhaps some contrast), and quite crisp.
Titus213 - Thanks for the welcome and the comments! I'm glad to be here. I know what you mean about #1. They were moving and I was not wanting alot of blur but wish they were a little crisper. #4 is a photo of my favorite plant, the Cephalotus follicularis.

Those look really, really good. I like the last picture that looks like a Venus fly trap.
Alex_H - Thanks! You are close! It is a carnivorous plant like the Venus flytrap but this one is a Cephalotus follilcularis.

[MDJAK]

All I can say is Holy *&^%, two out of those four are fantastic.

The first shot with the splash is amazing. It reminds me of someone's avatar here who has a picture of a Harold Egerton's (sp?) high speed photography shot. Only thing that spoils it a bit is the car parked there.

One of the shots of the flowers is great. Another is a tad soft.

Beautiful work. Can't wait to see your work when you get "good" ;)

ps: Any reason you linked instead of embedding the photos? Sometimes people are too lazy to go to links. You'll get more responses that way.

mark

[rubykate]

All I can say is Holy *&^%, two out of those four are fantastic.

The first shot with the splash is amazing. It reminds me of someone's avatar here who has a picture of a Harold Egerton's (sp?) high speed photography shot. Only thing that spoils it a bit is the car parked there.

One of the shots of the flowers is great. Another is a tad soft.

Beautiful work. Can't wait to see your work when you get "good" :wink:

ps: Any reason you linked instead of embedding the photos? Sometimes people are too lazy to go to links. You'll get more responses that way.
MDJAK - Thanks! I'm going to have to pay attention to extra things in the backgrounds of my shots - and my centering.

About the photos linked. I could have sworn I clicked the image button instead of the URL....

[rubykate]

Here's another of the net casting photos I took.
http://rubykate.com/photos/casting2.jpg

[JohnnyG]

Really nice images especially for someone new! That kit lens can take some excellent pictures and that's why I suggest it frequently.

Welcome to the forum too and I'm looking forward to more shots.

[Skip Souza]

.............ps: Any reason you linked instead of embedding the photos? ..............................
mark

............................
About the photos linked. I could have sworn I clicked the image button instead of the URL....
Don't you guys read the fine print below the post? To wit: "Last edited by Skip Souza : 8 Minutes Ago at 05:07 PM. Reason: oversize images converted to links.....again"

rubykate your photography shows real promise. You do need to read this: IMAGE POSTING RULES (READ BEFORE YOU POST!) (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51022)

[MDJAK]

Sheesh, I'm always being misquoted around here. ;)

What I said was: Please read the fine print and don't post oversize images ever again. There. Take that, you newbie. ;) :D

me

[Skip Souza]

Sheesh, I'm always being misquoted around here. ;)

What I said was: Please read the fine print and don't post oversize images ever again. There. Take that, you newbie. ;) :D

me
You're killin' me Mark. :lol: :lol: :rolleyes: :lol: :lol:

[rubykate]

Don't you guys read the fine print below the post?
Skip Souza - Apparently not...:oops: Sorry!
rubykate your photography shows real promise. You do need to read this
Skip Souza - Thank you! I have read the thread.:)