Wonder what you guys/gals think about these 2 pics.

[MikesJo]

Do the following two pictures look a lil washed out in your opinions? It was shot w/ the onboard 10D flash and i bumped up the shadows a bit.

http://www.*******/~mslee/images/spain/IMG_0759_edit_small.jpg
http://www.*******/~mslee/images/spain/IMG_0758_edit_small.jpg

[Big_B]

Yes they do look a little washed out. However I think you did well to get them so sharp in those lighting conditions - especially the first one.

[Radtech1]

Sorry, but truth be told, I see a couple of vacation snapshots. Nothing more.

Maybe it is a tough subject matter. I'm not sure.

But what I don't see is any attention whatsoever paid to aesthetics. I don't know if you were able to move from the shooting location or not, but putting that sign directly behind your subject matter was not a good idea. I am certain that that sign must have been visible through the viewfinder. Was there any reason you didn't move to your left to get it out of the way? Also, the clutter of people standing around, sitting around, some looking at the subject, some not paying attention of all - they really distract. Why are they in the shot? A much more dramatic presentation would have been to move closer, and shoot upwards. Get rid of all unnecessary people, and get that sign out of the way.

Looks like a fun time, and snapshots that say "Hey, I was there". But, as far as photographs go, sorry - but they just done cut it.

Rad

[MikesJo]

Radtech1, the pictures weren't meant to be anything close to "wow" or aesthetically pleasing. It was more like a "vacation snapshot", spur the moment picture of some friends doing some acrobatics at the beach. I was just asking if the color looked fine or washed out to the rest of you :). Cause to me it looked a bit washed out and I've been messing with PS. But thanks foro the critique on the composition ;).