First time outdoor pictures

[shutter_blitz]

These are my first outdoor shoots ever. Had some time time this weekend to kill. It was a mostly overcast evening. Images were taken as large jpegs. These images are straight from the camera, well except that the pcitures are hosted on flickr so the upload tweaks them a bit. What do you think?
1.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2468034710_e764c6d418.jpg

2.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2411/2468036434_f8e164bacb.jpg


3. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2468034850_21610d87fa.jpg (Another version of photo 1. Which is better?)
4. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2326/2467209709_6d9acdeca3.jpg
5. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2467209993_44a9f803dd.jpg
6. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/2467211373_20870ac84d.jpg
7. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/2468036990_acb5598288.jpg
8. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2467211609_fe7ff7ee66.jpg
9. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2467211711_cf6c268719_b.jpg
10. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/2467210731_6642dceae8.jpg

I will post more pics in another thread.

[Robert_Lay]

I like #1, 7 and 10. They are the ones that in my opinion have the best composition, lighting, control over background, and exposure.

[shutter_blitz]

Thanks! Any comments on whats lacking in the other photos? What I could have done?

[Robert_Lay]

Thanks! Any comments on whats lacking in the other photos? What I could have done?
In most of the other pictures the DOF was so shallow that there was too much OOF material in the foreground.

[johnstoy]

I like the fruit tree flowers...

If you're only using one lens, the 50mm f1.4 (very good lens)... I'd consider getting an extension tube or a set of them... It will allow you to get closer to the subject.

Watch your background, and lighting... Otherwise try to post process your pics for exposure and colors, blacks and whites, highlights/shadows too...

So far your composition is very simple... try to diversify your framing, composition and be more selective of your subjects.

Sometimes less is more... I'd pick out only the very best captures for presentation... Shoot a lot of photos, and select only the very best ones. Good luck.

[shutter_blitz]

Thanks again, Rob.

John,
Thanks for the comments. Can u be more speciifc on what pics actually need improvement-where the backgroud and lighting need improvement? Which ones u think are the best?
I personally think the white blossoms need the most improvement in terms of lighting. As Rob said I need to ease up on the DOF.
I have my eye on a macro lens, hopefully once I get that I can get the close ups I need.
This batch of pics was for practice and understanding my errors, thats the reason I didn't use any PP.
I took a total of 54 pics and narrowed it down to these for critiquing and feedback.