beginner...C&C please!

[SpeedkingXSi]

http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1pF543z8SbEol6Jc38gNLMIEO_iN2vt3EG6PMfaJgRAb_SeV3 M1iDxtZkWNUjVVuzM

http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1p203ymxLAoY5UZDu8H2z7EiRWUwp_fApGXx9e_Azre4fTWC-_zYXJRg96rzMSg97e

http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1psydaOAEGDVTqrZqtrZntXipT9XSzOGpOA_gOag8wTJOFHuw B0Q88kIT73z11ylg7

http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1pfdDhWOpnqaFEQLrvoKdPENSohQtv9oQUg0olByq5t3lm4nQ 5wS2EHB6wKWJhaQYV

[JuiceBox]

Watch your highlights. A lot of them are blown, particularly in the last two photos. Also, the background detracts from the photos, a lot. No one really wants to see floor tiles in flower shots.

[SwingBopper]

Good advice from JuiceBox. I'd just add that bigger pictures would be nicer too.

[Metalstrm]

What the above guys said, and I would also add that (at least to me), the pictures look very soft. The subjects are centered; try putting them one third off one side. Also, shooting flowers from above is a bit common-looking. We are always looking at flowers from above, so why not try something different and get down to their level?

Having said that, I really like the last image, especially with some tweaks in the highlights.

[EOS_JD]

Using a macro lens would allow you to get much closer to the flowers and allow you to isolate the subject. In the first the flower isn't very attractive. Look for perfectly shaped flowers. Did you use flash in No2? There's a shadow to the back of the flower an the highlights are blown. In No3 you're not close enough to get a decent shot. In No4 the flowers look over exposed.

[SpeedkingXSi]

thx for the c&c ... being a completely noob
I'll have to ask...how would I change the settings or edit my pic to make it NOT over exposed? and what steps to prevent a over blown highlights?


I'm not planning on buying any lens soon, I want to take beautiful photos with my point of view not depend on expensive gears (atleast for now until I learn more and understand how's all the settings/editing better)

thanks again everyone for the C&C

[fullcity]

thx for the c&c ... being a completely noob
I'll have to ask...how would I change the settings or edit my pic to make it NOT over exposed? and what steps to prevent a over blown highlights?

You have an XSi -- start reading the manual and learn about its features (even if you, like me, hate reading them). Your LCD display has the ability to show you histograms and blown highlights in real-time -- so you can fix a bad shot immediately by changing settings and reshooting. Once the highlight is blown, there's nothing you can do to fix it later. Learning how to read your histogram display will also tell you a lot about your exposure -- and also show you when you have blown areas. If you don't like reading manuals, and are willing to spend $25, check out Gary Friedman's ebook on the XSi.

[EOS_JD]

A "must buy" in your scenario is Bryan Petersenn's "Understanding Exposure".

this will help you understand metering and exposure. look up "the rule of thirds" on google too and you'll get plenty of tips on compositionm and what makes a good image.


this will give you a start.

just because you have a better camea will not mean you can automatically make great images. the kit lens is also very limited. but if you are stuck with that you can still make some great shots. you just need to learn and practice.