Beginner eager for input!

[miyagisan]

Ok, I know these are nothing dramatic. I'm trying to work on my shooting and postprocessing abilities. I feel like I've stared at my own images for so long that I need other (more experienced) eyes to critique them. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Gear: XSI, Sigma 70-300mm F4-6.3 DG APO, monopod
Processing:
RAW - white balance, saturation
PS - Overlay levels layer, a little dodge/burn, Hue overlay layer, unsharp mask

I think maybe I overdid the Hue layer, particularly on #2

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h199/turbotuner/IMG_4042_finalweb.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h199/turbotuner/IMG_4013_finalweb.jpg

[mikekelley]

While they are technically good photos, there is really not much that keeps me engaged. It depends what you are shooting for though. If for a gardening publication or something I think they would be great, but other than that I don't think they will hold much attention. The flowers are very pretty, you've just got to find a way to incorporate the flowers into something or incorporate something into the flowers (bugs, something else interesting that is man made or not man made) to make a great photo.

In my opinion of course.

[S.Horton]

Welcome to POTN.

I think your processing looks fine.

Over time, I've learned that when I feel that I've looked at an image too long, I need to set it aside for at least a day, then come back to it. Try that!

[chopper5654]

i wouldnt overanalyze the pp. they look great to me. i like that you filled the frame and didnt "center" them.

[joedlh]

#1 Looks good. Try cropping a little more off the left, right up to the petal. The stamen and pistils will still be off center.

#2 Composition doesn't grab me. The flower has parts cut off and you have all that wasted space on the right. It's a dead-on shot of the flower, so a center composition might be appropriate in this situation. Try it. Unless you're planning on adding text (e.g. Hallmark moment) to the right side. In that case, leave it. More problematical is that the throat of the flower -- which lacks interest -- has the focus, thus leaving the pistils, stamen, and petals out of focus.

[miyagisan]

Thanks for replies everyone :)

mikekelley, I definitely see your point. In trying so hard technically the rest gets overlooked sometimes.

joedlh, thank you for the insight on the cropping. I moved away from centering the subject, but left a bunch of dead space.