Some Shots =]

[dcatbagan]

Looking for some constructive criticism on these. Hopefully for some criticism about composition. Thanks!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/4033543656_1cc332540a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/3999092279_98719ab613.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3991392635_1c12a382af.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3249191208_2855021ae9.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/3156390379_050d490bd5.jpg

[hawkskins]

#2 is a cool shot and #4 I like very well too. (for more reasons than the cool bamboo growing in the background)

[dcatbagan]

^Thanks

[Hannya]

Hi. #1 - that flare is distracting. Never a good idea. #2 - need more separation between subject and background. Would have been better if he's not been jumping out of the frame, so to speak. #3 I don't shoot animals (;p) but I don't think this one works all that well. The cushion in the foreground is a distraction. #4 would be nice if it focussed on the dog. The stuff in the bg is a bit unecessary? Unless you intended to put some text on top of it, for instance? #5 is just not metered correctly and therefore underexposed. Next time, move the chairs, get the right exposure and hope the cat is in a good mood. Why the shoes on the table?

[Flo]

The dog one is the best for me, I would even crop out some of that bamboo to bring the dog closer to being the main subject?

[juskonig]

No. 5 is money...

[mikepack]

I really like #5. I actually like the darkness in this image. You've done a good job exposing for the tree. Makes me think of Christmas eve after everyone has gone to bed and only the nocturnal creatures remain. I guess that includes you :)

[Mikeroscope]

I got some advice composition wise.
#2 Get that bike out of there. it is red and distracting. Make him ride switch because that will put his face in the light side. The timing and exposure on that one are great.
#3 is blah. Cat is not into it and the couch is not helping.
#4 is the best. You could mess with it a little in PP and get some really good color out of the tree and bamboo. I know other people say they don't like the way you framed it, but I kinda do. Photography C&C is pretty subjective.
#5 Even if it was exposed correctly it is too noisy, and I don't mean because of a high ISO. It just has too much going on. Simplify. Just kitty and Xmas tree. No shoes or chairs or sofa. And I would do a portrait composition so the top of the tree would fit with the cats whole body.

You are on the right track. Keep shooting. I use my animals as unwilling participants in my photographic education all the time too. They never complain that you took a bad shot of them either.

[dcatbagan]

Thanks for all the help you guys especially snowshooters and haanya. Appreciate the compliments and the criticism. I'll be sure to keep shooting and keep posting to get better. Thanks again