I Have No Idea What I'm doing.

Like the title states, really have no clue what I'm doing, just getting started with this, so without further adieu:

These first images shot with a Canon Powershot SD1000

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/68131633@N03/7​750304200/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/68131633@N03/7​749820128/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/68131633@N03/7​749651780/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/68131633@N03/7​743456028/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/68131633@N03/8​120525356/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/68131633@N03/8​120494976/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/68131633@N03/8​117404588/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/68131633@N03/8​117400852/

First of all, welcome to the forum. You'll get lots of help here.

Now, start by posting only your best stuff. One or two images per critique post is best. Most people won't critique multiple pictures. Keep it simple and tell us what aspects of the image you want critiqued.

As for these pictures, it looks like you couldn't find anything really interesting to shoot, so you shot a few cars. They're nice cars, but there's nothing about them that is overly interesting. It looks like they're nicely exposed, though.

Keep shooting and reading tutorials here and elsewhere on the net. You'll get better before you know it.

gibbit1 wrote in post #15168972
First of all, welcome to the forum. You'll get lots of help here.

Now, start by posting only your best stuff. One or two images per critique post is best. Most people won't critique multiple pictures. Keep it simple and tell us what aspects of the image you want critiqued.

As for these pictures, it looks like you couldn't find anything really interesting to shoot, so you shot a few cars. They're nice cars, but there's nothing about them that is overly interesting. It looks like they're nicely exposed, though.

Keep shooting and reading tutorials here and elsewhere on the net. You'll get better before you know it.

I don't entirely agree. That E28 is awesome!

I think these are good! I especially like the feel of the second one.

I'd toss all but 013, and I'd love to play with it if you'd turn "Image editing ok" on

I don't think any of them are particularly mind blowing, but they're okay.

#3 feels like a Craigslist ad, or "check out the used car I just bought". Just not your typical 'show car'.

Keep shoot'n!

gibbit1 wrote in post #15168972
First of all, welcome to the forum. You'll get lots of help here.

Now, start by posting only your best stuff. One or two images per critique post is best. Most people won't critique multiple pictures. Keep it simple and tell us what aspects of the image you want critiqued.

As for these pictures, it looks like you couldn't find anything really interesting to shoot, so you shot a few cars. They're nice cars, but there's nothing about them that is overly interesting. It looks like they're nicely exposed, though.

Keep shooting and reading tutorials here and elsewhere on the net. You'll get better before you know it.

I totally understand what you're saying. The reason I shoot the two cars the most is because I own them both and they are always available at the time I feel like shooting/have time to toy around and I figure its a good way to go out and get my camera in my hands. (the old New Yorker belongs to a good friend)

I understand not all of the images would be critiqued, I posted so many with the mind set that it would give people a better idea of where I am at.

As for what the aspects for critiquing, anything. The shot itself, maybe location, editing, obviously the subject matter, any aspect really, cause this is all so new to me.

Thank you, looking forward to hearing back!

projectmayhem713 wrote in post #15169478
I don't entirely agree. That E28 is awesome!

Thanks!

SkyBaby wrote in post #15169676
I think these are good! I especially like the feel of the second one.

Glad to hear! Its just me taking TONS of pictures and hoping to get a good one out of the bunch.

tmoore323 wrote in post #15170355
I'd toss all but 013, and I'd love to play with it if you'd turn "Image editing ok" on

I'll post the unedited below, thanks! What don't you like about the rest? I don't have any editing software at the moment, so these were all done with Microsoft Office Picture Manager. Some new glass and software is next on the list!

Biffbradford wrote in post #15170738
I don't think any of them are particularly mind blowing, but they're okay.

#3 feels like a Craigslist ad, or "check out the used car I just bought". Just not your typical 'show car'.

Keep shoot'n!

Ha! thats just my crappy old civic, the thing gets great MPG and it was more of a test mule than anything. What do you think would help take it to the next "mind blowing level"? Thanks!

I appreciate all the feedback from everyone! Any aspect of the image that you guys think needs some attention I would love to hear. I don't really have editing software at the moment but I am looking into Lightroom as a possible next purchase, or maybe a new lens as I feel a little bit limited with my current setup.

Thanks everyone!

I think I like 3 the best as you have a pretty clearly defined subject and the background isn't too distracting. It would probably be better cropped in a little tighter, but I think it works otherwise. A good tip I heard once was "Beat us over the head with your subject. Make it obvious what you want us to see. Get rid of the clutter."

Last image is my fav. Youve got a talent, thats obvious, so just keep shooting

Well even though you didn't turn on Image editing OK, you said it was OK so here you go

Just my thoughts but most of the cars have poles/post and buildings growing out of them! you have to watch the backgrounds these are as important as the motors. I would was always told when I first started shooting cars never shot them under/by trees. For me 3 is the best of the bunch, but there is too much flare, I would have shot this from a higher angle reducing the flare. Keep shooting it will come, have a look at car mags to get some more ideas. But most of all Keep Shooting.

So, I'm going to be a little off the cuff on this and not really get into to many specifics on one image vs the next but more of an overall.

First off Glass / Software. I personally would suggest putting the money into Lightroom. It will give you tons of freedom and allow you to take images that are not quite perfect and salvage them. It will also help you see more easily where your mucking up with lighting, etc. Plus its a tool that you WILL use for ages.

Secondly - When I looked at your shots I felt like you shot them just for the sake of taking a picture. I'm a huge fan of shooting tons of shots, and I often overshoot. But, I think haphazard shooting is worse than a bad shot. If you shoot and shoot and hope to find something ok, then you are not "creating" your are "finding" or getting lucky. I think if you were to spend as much time (or more) contemplating what you are going to shoot, how the light will affect it, how you can make it the most interesting etc that you will learn more before you ever press the shutter release, then if you took 1000's random shots and found 10 that you liked. Remember, "You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~~ Ansel Adams

I think if you step back from the camera, look at the light, the shadows, the dynamics of the shot, what makes it interesting, why am I capturing this moment etc; then find a way to express that to your camera/audience while applying fundamentals like the rule of 1/3's your shots will see significant improvement. Having said that, don't shy way from spending time expressing your ideas from different vantage points... we are in a digital age and while it's technically not "free" the cost of overshooting while we learn with our digital cameras is so minimal I encourage smashing that shutter a few more times. I'm a firm believer that you learn more from your mistakes, then by getting it right the first time by luck anwyay...

the first one…is the only one I like personally…you NAILED it…IMO

I appreciate all responses! I've been reading but have had a very busy week. Thanks again, all your suggestions are great!