Just looking for some helpful tips...

Hello, my name is Chris and I am new to the forum. I recently purchased a Canon Powershot Pro1 for a steal from my girlfriends mom. Anyways.. I would like to share some pictures taken today and wouldn't mind some criticism to help me out. I am basically at less than beginner status and have been trying to learn f/stop and aperture settings.

The lamp on the pole makes for an interesting composition. The sun(set/rise) is very good.

Since both of those are pictures with extreme ranges of tones, you may want to read up on Merge to HDR and experiment with that.

Welcome!

Nice beginning. If you're just getting started, I'd suggest picking one subject and shooting it as many different ways as possible (zoom, aperture, shutter speed, ISO) from exactly the same spot. You'll eliminate one of the main variables and see how all those other things affect your results.

Next pick one subject ans shoot it as many different ways as possible from all kinds of different perspectives, but trying not to change any of the camera settings (zoom, aperture, shutter speed, ISO).

Fun ways to learn.

I really like the first & third shot. The second shot seems a little out of focus.

Your compositional elements look good, but you do need to keep an eye on where you focus.. the flower shot is focussed on the bottom left petal that just peaks in, not on the main flower in the middle.

But looks like a good start.. and PLEASE keep the habit of looking for different point of views to shoot things (such as the 1st shot)... its so refreshing to see a dramatic angle rather than the same shot over and over.. of course youve got to learn when its appropriate, but when learning, have fun and go crazy

You are off to a good start, Listen to the advice of the others.

I just want to give a thanks for all the helpful tips so far and I look forward to learning more techniques to help my photography.

I really like the composition of the first one. Nice job!
With a name like Chris, you have to be good!!

#1 and #3 are really nice. I like the artistic-ness of the first. Always interesting. And the sunset/rise is very pretty.

#1 and #3 are really good for a "less than beginner". Keep it up!