New to Macro! First Shots CC please (7images)

Ok, so I was bored in Maryland on a business trip for 2 weeks! Had my camera with me but my 17-55 2.8 IS was waiting for me back home still in the box, just delivered! So I wanted a versatile walkaround lens while in MD so I found Jamey's post on here in the sell Forum and bought a Tamron 28-75 2.8 XR Li LD Macro that he was selling. Over the next few days, I found me some flowers and began experimenting... Please any and all CC is welcome. Tear these shots apart and tell me what to do better

1.

#1 is sharp and well composed - shame its in a jar perhaps. The backlit shots don't do much for me and the highlights are very blown but that may be deilberate. At least you are trying something different and others may well love the effect. Flowers are tough to produce images that stand out from the crowd. Ladybird shot is just dull.

Agree with Toby regarding getting flower shots to stand out. Having said that #3 works for me. The backlighting adds atmosphere. The rest of the flower shots, though nice, just do not stand out, or the blown highlights prove to be too much of a distraction.

Sorry, have to agree with the ladybird being dull. Unless a bug has a really interesting feature, it is always best to have focus on the eyes.