critic and comments welcomed

Hi,

I'm brand new at the this. My equipment includes a Canon Rebel Xt, and two lenses: Canon EF-S55-250/4-5.6IS, and Canon EF-S18-55 /3.5-5.6 II.

I'm just looking to have fun, and some relaxation with the camera. Any comments about technique would be more the welcome.

The first pictures is a pasque flower in the Black Hills of South Dakota, taken with the 55-250 lens.

The second was taken Saturday evening, at dusk, without a tripod, with the 55-250 lens. Thank heavens for IS.

Thanks in advance!

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Here is one more photo. It was taken in the Black Hills during a hike a few days ago. Again, with the 55-250 lens.

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Both 1st and 3rd pictures are plagued with DOF issues.

I find it difficult to accept large areas of the foreground being out of focus. It hurts my eyes.

In the future, try to pick a time of day when the sun is not so high in the sky. It's about the worst time of day for anything - especially a portrait.

i agree with the log in front being distracting, and lacking focus

how does it look now with the log removed, and some editing via photoshop?

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Big improvement, in my opinion!
Isn't that a beautiful smile?

indeed - I'll tell my Mom you said so!