Firest semi-serious shots with XSI

OK, so I'm new to DSLR photography. I'm shooting an XSI (450D) with a 50 1.4 to force me to compose without a zoom. Can you let me know what you would do to improve these? TIA!

Very nice! You have a good eye. The first image uses a technique called framing. The subject is placed between or surrounded by something such as trees, large rocks, etc... In your case the two tree trunks. Excellent.

Also, if you'd like you can change your user profile to allow image editing. "Image Editing ok" will allow others to post process "PP" your images so you can see first hand what changes they would make. Sometimes it creates a visual that is easier to understand than just trying describe it in words.

Being a complete NEWB!, if I allow editing, I assume that they are not editing the acutal image that is hosted elsewhere I will update my profile...thanks for your comments. Here are three more for critique, all opinions welcome, I want to learn and appreciate any suggestions.

Starbucker wrote in post #5798788
Being a complete NEWB!, if I allow editing, I assume that they are not editing the acutal image that is hosted elsewhere

Correct, people will edit a copy of the image to quickly show you where they would go with it. Sometimes it's easier than trying to put the changes into words.

What post processing software are you using?

I did the following to the image of the little girl (kids with schmutz on their faces... what's better than that?):

In Lightroom
White Balance: Temp -22
White Balance: Tint +26
Tone: Exposure +0.19
Tone: Recovery 5
Tone: Fill Light 39
Presence: Vibrance +8
Tone Curve: Lights +21
Sharpening: Amount 35
Sharpening: Radius 1.2
Sharpening: Detail 20
Sharpening: Masking 70
Lens Vignetting: Amount -50
Lens Vignetting: Midpoint 25
Crop to 4:5 ratio to put child's eyes in top right third, eliminating dead space.

In Photoshop
Duplicate Background Layer
High Pass Sharpening on Duplicate Layer (Radius 1.0, Overlay)
Mask Duplicate layer so only retina and pupil receive the extra sharpening.

Result:
_

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I like them all.the last one is the only one I see that needed some color and white balances.but Chris got it done

Yes.lol.I had to Chris

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Thanks everyone, I've only got Aperture right now so I can't be very fancy on the post editing. From what I can see, photoshop is quite expensive. I have no idea what a layer is? The edited images look fantastic!

Starbucker wrote in post #5800239
Thanks everyone, I've only got Aperture right now so I can't be very fancy on the post editing. From what I can see, photoshop is quite expensive. I have no idea what a layer is? The edited images look fantastic!

I can't confirm this, so hopefully someone else can, but I believe Aperature has very similar functionality to Lightroom. They always seem to be compared to each other. You should be able to get to the same place I did with Aperature.