Couple photos taken by rookie

Here's Couple pictures i took... I am NOT a photographer by far, Im just a rookie thats getting into photography for a hobie & would like some opinions from people who know there stuff about photography!

I'd also like some Tips on photography.. any tips will do...

Please rate these from 0-10 ... 10 being the best etc..

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Woops! added the pictures twice.. lol, Sorry! (as u can probably see im new to this forum)

I feel embarrist to be honest, I just seen other people's pictures, and i just think how rubbish mines are lol. Please just humour me! They are like my first pictures, without a tripod... without any logic whatsoever... - i cannot make anymore excuses, hehe

Crocster,

Since you are asking here are my impressions.

You shot the verticle tower in landscape mode...I don't think it worked. See all the little cutoff spires on the lower right? They add nothing to this photograph. Niether does the black spire to the left. BTW--the tower is cutoff too. I pretty much agree with your assessment, but you're taking a really good step to improve by visiting this forum.

Cat picture...pretty good job on a tough shot to get. A little fill flash might help give depth to the cat's shaded eye, which right now looks like an eyeless socket.

picture 1 : Top part of BIG BEN in missing , distracting objects in left corner
picture 2: Cat's Face is in dark
i like #1 better

Keep On Clicking

Cheers,
Sam

Thanks for replys, & please understand I am a rookie.. And just thought they looked nice pictures... however after visiting here, i understand what is meant by a "good shot". I think you both are spot on. I never realy thought about things like distrations, top of the tower missing...(its not that much missing, but i supose it does matter). I obvioulsy know about darkness in the cats face... & general darkness in the picture, But the thing I realy wanted to keep is the light coming in from the window.. which I think would make a nice picture, I took one with Flash.. and it was far to bright for my likelyness, perhaps i couldave put a small light to brighten up alittle... and mightave gave the car 2 eyes!!(instead of one). As anyone knows, to get a cat in a position like that... It was something that just hapend, and i took picture while i could.

Does anyone any advice on how to improve and maybe make some excellent pictures? There is some AMAZING pictures on this forum, And i am realy determined to take some nice/similer ones someday...

Cheers

Keep taking pictures, practice, and read a lot. A cat is a difficult subject on his best day. Keep posting! Cute cat!

A bit of advice since you asked - and it would have helped with the Big Ben shot -

Look in all four corners of the viewfinder before you press the shutter.

Someone told me this a long while ago and it works as long as you have time. Its surprising what you don't see when you concentrate on the subject too much.

I would agree with the other comments posted about the angle of the Big Ben shot, the distracting peices in the photo, and the darkness of the cat. But what I really want to emphasize is that no matter what you think of your photos, keep shooting a lot. If you feel that your photos are rubbish, the best way to make them better is to practice a lot. I know I have gotten a lot better just from taking many photos. Accept good criticism and ignore people just being rude. And most of all, no matter what others say, if you like the photos, then that's all that matters. (See quote below) Good luck!