Lets be honest

Looking at my photos on my flickr account, do you think I need improvements in my photography? If so, where do I need the improvement the most? Is it the lighting that needs improvement, or the composition? Or even post editing that can help a bit?

In all honesty, I don't want to be getting the Canon 50D if my photos are not really good, I know it isn't down to the equipment alone that can either improve or make the photos worse

I skimmed through your entire 2009 set, as well as through some others. It's a mixed bag- some photos are quite good others are a bit soft or blurry or underexposed or needing something else done in PP. What software are you currently using? Do you shoot in RAW?

I don't think getting a 50D will be the answer to magically better photos. I just sold my 400D a short while ago and it really isn't much worse of a camera then my 30d or 40d (at least for the things I shoot). I found it to be a very good camera at high ISOs and focusing depends more on the lenses. I likely would still have the 400D if I didn't need 2 cameras (wanted them to match, and have faster FPS for weddings). Have you thought about getting some other lenses, perhaps a 17-55IS or maybe 85mm f/1.8? I couldn't see EXIF on your flickr pics so I couldn't tell what particular FL you were using the most. You have a TON of different subject matter (which is a great thing ), but it would be easier to give advice if you wanted help in a certain area. Maybe pick one thing and work on it until you feel good at it and then work on something else (your landscape pics were pretty good, for instance).

Most of the photos taken in 2009 were with the 55-250mm, though the clown photos weren't

The live music photography were mainly taken with the 50mm f/1.8mm. I was thinking of getting into macro photography, and since the 60mm f/2.8 was good for portraiture as well, I thought that maybe I should buy that...being on a tight budget with the monies that I have

I know that upgrading isn't going to solve the problem of most of the photos that I think imho look soft and blurry. Also, about the subjects that I photo, well that is meeeeee

Also, have now allowed EXIF info to be shown on the flickr account

It's hard to judge, there isn't a clear enough vision on what you are trying to do or what your goal is.

Gear is not the issue, it rarely ever is.

Karl Johnston wrote in post #10018527
It's hard to judge, there isn't a clear enough vision on what you are trying to do or what your goal is.

Gear is not the issue, it rarely ever is.

Do you think I should try to stick to one type of photography, like fashion for example?

400dabuser wrote in post #10018540
Do you think I should try to stick to one type of photography, like fashion for example?

I think it might be a good idea. You know what they say... "jack of all trades, master of none."

400dabuser wrote in post #10017072
Looking at my photos on my flickr account, do you think I need improvements in my photography? If so, where do I need the improvement the most? Is it the lighting that needs improvement, or the composition? Or even post editing that can help a bit?

The answers are yes, everywhere, yes, yes, and yes. For $500, I will give you a detailed critique of the first 20 photos on your site or any 20 of your choosing. How's that? What I'm saying here is that you're asking a lot.

Everybody needs improvement in photography. If one gets to the point where one decides that one has "arrived" and that there is no room for improvement, that's when one starts dying. The cash value of one's gear is the least important factor.

Having said that, I don't think I answered the questions that you really meant to ask: Am I any good? And is it worth it for me to invest more into it? To answer these questions, here are two questions that you should be asking yourself to assess where you stand in the art of photography. (1) Am I pleased with my results? (2) Do others admire my work?

Moving up to more expensive gear will not move you forward on answering #1. Accomplished photographers are seldom completely happy with their results. They study their craft and they seek out new approaches to make it better. You posted scores of images on your Flickr site. So I'm guessing that your answer to this question is yes. However, there is always room for improvement.

As for whether or not others admire your work, there are standard indicators for this. Has anybody asked you to publish it? Have you submitted to art galleries and has somebody bought it? Has anybody commissioned you to shoot for them? Have your images won contests? When you ask someone to tell you what they think about an image do they gasp in awe? Are they at a loss for words because they are overwhelmed with emotion?

So here's a freebie. You have some nice images on your Flickr site. There are some technical issues, as there are with the images from just about anybody. A better way for you to get a clearer indicator is to post a single shot in the critique corner forum and put on your body armor. If you pay attention to what people write, then you're engaging in an activity directed at self-improvement. As for the 50D, I think you'd get just as nice images from it as you get with your current gear.

400dabuser wrote in post #10018540
Do you think I should try to stick to one type of photography, like fashion for example?

No. Take pictures of things that you like.

Unless your goal is to make a living at it. In that case, stick with what you do best.

joedlh wrote in post #10018733
The answers are yes, everywhere, yes, yes, and yes. For $500, I will give you a detailed critique of the first 20 photos on your site or any 20 of your choosing. How's that? What I'm saying here is that you're asking a lot.

Everybody needs improvement in photography. If one gets to the point where one decides that one has "arrived" and that there is no room for improvement, that's when one starts dying. The cash value of one's gear is the least important factor.

Having said that, I don't think I answered the questions that you really meant to ask: Am I any good? And is it worth it for me to invest more into it? To answer these questions, here are two questions that you should be asking yourself to assess where you stand in the art of photography. (1) Am I pleased with my results? (2) Do others admire my work?

Moving up to more expensive gear will not move you forward on answering #1. Accomplished photographers are seldom completely happy with their results. They study their craft and they seek out new approaches to make it better. You posted scores of images on your Flickr site. So I'm guessing that your answer to this question is yes. However, there is always room for improvement.

As for whether or not others admire your work, there are standard indicators for this. Has anybody asked you to publish it? Have you submitted to art galleries and has somebody bought it? Has anybody commissioned you to shoot for them? Have your images won contests? When you ask someone to tell you what they think about an image do they gasp in awe? Are they at a loss for words because they are overwhelmed with emotion?

So here's a freebie. You have some nice images on your Flickr site. There are some technical issues, as there are with the images from just about anybody. A better way for you to get a clearer indicator is to post a single shot in the critique corner forum and put on your body armor. If you pay attention to what people write, then you're engaging in an activity directed at self-improvement. As for the 50D, I think you'd get just as nice images from it as you get with your current gear.

To be honest, my brother doesn't like my photos, thinks that all of them except the cat montage (with the minor exception of that black and white kitten), are all too dark....

This is why I am struggling with myself at the moment, whether the lighting needs improving.

I agree with you that most established photographers think their work is not up to standards

I have never entered into competitions/art galleries, especially the latter, since I wanted to enter one photo into a gallery to sell, but stuck in a quandary to whether I would get sued if that image was to be used without that person's consent (picture of a carnival queen)

joedlh wrote in post #10018776
No. Take pictures of things that you like.

Unless your goal is to make a living at it. In that case, stick with what you do best.

Ok, sound advice there

Most of us here take pictures for a hobby and as such, enjoy the learning process. The kudos from our brethren on this forum is all we need.
Others will always have that dream of selling our stuff and some actually will, but the number of "Pros", (folks that actually support a family with photography), I suggest is a limited number.
Think of it as a Bell Curve with most of us at the apex of that curve and those Pros are at the extreme right downside.

Take that first step and enter your best in a local competition and get some feedback from the judges. Joe's advice...you can take that to the bank.

I think your shots are cool! The composition looks a little off on a few of them, like perhaps it would be better if it was framed differently, but overall I think you're doing a great job.

Don't focus on one thing, take pictures of what you like. Variety is the spice of life, why take pictures of the same thing all the time? Sounds boring to me!

I agree... Don't worry about becoming a "master" at one thing. If you enjoy taking photos of everything, there is NO problem with that. Your photos looked good!