First set ever of PP'ed photos from a good camera, looking for some feedback

Hey guys, my first official post on these forums. I just got a 40d, and a 18-55mm IS lens. This is my first batch of actual photos (Not just messing around with friends), and I'd like some feedback.

ISO 400, F/7.1, 1/125s

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I really like your composition, and the shallow DOF works nicely, good job!

please check the rules for image sizes

a lot of these feel like the wrong thing are in focus, pay attention to what you are trying to capture in an image and make sure its in focus

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Like what he said: I can't get your shots to display easily on my screen, so any comments are kinda based on parts of your photos.
But that aside, I can see you're VERY excited to get your camera and lens.

Keep practicing and playing with perspectives, aperture and lighting....and you'll improve.

POTN is a great "family" from which you can learn a lot.

Regards,
Simon

Yes, I'm working with manual focus in those pictures. Thanks for the feedback! I'll resize images in a second.

Remember when shooting a landscape and you want good focus throughout to make the aperture smaller (bigger number). It looks like your trying to shoot outside the green box which is good, but unless your looking for a shallow DOF then close that aperture.
Also for resizing your pics, the fastest way I have found is tinypic. I choose my image, then resize it to the 17" display and hit upload. Copy the forum code and paste it in my reply.

I was experimenting with fairly high aperture (F/5.6-6.3) for the most part because it was quite cloudy, and I had to use a reduced shutter speed (Sometimes as low as 1/10 sec), and I had IS off (Stupid me... lol). I tried to maximize shutter speed, I was working without my bipod.

How is my color balance?

On the 18-55 lens 5.6 is almost wide open aperture. What iso were you shooting at? Also remember that IS is not the "be all end all" when it comes to camera wobble. Most of us have it turned off unless we are shooting in very low lighting as it can actually cause soft images if you dont need it. In fact the only lens I have with IS is a kit lens.

Iso was set to ~800ish, depending on lighting conditions. That would explain the softness I noticed with it on. I try not to go over ~1000 to avoid excessive noise.

I generally don't "Need" IS for anything over 1/25 sec. Should I practice being steadier? Haha

mikel1291979 wrote in post #11356840
On the 18-55 lens 5.6 is almost wide open aperture. What iso were you shooting at? Also remember that IS is not the "be all end all" when it comes to camera wobble. Most of us have it turned off unless we are shooting in very low lighting as it can actually cause soft images if you dont need it. In fact the only lens I have with IS is a kit lens.

By "High" I meant open

Here is a shot with a much deeper FOV.

Shot at IS0 400, F/10, 1/80s, IS off.

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FOV and DOF are not the same, FYI

you do not describe FOV as deep, but as narrow or wide

I think its a very good start. I like the DOF in the photo of the chain and fence. On the first shot with the road, I would have used a rule of thirds. It would have added more to it. Good job and welcome to POTN!

Fureinku wrote in post #11357196
FOV and DOF are not the same, FYI

you do not describe FOV as deep, but as narrow or wide

Woops, it was late and a switched the two words, I meant DoF

@Scott - Thanks! Can you explain the rule of thirds? Hehe, I'm really new to photography