New camera, need feedback

So, I'm one of the thousands that got their first DSLR for Christmas and I'm finding out how much I didn't know about photography.

Here are a couple of the first ones I've taken with it and I'm wanting critiques to improve my ability. Both taken with a T2i and a 55-250mm 4-5.6 IS.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/wildcat78/53309​16493/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/wildcat78/53309​16105/

It would help if you posted your exif data. I'm guessing that you shot jpeg and perhaps auto
white balance. #2 appears to have a bit of a yellow cast, but even so, that isn't necessarily
a bad thing. I set white point on the cat's white(?) fur next to the nose.

I like the shallow depth of field on this one, with focus on the eye. Notice that I cropped it.

first off i really like #2. i like the feeling that it portrays of laziness and the colors are well matched, especially the pillow and the cats eye.

for #1 im not sure where you were going with it. the picture is very busy. also it looks to me as though everything is slanting to the left. the telephone lines are distracting and break up the house plus the buildings in the back draw my attention away from the house. here are some questions to ask yourself: what are you trying to show in this picture? What is the focus? what did you like about this shot that made you take the picture?

consider these things then go back and take a couple more shots of the house. all the elements in the shot aren't necessarily bad but if you have too many of them in one shot it get too busy.

Edit:
in response to the post above (we just posted at the same time O.o lol) the crop does give more of a focus on the cat but i still like the lazy "at home" feel that the original had. I agree with what he said but at the same time i like your original composition.

Welcome to the forum.

I like both of your posts. The first is crisp and clean looking, well exposed.

I prefer #2. Good focus on the eye. Good, quirky photo. I do like Peano's crop and white balance change. I always suggest folks use any white balance they want except auto. You never know what you'll end up with on auto.

Titus213 wrote in post #11587756
I always suggest folks use any white balance they want except auto. You never know what you'll end up with on auto.

+1

Better yet, shoot raw.

Newb question, but how do I post exif data?

With photo #1 I was going for the contrast between the old slightly rundown house with the backdrop of the newer modern neon lit skyscraper. It's always struck me as neat image when I drive down that street. Suggestions on how I can capture that feeling without the power lines, etc. getting in the way? Stand closer to the house and get low to shoot at an upward angle where the larger buildings just barely fit into the background?

I like the edits on #2. I felt like there was a good image in there trying to get out.

White balance was indeed on auto, I'll change that and see what kind of shots I get.

Thanks for the responses.

Wildcat78 wrote in post #11588017
Newb question, but how do I post exif data?

There appears to be some way to do it on your flickr account ... or you could just type it in here.

If you shoot raw, you won't have to worry about that. I put off shooting raw because I thought it was complex. Turned out to be easy as falling off a log.

I like them both. For #1, can't believe what a good job you did with exposure given the variety of light sources and varied distance of the different subjects. #2 is really clever. I think I like Peano's tight crop with vignette version the best, though.