First attempts at these kind -bees,flowers-Still Learning Digital

I have been a long time film user.I'm struggling to understand this digital camera [Pentax K10].So,I've been very nervous about showing anyone my work.There are so many wonderful photographers here!
My subjects are normally children.Yesterday,I made my first attempts at taking shots of something small [bee] & flowers.I even used my K10.Please be kind. I know I need a lot of work & practice.LOL I can't believe I'm actually showing my first attempts of these kind of shots,especially since I used the K10 [which I haven't gotten use to].

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18840931@N03/2434599482/" title="bee pollinating grape hyacinths ,spring by mommato8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2356/2434599482_27e352413f.jpg" width="500" height="388" alt="bee pollinating grape hyacinths ,spring" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18840931@N03/2434598826/" title="pollination bee on grape hyacinths by mommato8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2434598826_a7863a91c2.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="pollination bee on grape hyacinths" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18840931@N03/2434598560/" title="bee working on cherry blossom,spring pollination by mommato8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/2434598560_77b491f854.jpg" width="500" height="464" alt="bee working on cherry blossom,spring pollination" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18840931@N03/2433783935/" title="spring tulips graced by morning sun , by fence by mommato8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3086/2433783935_d3af31f8ca.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="spring tulips graced by morning sun , by fence" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18840931@N03/2433783087/" title="group of cherry blossoms on tree,spring by mommato8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2433783087_49800b95f0.jpg" width="500" height="436" alt="group of cherry blossoms on tree,spring" /></a>

Hopefully I loaded the pictures correctly.

Cathy:blush2:

Don't worry, we all have been through those first stages of using digital cameras. I like the last three more especially the Tulips, the first two have blown up highlights.

Great first attempts! Number 3 and 4 are particularly nice in my opinion. Wonderful detail and framed nicely. As said previously watch those burned out highlights. Your camera will tell you everything you need to know about exposure just keep working with it and learn it's exposure tendencies. Keep it up and don't be afraid to post. This community of photographers is here to help not to rip you up.

Your composition looks great - once you are used to how your camera works, I'm sure you will be happy with it and proud to show off your work!

I'm interested in how you metered the first two shots - as the others have said, the highlights are lighter than the camera's capability, and have blown out to information-less white. Once they have reached white, they cannot be restored and are often distractingly bright. Both of those shots would be better if shot as a higher shutter speed, since the depth of field is totally fine. Getting the exposure perfect will take some getting used to, I just switched from one digital camera to a different one, and am finding differences in exposure just between the two digitals!

The only other criticism I have is that your watermark is a little large, and directly in competition with the image. I totally understand not wanting your work to be stolen, but it does distract!

Insect and flower digital macro photography...prepare to become addicted.:D

On a technical note, your images appear to be a bit washed out, too much white? I would play around with your saturation slider a bit. Just a thought. :D

Thanks for sharing with us!

Whether it's film or digital, the basics are still the same. Since you are in the learning phase with your camera, I would suggest using only manual exposure (I'm assuming that you are not - my apologies if you are). Force yourself to understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

If you leave your camera always in AE mode, you could wonder why it's doing what it's doing for the next year or so. It's only a machine.

Number 5 is my favorite. A real nice photo (I like the smaller version best). Looks like a Hallmark card.

Nice clarity on the bee's back and wings in number one. Thanx for sharing.