Absolute beginner Black and white.My first post!

[SMOKEYmtbr]

Well, this is officially my first post ever on this site. I really dig this site lots of great useful info. I don't have any training or education in art or photography but I am curious what some real photographers think of my snapshots. I have a digi camera and an ibook, thats it. Can't wait to get a tripod!

I am concerned about the b&w levels and contrast but I will study some on that. What do you guys think. Thanks

[Seb]

Well, this is officially my first post ever on this site. I really dig this site lots of great useful info. I don't have any training or education in art or photography but I am curious what some real photographers think of my snapshots. I have a digi camera and an ibook, thats it. Can't wait to get a tripod!

I am concerned about the b&w levels and contrast but I will study some on that. What do you guys think. Thanks

Smokey,

This absolutely doesn't look like beginner work to me. In fact I believe that your last two pictures are quite striking. You have strong compositions and your b&w conversion is remarkable. Man, look a those textures! I'd slightly crop the right side of your bike shot to get rid of the vignetting in the lower right corner and to loose the metal pole. (nice bike btw, we don't get to see Brodie's bikes that oftenly downthere).

About the first picture. I love the sky but the truck appears quite dark (which is most likely unavoidable due to the strong sunlight, you might wan't to try to dodge de midtone with the dodge tool set at arround 10%). Also, the said truck is just too centered to make the picture work as it should. Put the truck on the left side of the frame and you are in business. I'd also slightly crop the right side to loose the vignetting. Nevertheless, there is an interesting mood to your image. Perhaps because I am unfamiliar with these kind of places but I like what I am seeing.

Seb

[RoxyRNAB]

Your pictures remind me of steven king's book 'Desperation'! ~Laughs~

I think all three are very good.

[SMOKEYmtbr]

Excellent suggestions man! I really like the look of it now. That pole was distracting, notice I left just a tiny bit of the base of the pole, only because I just didn't want to loose all that space. I for some reason am obsessed with equal spacing. I don't know if thats good or bad? anyways It felt more balanced with that tiny little piece of pole left in the edited shot. I don't know, I guess I am worried that the pic will be too small.
Edit: Now that I look at it again it still is kinda distracting still...argg!

[jar_e]

Your bike lane shot is great! Very well composed and a nice, lovely black and white conversion! Greta to see some new faces on the boards! The textutre in that second is great, and a nice, symmetric feel of the handle bars!

Jared

[Herriot]

I don't think that I have a great deal more to add, the bike shot is superb!! Well done and look forward to seeing more of your work in future!

Herriot