Looking for tech feedback

[Old Timer]

Just started using the D70 and I am looking for some tech feedback on this image one of the first with the new setup. Shoot with the kit lense 18-70mm at max tele. ISO 400 hand held at about 1/100 at f6.3. This is about a 50% crop. Would aprreciate feed back. Thanks

[Peter_AUS]

Not too shabby for first shot with new camea. I think you need to get some light into the flower to brighten it and some sadow to give the petals some depth as well. The back ground is a little distracting, I sat looking at the photo for a good minute thinking what is the background, trying to image it. So with that said, I suppose I lost concentration of the main theme of the image. It is very centred and has lots of distractions in it, the ackwardness of all the branches I think is what I mean as well.

Still first images with a new camera is a learning curve and only gets worse. Did you do any unsharpen masking at all post capture in photoshop.

[gahspidy]

I think you may be looking for specific tips and ideas for your new set up, and sorry I can't help with that as I'm not familiar with it. But my two cents is that its a nice image but does not look sharp as it should be, on my screen. I don't know if that may be the kit lens not being a high grade lens, but you might try shooting a similiar shot with a tripod and see how sharp you can get with the set up. A tripod and lower iso ( on a day with no wind, or inside with light from window)

[Old Timer]

Thanks to both you guys for your observations. This was pretty much a grab shot. I got the camera home after work and dashed outside between rain showers just to get to push the shutter release. Very overcast and I think you are both right that I lack some basic components in this image. Not as sharp as I would like so now I am on the lookout for a couple of lenses to perhaps change that situation. I do like to do closeup images and need to do something to improve them. Very limited experimenting with this new tool, but I think it will be a keeper. My biggest nit to this point is the 200 ISO as it's lowest image quality setting, hey but I knew that going in so I accept it and will work with it.

[Young Shooter]

this picture dosent do much for me uve seen my pics and u see what im into on that thanks for the help on the angles/composure of the other pics help me on that.