my first photos

Hello to all, I've just recently joined this Forum and have spent the last few days finding my way around it, there are some truly wonderful photos here :thumbsup:
I shoot with an Olympus E520, that I've only had for about 2 months, prior to that I was using the Olympus 570UZ (which I still have) so using a DSLR is still quite new to me.

These photos were taken over the last few days and I would really appreciate some honest critique, thanks in advance.

Welcome, Annemaree!
I've learned more here in the last few years by getting involved in the critique forum, not only by having shots critiqued but by critiquing. Taught me to look at my own photos critically.

Flowers are much more difficult to shoot than one would think...its hard to get a new perspective.
Your first two are showing the sides of flowers and they are quite central in the frame.
This leaves them with nothing to pull my eye to them......they're there and that's it. The backgrounds are well out of focus but don't add to the pics especially in the second where it appears there is part of a wall on the left.
The third one has a more interesting angle but is shot in light that is too bright. Flowers and landscapes really do much much better with early morning or evening light when the light is softer. You also have petals leading off frame....a real bugaboo for me.
The fourth is my fav. I like the way the front flower is mirrored in a line by the its relatives.
The depth of field is good and the light appears to be softer. More like it was cloudy.
The last one is ok but its one of those pics that people look at once and never again.
The fourth one I've looked at several times.
Welcome again and sure hope to see more shots from you.
Join in the photo project forum fun. This months theme is emotions.

thankyou for your critique Frog, it is much appreciated and extremely helpful.

All these photos were taken in my garden and I do for the most part try to shoot early or late in the day.
The 'wall' in the 2nd photo is actually a piece of timber from an archway that leads down to the lower part of my garden, which was where the 3rd photo was taken, it is a groundcover plant that is spilling over a low rock wall, this photo was taken early just as the sun was 'hitting' the flower, I thought it would make an interesting shot as the sun was backlighting and shining through the thin petals of the flower.
I agree with you regarding the 4th photo, it is my favourite, just love these daisies, they are probably the most photographed of all the flowers I grow.

yes, the last photo is probably the least inspiring of them all, I was just excited at the fact that I got the bee in flight. LOL.