New Member with Eager Ear for Criticism

[frmntx]

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I would like someone's input other than my wife and mom. I think I remember something about them having to say they like them. lol.
All of these photos were taken with my present equipment, and had minimal amount of correction in Elements 5. I new to the "Elements" aspect of this and am not very confident in that part yet.
Thanks for your time,
Charlie
P.S. - I'm sorry I loaded all these on the same thread. I read the instructions for the thread too late. It will not happen again.

[Frog]

Yes! Each has its strong and weak points. I do wish we could delete our own posts sometimes so we could correct errors.
Of the four, I like the last best. 3 has background problems as does 2 in which the subject blends in with the background. 1 is ok but pelican beak disappearing into grass distracts my eyes.

[MarcusK]

Welcome aboard....

1- Pelican beak into he grass is distracting, and takes away rather than add to the picture... Now someone from the wildlife section might have better input regarding the first 3... there is something i feel is wrong with the overall contrast or color tone but i can't really say what so that is something i will leave for others of they agree....

2- As a quick grab shot, is pretty good. But i agree there is the feel of blending with the background... But the expression is goof i like it....

3- I like this one the best among the 1st three, because of composition, and moment... I don't think there was anything that could be done about the bg, although it is a wee bit distracting... But overall i think it is a very nive capture...

4- I don't know what you call it? so i can not really judge it... but In any case, it has a nice composition, nice colors.... the only issue i have of it, is i don't realy know where to place the image... and that gives me th feeling that it is incomplete (dunno if i am making sense here).... But is a nice capture nonetheless...

Hope this helps, looking forward to more posts...

Cheers
Marc

[Greg McCary]

Three and four are the best, but I would invest in a polarizer to help with the glare. Also try not to center your horizon quite so much. Knowing the rule of thirds will help you on your composition.
Greg

[Tyson L. Sparks]

Three and four are the best, but I would invest in a polarizer to help with the glare. Also try not to center your horizon quite so much. Knowing the rule of thirds will help you on your composition.
Greg

I agree on the Polarizer. I think the Pelican beak in the grss is ok, to say it is a distraction is a tab bit too strong.
wild life,,,,,wild life,,,,,sometimes you can't change the background.
I think you did great I like #2 the best.

[GB1]

Welcome. Not sure if you really need to load them separately as long as they are part of a series.

Anyway,

1 - I agree that the grass blockage isn't the best. It is really a fairly pedestrian shot regardless.. OK but really not artistic.

2 - Great capture, IMO. It shows the power of the guy.The composition could be better however - legs cut off, etc. I luv the DOF you used, sort of isolates him.

3 - Excellant capture. Good sharpness overall. Good DOF. Could try sharpening it up even more in PS or related. Looks like a fighter jet, or a glider.

4 - Ok but missing a subject. I dont like the overall composition. I would trim off a lot of the sky so that it's weighted more. I just wish there was an anchored boat somewhere in the shot, chilling out,...

Hope to see more -

GB

[payn817]

#3 is just about there, perhaps dodge the eye a bit. It is certainly sharp, but when photographing white birds try using - exp. compensation then bring up the shadows in post. That will avoid the blown out wings. It isn't horrible, but something to think of in the future.

#2 the background is rough for this one. Furthermore, you never really see these guys doing this in the wild. My suggestion is a shallow DOF, and wait for a more natural scene. It seems as though this may have been taken around noon, you can try to boost the shadow to overcome a little of the harsh light.

#1 Just really needs a little more space. I don't mind the beak, it happens. However, the highlights are blown and it seems a little on the murky side. In this case, try spot metering off the grass, lock exposure then recompose and shoot the same scene. Water is highly reflective and seems to have effected your exposure.

I think you've done well for the most part, just some extra little things could help. We do have a nature and wildlife forum in which we discuss techniques, and post only nature photos. You should check it out, and welcome to the community.