Noobie would like some feedback

[llewpics]

Hello everyone - I am new to the forum, and fairly new to digital photography. I really strive on feedback and pointers to send me in the right direction - I am attaching 2 photos - please comment on what I could / should do better ....thanks in advance!

[Anbesol]

Nice shots and colors. The thing I think could be most improved is the composition, as the 'subject' (or rather, lack thereof) is rather vague. I prefer the top myself. I think it could be improved by a higher perspective angled down, and a wider angle, if composed horizontally, could show the full stairway and the valley underneath the stairway, which could serve purpose as the subject. Whilst the trees and colors could compliment the subject very well. Great metering in a tricky scene, though the sky is a bit distracting in both. There really isn't a way to have that great metering with the sky properly exposed, so I think eliminating the sky in the composition altogether would help.

[Greg McCary]

I think I see where you were going with the first one, rays of light coming through the trees. Those are tough without some post processing. I do think you need a subject. The reflection in the second one could have worked if you could have done something creative.

[llewpics]

Thanks much for the feedback. In the first shot, it was the light that caught my eye - however, terrified as I was of loosing the light to a cloud, I did not take a long time to compose the image - which resulted in my adding many other components and keeping it all somewhat "cluttered". On the second, the subject was meant to be the "teapot" in the upper left, and its reflection in the water and on the ground - a triple showing of sorts - looking back, there were probably better ways to "compose" for that particular theme.

[LeeIs]

I like the quality of the first shot. Looks pretty prestine. The composition is a bit off for me though, with the staircase on the left being cut off and the black patch (rock) on the right side kinda being a little too much. The light / exposure are right on though. good job.