New to photography-please help

[dreadrea]

I am currently new to photography and I want to get more into it. I love taking pictures whenever I can. The pictures I have where taken with my Pentax Optio 430S digital camera. I got it as a present and I think it is a ok camera. The road and spoon and cherry pictures where taken in minneapolis and the coaster was taken in florida. I am looking into getting a Canon SLR Rebel Ti camera for my upcoming trip to Japan. Please help critque my photos.....I need some help..Also, if you would comment should I buy the Rebel Ti or the Nikon N75...whatever is better for the beginner. Thanks for the advice in advance

[Chunk]

I am currently new to photography and I want to get more into it. I love taking pictures whenever I can. The pictures I have where taken with my Pentax Optio 430S digital camera. I got it as a present and I think it is a ok camera. The road and spoon and cherry pictures where taken in minneapolis and the coaster was taken in florida. I am looking into getting a Canon SLR Rebel Ti camera for my upcoming trip to Japan. Please help critque my photos.....I need some help..Also, if you would comment should I buy the Rebel Ti or the Nikon N75...whatever is better for the beginner. Thanks for the advice in advance

Well you've made a very strong start.
I really like the wide angle, low viewpoint feel of the spoon although it would be a bit stronger if the whole stem of the cherry were included. A small move to your right would block the tallest lightpole in the background, but I'm not sure the rest of the composition would still be as good. On this kind of shot, where you have a lot of time, set up the overall composition with the main subject and then take the time to look at what else is in the frame and around the edges. It's natural for the eye to concentrate on an interesting subject and ignore the mundane things around it, but the camera pays attention to EVERYTHING.
I think the coaster shot is just great.

[natatbeach]

the only things I notice and this is just my opinion is that all of your shots are creative and that you put effort into composing them....but "elements"(light poles, surroundings) keep the main subjects from being the focus...i think maybe tighter crops would be helpful... that's a beautiful sunset and I think experimenting with a few different crops of the spoon and cherry would be good too

the rollercoaster---GREAT timiing...maybe boost the contrast a bit to give it a full silhouette effective...the lightness takes away from it

Look forward to seeing more....

[gahspidy]

Welcome,
These are all pretty good, and seems you have a good eye for composition and a creative flair.I like the spoon and cherry shot but I think you need to catch the whole stem in the frame. Maybe a few feet furthur back would have done it. Also would be nicer if the bg were blurred out and telephone pole removed.
Natalie had a good suggestion about the rollercoaster shot. Try upping the contrast to silhouette the coaster more and the tree branches.
I like the sunset and the road .Seems you might be limited by the camera your using.
If your looking to get a film slr and plan on shooting with it for a long time, I would invest a little more and go with the Canon Elan 7( which is what I use ). This camera is relatively inexpensive now ( thanks to the digital boom) and offers a whole lot more features and quality than the others you mentioned. Mirror lock-up ( I use this feature quite alot ), Spot, center weighted, and evaluative metering, a superior auto focus than the rebel and n75 as well. If you don't know what these things are that I am mentioning, you will as you get more experienced and you will be very happy that you have them.
Hope to see more of your shots. . .

[mtbbrian]

I think the roller coaster shot is your best, with out a doubt. The framing and timing are good.
As far as camera's go. Go Nikon, you won't be disapointed..
Good Luck! And Keep reading and posting!
Brian

[berrywise]

I've always heard that inside the spoon is one of the most popular places for couples to umm yeah you know.

just a little background info to help everyone critique...uhh yeah that's it.