New to photography, please be gentle!

[Jeff685]

I just got a camera a few days ago, and these are the first pictures I've taken with it, and I'd appreciate some critique and advice, thanks Photoshop used on some pictures, nothing dramatic, just a few tweaks and changes, and borders added.

[MB1]

From the top;

#1 I think it is too dark-the areas that I suspect should be white are grey. Also I think I would like to see the top of the jukebox (If you are new here you have no idea how rare it is for me to suggest less cropping).

#2 I like this one but I would like to see a big time crop from both sides and the top so the figurine takes up almost all of the image.

#3 I like this one too but I want a crop off the top to get rid of all that light area and perhaps make the whole image just a tad lighter.

#4 No comment (just not my cup of tea).

#5 I like this idea and image a lot but perhaps a black background and a sharper focus on the figurine.

Overall, I like them but I like the figurine images the best.

[Frog]

A rare moment in history! I agree with MB1 on all of them.
If these are your first photos, they are amazingly good.

[GB1]

They're all quite decent, esp for someone new at photography. # 3 is very good, IMO. # 2 is clipped off at the base, but otherwise they're decent shots.

One thing that strikes me about all of them is how they seem to be showing off artwork. Are you gearing up to be an art photographer? They seem very businesslike and documentary. That's just the style they seem to portray. Maybe the borders also contribute to that impression.

GB

[Jeff685]

Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it! Oh and GB1, I'm not gearing up to be anything lol, I'm 16 and I have no idea what I want to do, but I must admit, for only having the camera for one week, I'm loving it, although I think if anything, I enjoy the editing side of it more at the minute. I've had Photoshop for a few months now and most of my time at home now is consumed by it. Thanks again for the critiques, I'll keep your advice in mind next time.

[MB1]

I've thought some more about your flower/vase picture. I've decided it is not very good (sorry about that). I'll tell you what is wrong with it and how to improve this sort of photo in the future.....

First problem is that your primary light source was a flash and the flash created harsh shadows on the background that was too close to the vase/flowers. In the future just use a diffused (think kleenex over the flash unit) flash for fill and have some other light for your primary source.

Second the background is not level (even though the vase and flowers are). If you had a solid background the level wouldn't be an issue but those white parts (is that a picture frame?) of the background are really distracting and make the image look crooked. So in the future pay as much attention to the background as the foreground. FWIW photographers who enjoy shooting florals often carry sheets of paper or fabric to solve the background issues (and a little spray bottle for that "fresh dew" look).

Third there is a single yellow bulb trailing off to the right of the flowers that looks out of place with the rest of the flowers. Don't hesitate to trim the display before shooting to get everying just right.

What I do like about the image as you shot it is the colors and the vase. Specifically I like the way the vase has more than just green foliage in it, there is both yellow and green (even better would have been a touch of orange in there too so that all the floral colors were reflected in the vase).

Floral images are all about the details. The little things all add up.

MB1
Yes I shoot florals....