(Amateur) 4th of July Photos

Alright, chances are you'll think my photos suck for the following reasons:

1.) I'm a newbie to photography
2.) I'm only 15½
3.) I just suck. :)

But I would really like to have you guys critique/rate/provide constructive criticism to my photos so I could improve. I intend on taking a photo class next year (11th) anyway, and I would like to have a headstart. By the way, I'm only using a 3.2 MP Olympus D-540.

Thank you in advance, ladies & fellas. :D



El Perro (the dog):

http://img2.exs.cx/img2/4091/BryanOnTheGrass.jpg
The quality on this one sucks for some reason.


http://img14.exs.cx/img14/3130/Bryandrinkingwater.jpg


http://img14.exs.cx/img14/5834/BryanSun.jpg


My backyard (view):

http://img2.exs.cx/img2/6412/Backyard004.jpg


http://img2.exs.cx/img2/3439/Flower.jpg
Some pretty-lookin' flower that caught my eye.


http://img36.exs.cx/img36/8479/Viewfromback.jpg
(Taken on July 3rd). The sky was freakishly pink, and since pink is my favorite color i decided to whip out the camera and shoot this one.


http://img14.exs.cx/img14/9082/AnotherBackyardView.jpg
(Taken on July 4th)


Fireworks:

These fireworks were WAY FAR from my backyard, so I had to zoom in so much that it reduced the quality.

They both came out as mess-ups obviously, but i decided to post them anyway because i thought they appeared to be pretty interesting.


http://img18.exs.cx/img18/2163/purplefireworks.jpg
in this one, you can see the firework (the purple streaks) shoot it's way up higher towards the sky right before "exploding".


http://img18.exs.cx/img18/8364/trippyredfireworks.jpg
i messed up in this one since my hands weren't completely still when the picture was taken. the red "fireball" apparently was the firework, and the remaining lights (below) were just the lights of the houses below.

the first and the fireworks are the only ones that are less than desirable!

in the first your shutter speed was too slow or you shake alot......


AND

LONG EXPOSURES as you needed for the firework DEMAND a tripod or some sort of solid support to get sharp images

my only suggest besides the above mentioned is to het to your subject's eye level(or level of your subject). a downward angle ISN'T WRONG, but a straight on shot is more pleasing to the eyes ;)

KEEP SHOOTING!!!!!!!! the more you shoot the better you WILL SHOOT :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paulnj

the first and the fireworks are the only ones that are less than desirable!

in the first your shutter speed was too slow or you shake alot......


AND

LONG EXPOSURES as you needed for the firework DEMAND a tripod or some sort of solid support to get sharp images

my only suggest besides the above mentioned is to het to your subject's eye level(or level of your subject). a downward angle ISN'T WRONG, but a straight on shot is more pleasing to the eyes ;)

KEEP SHOOTING!!!!!!!! the more you shoot the better you WILL SHOOT :D

---

Yes, for fireworks you do need stability - I shot a bunch of fireworks and had to use the end of a diving board for stability (especially since I had a few too many drinks!) but I had some great and some really wierd looking blips in a blob. It just takes practice and learning composition - and using the natural light to your advantage - that is something I worked on. A freind of mine is obsessed with infrared photography, but she had to do it for a year before she became extremely pleased with it (and not many place develop so you need to learn to do it yourself to produce your disired results). Funny thing is, she can't do digital photography to save her life! lol I like the shot of the German Shephard - play with angles and light - remember to try to avoid backlight or the image turns out black, and if you have too much light from the side you can get a red haze.

I'm a newbie too. Only been shooting for about 6 months now. If there's one thing I hear from every photographer I talk to is that inorder to become good you just have to keep shooting. Always have your camera close by for those unexpected photo oppurtunities. Here's a link to a portfolio I have at photo.net. Feel free to tell me what you think. Just remember that good photos come with experience. By the way, I love your shots of the sun set...or is it sun rise :)
http://www.photo.net/photodb/member-...user_id=992767

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tubaman2010

inorder to become good you just have to keep shooting

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Yes. Like Paul says, you will improve the more you shoot. And posting here (actually the Critique board) is a great place to get other people's opinions on if what you're doing is working. Sometimes stuff I shoot I think is pretty cool, but no one else does. I give it a little time and then see what they're talking about. Other stuff just grows on you. Hard to explain.

It's also good to take a class or get a book - or both. Got a local camera club? Go to art museums. Look critically at photography in magazines. It all helps.

Tubaman, you have some unique shots. Most people - especially (self-described) newbies wouldn't crop like that, it's usually the other problem. I like that, it's a good thing. Do something different.

Only 6 months? I don't believe it, these are too good :)

Hey Radical -

Stick with us, we'll get ya goin' :)

I agree with what everyone else has said. I think your 3rd one of the dog is yoru best. Your lightening there is strongest. Also, your July 4th sunset is nice. I think you've got an eye, just keep shooting (easy because you're digi) and you'll pull through just fine. Visit the critique board here to get more inspiration and pick up a photography book from the local library to learn about composition, rule of thirds, shutter speeds, etc, when you are ready.

Off to a great start!

Rick