One of my first pic's

[suzannebe]

Hi, just discovered this forum while browsing for photo tips, its fantastic, I got my 1st ever dslr for xmas, and I took my 1st photo's today, not too sure what I am doing but hopefully reading this fourm will be a great help

Thanks

S.

[clockdoc]

Hi Suzanne and welcome to the group. I would encourage you to set up a flickr free account for posting your images for critique. Look for the "Sticky" at the beginning of the Critique forum for more details. The larger image on the critique page makes for easy reference. Having to click on the thumbnail can cause what may have already been typed to be lost transitioning back and forth.
I suspect you were struck my the majesty of the moment and hope to capture it with your camera. Because you are dealing with an extreme of tonal ranges, it is diffucult to get detail in both the highlight and shadow areas. My eye is quickly drawn to the bright upper left hand corner but it lacks sufficient detail and interest to keep me in the frame. Please tell us a litle more about your new camera and lens kit. I look forward to seeing more of your work as I feel you have a good eye for composition. Again, welcome to the group.

[Iman_D80]

Composition is great. Manual exposure and spot metering comes to play in scenes like this. What was the metering mode on your camera?
Congratulation on your first DSLR!

[suzannebe]

Hi,

Thanks for answering my post, I thought no one would as my picture is so amateur compared to the fantastic work n here, the more I read the more I realize I don't know !! I have just got my flickr account going,

My granddad was a professional photographer and I realize now I should have listened to him yrs ago, he has passed away now and I am hoping that its in my genes somewhere lol....

My kit is very basic , I have only had it 3 days.... Nikon d40x with standard 18-55 lens.... the manual is like double dutch to me, but I'll keep trying

Thanks again for the help , I took this yesterday while out on my 1st photo shoot lol.... it was in a very scenic graveyard in ireland,

[jiminyClickit]

suzannebe, Welcome

Flickr will make your DPS stay so much more pleasant. Data from your camera will appear there right of your photo under "More properties" in blue. If you can add some things to your posts (camera model, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, lens equivalent, flash/no flash, time of day) it helps individuals to critique more effectively.

First post is overexposed; settings would help explain how that happened. Seeing that sunshine effect shows a good instinct (genetic or otherwise).

Second post above has some subtle good stuff in the center right 2/3 area. Tree branches (if sharper) would be a good frame for water and hills. Not so much with the bush/weeds in front. A lot goes on in those few seconds before the shutter is tripped.

Had you stepped forward and zoomed a little, photo might be simpler, with detail showing the source (stream?) in the meeting of the hills. Just experimenting can teach you a lot about framing and settings that give you better results.

Hope you can get much more critique and that it helps you along with the manual.

[clockdoc]

Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for posting the larger images as they are much easier to work with. I also took a look at your flickr album. I think you are off to a great start with your first dSLR. I agree that the manuals can be very difficult to work with, particularly if you are new to the field. I learned, from looking at the "properties" posted with your flickr image that you are using a Mac. What post processing software are you using? This image was shot at the 26mm focal length. You also used the Ladscape mode with tends to set focus on distant subjects, hence the softness of the trees closer to the camera. You may want to experiment with manual focus.
As for your subject matter, perhaps it was the graveyard setting, but it is my perception you favor shooting more dramatic, mood-evoking scene. You have some nice work in your first 6 images.
Please tell me a little more about your photographic experience prior to getting your first dSLR. I'll be happy to help in any way I can. Keep shooting!