New to Forums/New to Photography!

[AshesToAsh's]

So, this photo (taken at Carpinteria Beach, CA) was probably the photo that finally made me say "Hey. I really like taking photos." Well, now that I have THAT covered, now I'm wondering if the photos I like taking are photos people like looking at.

Now. The editing that was done to this was when I was going through my edit wild phase where not a single photo I took got posted as it was shot, so that right of the bat I know is no good. AND it was taken with a 6 MP camera in my phone, so...yeah.

I guess I'm that needy newbie and need validation or a slap in the face.

I posted some artistic nudes I had taken in on a different site and felt that the responses were based more on the fact that I was naked than any actual helpful critiques or kudos.

So, anything, anyone has to say would be really great!

I guess I'm super lame...but I just want REAL (lol) photographers to look and say, "hey you've got an eye, but here are some helping tips." or "hey, stick to posting your photos on Facebook kid."

Thanks in advance!



-Ash

[silverbirch]

I'm an amateur (without the ability to SEE a shot I often think) however I like the tree and the way it is almost silhouetted above the beach. The beachball detracts from the natural beauty of the scene, and it if it is to be used for quirky reasons, I think needs to go to one side. Personally I'd leave it out and see what the shot looks like.

[shruggy63]

More people will comment on the picture if you can include the camera data. I'm not a real photographer but I like your image. The composition works nicely. The thing I don't like is that it's been a bit overworked in post production & has got a lot of digital noise in the sky. The graduated filter on the sky looks too dark at the top of the frame so you lose a lot of detail on the tree but it may just be my monitor, maybe others will verify that.
You could maybe crop a bit of the sand away at the bottom maybe, to bring the ball more to the fore. If you haven't already, I definitely think you should invest in a DSLR!

[Krusty79]

I think your composition is pretty good (I just would not cut off the top of the tree), but the juxtaposition of the beach ball and tree seems a little odd. Something like a tree branch instead of the beach ball would look more natural.

I agree the image looks overprocessed. It looks like a graduated neutral density filter effect was applied (too strongly IMO).

So, I think you have an eye for composition, but need to refine your technique and not use so much PP.