Looking to improve - don't know where to look!

[krissie_r]

I've been using my DSLR on and off now for about 6 months. It's a Canon 350D, and while I have a selection of lenses between 18 and 300MM (completely missing the 55mm to 80mm range), it does mean there are limitations on what I can produce in mind of what I consider to be an acceptable photo.

I've recently opened a flickr account to archive and show my work, and currently have about 80 shots loaded on it of a variety of subjects... it's easier than having a website of my own at this stage. I feel I have the basics pretty much covered, but I'd really like to take my photography a step further - I'm just not sure how. I think I there's a little dynamism missing from my shots - if not that, I'm not sure I can put my finger on it.

I'd really really appreciate it if people coulf take a look, tell me what they think, and offer me any advice on how I might improve and how I might be able to learn and take my photography up a level - It'd be impossible to pick a single image for this, as I'm really wondering what it is about my photography as a whole that needs improvement/where to look next. My flickr page is here.

[windrider86]

Welcome. I would start by posting one photo into the critique section. Here are the guidelines so you'll know what to include.

[crockny]

Yes, post a shot in the critique section and ask a specific question -- I looked at your photos and there are a number of things that could be improved ... for instance your bird photos are not even in focus ... there are specific techniques for taking wildlife shots - post some shots under "Critique My Shots - Wildlife" and ask some questions -- your other shots look like snapshots -- studying the main points of composition would help -- good luck!

[tyasa81]

#1 you dont need all focal length covered to produce aceptable photos
#2 it's good to have a concept before clicking the shutter
#3 dont post too many on flickr. especially on the same angle but different cars
#4 hdr is not an excuse to not learn how to see the light - take a look at your other landscape photos without the hdr... lots of black, contrasty light
#5 have fun!

[inkista]

Are you shooting RAW and what post-processing software are you using?

[karen_s]

I took a quick look at your Flickr and here are some of my thoughts ...

1. Learn to use the light. Almost every bird shot I looked at suffered from the same thing, a dark face looking away from the light. Their backs were better lit than their fronts and that usually doesn't hold a viewers attention. Faces tend to be better focal points and they tend to need nice light.

2. You have a decent eye for a newbie, you just need to develop it through practice and study. This is a wonderful book about composition that might give you more insight into the subject ...

Amazon.com: The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos (9780240809342): Michael Freeman: Books

3. Experiment more with angles and points of view. Outside of the low vantage point flower shots, most everything else seemed a typical view. It's not bad really, just not overly interesting since it looks like everybody else's view.

4. It doesn't look like you do much post processing. If you don't shoot RAW, look into it. Raw will give you some wonderful information to work with in post processing (PP). Learning about PP and how to use the software can help you add punch and mood to your images.

5. I agree, do post some images in the critique section. What you learn with one image can help you improve your overall skills.

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by krissie_r

I'd really like to take my photography a step further - I'm just not sure how. I think I there's a little dynamism missing from my shots - if not that, I'm not sure I can put my finger on it.

I'd really really appreciate it if people coulf take a look, tell me what they think, and offer me any advice on how I might improve and how I might be able to learn and take my photography up a level[/url].

Instead of asking other people to look at your photos, one of the best things you can do is look at other people's photos. As many as possible. The Internet is okay for this, especially if you find a few good flickr groups, butfind a good used book store, go there, and buy as many photo books as you can. I mean the ones that are about photos, not ones that are about making photos.

Look at photos, decide if they work for you or not, and decide why. Keep those things in mind when you make your own photos. Then look at yours and figure out if they work or not and why. Repeat.