Rate my photos....?

Question

I've had 1 year experience with an OK digital consumer camera and are limited to my town, half-day trips to chicago and occasional vacations to tourist traps (disney, etc.) Keep in mind I'm no professional with tons of equipment and locations, but be constructive in judging me...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1273190345/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1273185625/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1273299784/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1273300412/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1273299076/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1273295064/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1273293962/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1272427847/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1272425293/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1272421995/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1272420265/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/1273283156/

out of space...

u know what, just go here and go through my photos...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12389378@N07/

also for future reference I know some aren't so good, just tell me which ones u think ARE good and the overall appeal of them (the good ones)

By the way, my camera's aperture works for crap (it doesn't actually do anything besides automatically adjust itself-it's widest stop is f/4) and I didn't even know I could change the speed at that time, plus if I did, that would have been the first time, anyway. And a lot of the angles aren't meant to be good. Some of the times I had only three seconds to think about the picture because I was tailing along with my mom and my older brother, who don't really like to look at things more closely. Also, some shots I did candid, without even looking. I was afraid that they might realize I was standing 4 feet in front of them holding a camera to their face.

So...yeah. The shots could be better...the only thing I've actually learned on photography is through a book, and I'm still confused a little (i thought aperature was for DOP now its for exposure w/ SP WHUHH?)

So thanks for your opinion, I'm gonna get a better camera soon regardless so that maybe some things will actually WORK....

Answer 1

The Sears Tower is a good one.

Actually too many at one time. Next time, limit yourself to posting 3 or 4. More than that and they all tend to blur together.

Keep shooting. Go to the library and see what photography magazines they carry, find one you really like, and subscribe to it. (My favorite is Shutterbug.) While at the library, check out a couple of books on photography.

Reading biographies or autobiographies of famous photographers can also be useful. It also makes us really really appreciate our modern cameras. Margaret Bourke-White, Walker Evans, Gordon Parks, Robert Capa, Dorothea Lange, Minor White, Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, W. Eugene Smith (if you can get through Smith's 'Minamata" and remain dry-eyed you're a hard individual). The landscape photography of David Muench is worth viewing.

Although "dated", one book you should look for and own is 'Object & Image: An Introduction To Photography, Third Edition' by George M. Craven. Read and then re-read Chapters 1, 2, 3. Read Chapters 5, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 18. The other chapters are about film and film processing.

Most of all, keep shooting.

Answer 2

First things first i'm no pro. But a lot of your pictures seem to be looking up at something. You need a better spot to take your pictures sometimes. The whale one with someone standing on him is fantastic, more like that. Good work though!

Answer 3

i think your photos are excellent!

the only thing i don't like, is the one with the car in it, it's not nice to put pics of people's cars with the license plate showing online!!!!

and i didn't like the rose one with the gray roses.. i think it would have been prettier with the actual colors of the roses..

but the other pictures are great! you definitely get around and see a ton of interesting things! and i love how you contrast everything! it makes it all look fabulous!



EDIT - to the first answerer.... i LOVE the ones looking up at things!! i like those the best as a matter of fact!! this photographer takes great pictures from great perspectives!!

Answer 4

I really like the ones of the Sears Towers and the Seal.

Most of them are cliche. I think you need more interesting composition, and possibly more of a specific focus. They're all kind of random. You need a theme or something.

What I'm trying to say I guess is, I don't feel like they're tied together to the same photographer. You need to develop a more unique style, but they are not bad.

Answer 5

i like your photos and am jealous that you have the time to do this...something i have always wanted to do.....i am thinking about taking a class this winter to start. i like the lighting in your pics...its great. they are clear and crisp. you have an eye for it and i hope you keep working at it till you find just what you are hoping to capture. it doesn't mater what we like it is what you are seeing thru your eyes. i find them interesting....i can see into your pictures and feel the heat of the day, or hear the noise from the elephant. keep it up you are doing great

Answer 6

you have some great shots.
some are "snap shotty"...not something youd see in a gallery.
you need to work on your color balancing, because most of them are way off balance.

i guess if everyone is mentioning the sears tower image i will say before i read the caption, i thought the building was on fire. kinda freaked me out for a second.

Answer 7

to be fair i didnt look at all of them.

the ones i looked at appeared to be too centered and a bit "snap shoty".

Study composition and depth of field et cetera
you have a passion so develop it with study and learning


EDIT: had a look at some more, one you had a comment "i wish it was brighter" - that is exposure, that needs to be learnt also, dont worry, people think its easy it is. Doing it well everytime isnt thatswhy some people study fulltime for years to learn how to always produce Pro results.

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Answer 8

a lot of them were really good. but a few looked like just regular pictures. No technique or anything. Like the one of the car or the dolphin. but the rest I think were really really good.

Answer 9

well i REaLLY liked the "Sears tower on a stormy day" and the black roses but it looks like shooting architechur ((buildings) ima bad speller) is mostly your "thing" the shamoo one was nice but it kinda looked like a good camera got lucky and snaped it at the right time but the rollercoasters looked like a myspace pic sorry =/

Answer 10

I really liked the broze sculpture...an interesting subject and great perspective.
Also the seal and the bird are excellent. Great job!