What do you think of these photos? Critique please?

Question:Mature opinions please.

I am entry level in photography, but I am working on enhancing my natural skills since I do not believe in photo editing.

Also, I do not own a macro lens yet... so the macro photos are with the kit lens as are the non macro ones.

Make sure you maximize the photo size... and yes, this is posted on my MySpace and Myspace does take some quality out when you upload.

http://a648.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...

http://a969.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...

Also, these are non-macro photos... its the other style of photo that I like to do... opinions please?

http://a665.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...

http://a772.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...

Which one/ones do you like more, and why...

or what could I do to improve?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Mature opinions please.

I am entry level in photography, but I am working on enhancing my natural skills since I do not believe in photo editing.

Also, I do not own a macro lens yet... so the macro photos are with the kit lens as are the non macro ones.

Make sure you maximize the photo size... and yes, this is posted on my MySpace and Myspace does take some quality out when you upload.

http://a648.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...

http://a969.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...

Also, these are non-macro photos... its the other style of photo that I like to do... opinions please?

http://a665.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...

http://a772.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...

Which one/ones do you like more, and why...

or what could I do to improve?

Your photography is good, no question. I'm going to ramble on about your fear of post-processing, though. Your "natural skills" will remain the most important factor, as you can't start with junk and end with a gem, but even the BEST digital photography needs some help to maximize the quality of the image.

Here is my stock answer on the subject. It's not what you asked, but it should be addressed early in your adventure into photography.

I could be [whatever] and say that – by definition – "photographers" do not clean up images. They use the camera to capture images. A LOT of "legitimate" photographers do accomplish what you are seeing in the camera. I'd be foolish to say that nobody does any work in Photoshop or it's kind to enhance the final image, as many do. Even "legitimate" photographers may make some small adjustments to compensate for the inability to capture exactly what they want.

Even the best sensors with the cleanest pixels can benefit from some sharpening. DSLR's are softer than they could be and allow in-camera sharpening. Some photographers increase that setting and leave it as their default. I'm just as happy to do the final tweak on the computer, when I think it is a desirable improvement. This leaves the option of not having a sharpened image.

Viewing an image on a monitor is somewhat like viewing a transparency, also. The monitor is a light source so things will appear brighter. A print uses reflected light, so it might not be as bright. This is one reason why the prints you have seen in photo books don't "pop" quite as much as those that you view on a monitor. When I want to get a print of a slide, I do NOT view the slide on a light box or projected. I hold it over a piece of white paper and view it with light reflected off of that paper. This gives you a better idea of how it will looked when printed.

There may be some debate about whether "real" photographers alter images or not and I'd rather not go there. I'd rather just see someone admit when they couldn't get what they wanted and let the world accept that.

Check this out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstei...

This is actually two "untouched" images merged into one. You just can't get the leaves, which are about 8-10 feet away, and the moon in sharp focus at the same time. I took two shots from almost the same spot, using a tripod, and combined what I needed from each image to come up with the final product. I dropped the sharp image of the moon right where the blurry one was in the shot of the leaves.

In fact, here you go. I just went through and added a "NoPhotoshop" tag to the appropriate images on my Flickr site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstei... When I say, "NoPhotoshop," I admit that up to 50% sharpening has been allowed for this tag, but I have done no sharpening in the camera. If I altered levels, contrast or saturation, that disqualified the image from this tag. If I cropped an image, or if I cloned out dust or fingerprints from a scan, I did not consider that to be "alteration" in Photoshop and left it in the group. Some are very boring snapshots, but some are images that I am proud to show.

The flower ones are lovely. However, they're pretty "flat" and you need to do some adjustments, I think, in your program.

What I mean is that these photos look like, had they been taken with a film camera, the film was fogged.

they seem a little fuzzy and the focus could be a little sharper on the first set but they are very good over all i like the third one the best keep up the good work

they are ok
its like "oh flowers nice... so anyway im hungery lets go..."
but this is a good starting point it seems like u have the rule of thirds under your belt which is more then i can say for lots of people i liked the 3rd one maybe look for other things to take photos of if u dont "believe" in editing then MAKE people look at the photos they will not see your skills if they dont take the time to look at the picture

Wow I like what I see just the way they are. I too don't like to adjust the photos on the computer after I take them - it seems like ruining a good thing! But yes I understand that you make it better too, but I just don't do it if I don't really have too that is all.

I would like to know what font you are using on your name...I like how it looks, very professional, simple - yet elegant and easy to read. How do you put it there too please - if you don't mind! You can email me the details if you could please...haynoats@telus.net.

There is also a great place for you to enter your photos in a contest on the National Geographic web page here is the link http://photoclub.canadiangeographic.ca/c... There is a specific contest at the moment for flowers which I think you should submit these too!

Good luck and enjoy!

I really like the last two! The tree and flowers is just original and the gate can symbolize a road and challenges.

I love the third one! It's gorgeous. The flower pictures are pretty...but not as creative. You know?

u definately have an eye for good photos, though these are a bit boring. The colors are kind of bland, if you're using a dslr then turn on the vivid setting. Also to get better colors shoot early in the morning (befor 10) and right wen the sun is setting (after 3-5) for better light to enhance the colors. Also for the one with a bunch of flowers with the tree in the background (which is beautiful btw) i think it wud be better if there was a slightly higher depth of field to keep those very front flowers in focus. To get more constructive criticism on ur shots join flick and join a comment group such as "life thru a lenz." Good lluck with ur photography!

I like the last one best, it has more of a sense of depth and a real mood about it. The composition is good in all of them though the 2nd one is a bit uninteresting, a different angle might have shown of the blossom better.

If you don't like post processing then you should look at adding a couple of filters to your kit, a polarizing filter (enhances cloud/colours and reduces glare and reflections. A graduated ND filter to balance out exposure in high contrast situations like sunsets.

its really nice pics u got there. n sorry i cant give much of a feedback on them cuz im still a learning photographer myself

I think you misunderstand post production. By nature of digital certain enhancements are necessary to bring an image to it's peak. Personally, I am fond of the high pass filter overlay. I think it takes the "flatness" out that people are noticing here.

ie: http://www.flickr.com/photos/perki88/233...