Nature Shots ;

[ohaijae]

I love taking nature shots - as it seems as though I can't take portraits to save my life. Although, I feel as thought even my nature (skies, flowers, trees, mountains - etc) shots are a little rough yet.
I was just wondering how I could go about bettering my work :)
So below I have included some of my most recent pictures; with my new camera which I haven't fully figured out yet. Apologies if the pictures are too large.
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo208/Jaee-xo/Photos/newcamera010.jpg
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo208/Jaee-xo/Photos/newcamera008edit.jpg

I may add a few more later :)
Thanks everyone, in advance.

[ohaijae]

Apologies for the pictures being so large - how could I fix that?

[Marko]

hey jae,

Just so you know...getting great takes a long time but getting good just takes practice.
I'd say - first off, learn the basics of exposure, lighting and composition. There's lots of stuff to help you on this site and other sites.

In terms of these pix - shot 1 has a dramatic sky and a very dark foreground. Ask yourself why you took the shot? what appealed to you?
Shot 2 has a really lovely sky and a tree next to it. Again why did you take the shot? What appealed to you?

I much prefer shot 2. which one do you prefer?

In terms of showing pix on this site, you can upload shots directly that are 275k or less without compression.

These shots are from photobucket though so they are large because they are large on Photobucket. If they were small on photobucket and you 'called' them via a link they would be small here as well.

Hope that makes sense and welcome again,

marko

[Richard]

hi Jae,

Marko gives a good critique here, so Ii'll try not to repeat to much.

Keep practising, learn your camera, Once you get comfortable with your gear you might benefit in getting some better software than Windows photoviewer, the canon stuff that came with your T1i might be better or there are programs like gimp and photoshop.

[ohaijae]

thanks for the criticism :)
I will try all of that -
It honestly helps out a lot.

[ohaijae]

Richard,
I've been meaning to figure out the software which came with the camera, but I havent had time and have only had it a week - but if you recommend it - I shall install it now :)

[Marko]

Forgot something....read the manual - SO important and so few photographers do it.
Here's 2 podcasts that you also may find useful.

61 – What makes a Photo Great | Photography podcast - photography blog - Photography.ca (http://www.photography.ca/blog/2009/02/09/61-what-makes-a-photo-great/)
73 – Landscape photography tips – improving boring landscapes | Photography podcast - photography blog - Photography.ca (http://www.photography.ca/blog/2009/10/23/73-landscape-photography-tips-improving-boring-landscapes/)

best!
Marko

[ohaijae]

I have read the past week reading the manual, backwards and forwards :P

I will check the podcasts out :)

[Iguanasan]

Richard,
I've been meaning to figure out the software which came with the camera, but I havent had time and have only had it a week - but if you recommend it - I shall install it now :)

Everyone has their preferences but for ease of use for a beginning photographer you really can't go wrong with Google's Picasa - Picasa 3: Free download from Google (http://google.com/picasa) which is free.

[Mad Aussie]

I thought I might add that although you have a lot to learn yet, I do see a load of potential in terms of composition in both of those photos. You seem to show great promise of having a 'good eye.'

[ohaijae]

Thank you Mad Aussie.
I'll be taking the advice of you, and everyone else here :)

If anyone knows of any other online tutorials, or pages or something along those lines which would help me - it'd honestly be amazing if You could link them
(:

Thanks everyone