just starting out in photography, do you think i have what it takes?

[rkcphotography]

Hey guys, this is my first post.. I just wanted some feedback on if i have what it takes to actually be a decent photographer. these are a few pics i have that kind of show my range. im not sure where i fit in yet but any feedback or tips would be awesome! thanks!

[Mad Aussie]

Well you seem to have a few skills in processing already. I wonder what you definition of 'just starting out' is?

I don't think I can answer your question based on just these 4 photos. At least it would be unfair to try I think.

I can see some improvements that could be made but 4 photos are a bit much to critique in one thread. We usually prefer only 1 or 2. You'll usually get better advice that way.

Here's a very quick go ...

Shot 1 ... very nice black and white in terms of the contrast. The composition/crop could be better I think. Her knee is way too close to the border for my liking. I'd have cropped something like half the hay bail and left plenty of negative space in the direction the girl is looking. It would make us wonder what she's looking at AND our eye would be able to follow her stare a little.

Shot 2 ... not sure what the intention was on this one. It doesn't appeal to me personally. The colours just look odd. It's also over-exposed in crucial places. I think the composition should have also included the right corner of the water, rather than cutting it off.

Shot 3 ... Almost black and white again, this one is a good composition in my opinion. I think a bit of fill light (from a flash or reflector) would have helped reduce those shadows around the horses eyes and under the hat. Good strong contrast.

Shot 4 ... Looks like you've gone for an 'old photo' feel and I think it's worked fairly well. Not sure the vignetting is necessary but I'm sure it works for others who look at this. Composition is good.

Welcome to the forums ... hope you hang around

[Iguanasan]

Welcome to photography.ca, Renee. Mad Aussie, I think, critiqued these images quite well. I'm going say that I rather like number two but maybe it's mostly because I don't really have any mountains around here and I just enjoy looking at them. I find the post-processing a little heavy though, I would prefer to see the natural beauty of the scene shine through.

If you are passionate about photography and are open to the advice some of the photographers around this forum can provide then I'm sure you'll "have what it takes" to be a decent photographer. As MA said, it's hard to say from only four shots but to me these 4 shots tell me you have a fairly decent eye for a nice image but you need a little help with some technical details and some work in the composition arena.

Cheers and welcome to the forum!

[mellowinman]

I can definitely tell you that you have what it takes.

You have an eye, a camera, and a desire to take pictures.

That is exactly what it takes.

[Mad Aussie]

I can definitely tell you that you have what it takes.

You have an eye, a camera, and a desire to take pictures.

That is exactly what it takes.

I like that.

Except you also need talent ... or be able to 'develop' it.