Beginner Pics - Total Newbie

[Caz]

Hi,

I thought I would post these pics up for some CC, taken with my Lumix DMC FZ5, I only ever take very basic point and shoot as I havent figured out the manual settings yet.:o

But these are the ones I like.

[Shaddsi]

Caz.. I like the third.. I will give you a little trick. Get down with the animal. that way you get a dogs eye view of your dog!

[d-Z1R3]

well to be honest, the first to are to clutered and distracting. theres no real focal point in the photo which just doesn't make the photo stand out.

the third photo is lackin in color si maybe try this as a color shot instead. but the idea is good, maybe try this shot again in portrait and like shaddsi said get the animals eyes in the shot too.

[Darvidanoar]

Ditto on the first 2.

The third has a lot of character. I actually think the angle suits what the photo says to me, which is something like: "I'm not fetching that" :) and I like the texture of the grass. The only think you might do is crop it a bit closer so your puppy isn't in the centre of the frame.

[Caz]

Thanks for those replies.
I took that pic in color, but it just looked better in black and white I thought.

So I shouldnt have the dog in the centre of the frame?

So much to learn... :D

[Darvidanoar]

So I shouldnt have the dog in the centre of the frame?
There is a composition technique called the "rule of thirds" which can help you to compose visually pleasing photos.
See: http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/rule-of-thirds/

[Caz]

Thanks for the link Darvidanoar, much appreciated. :)

[Dragonfly..shotz]

G'day Caz, I use a Lumix as well and you will get some great results with it. I like the pic of your pup as well and your choice of B&W.

[Caz]

Thanks Dragonfly...... I could stay on this forum all day,(in between studying lol) Im still looking through everyones pics, they are amazing. :)

[jurujoh]

The last is excellent, but can be improved with the good advice given by Shaddsi and Darvidanoar. I like it in mono and think it would be a lesser image in colour.

When i first looked at the first one, I thought messy, but something attracted me to it.The longer I looked the more it appealed to me. It has a good texture grading from softness in the background to harsher, stronger lines in the middle foreground which creates it's own focal point by drawing your eye to the centre of the photo.

Jules

[MistieWatters]

I actually like all three shots. I like the angle of your puppy shot, I like it in black and white. My only suggestion with it would be to up the brightness a touch so you get a little more contrast in it.