I just set up a flickr account with some pictures I was hoping I could get critiques on. I am hoping for some good advice on how to improve so please rip it apart if you find the need to. I'll post a few of the photos from my account but there are probably four more on the account I would like critiques on as well.

Flickr Account

Is no one interested in ripping apart a newbie's photos? I am really interested in progressing in my ability so any advice would be highly appreciated.

OK, my 2-cents:

#1 - I'd remove the hand in the lower right hand corner.

#2 - The child's face appears burred at the edge, at least to me - I assume you applied some sort of gradient as it is visible at the left and not on the right? Not really fond of that - I think I'd prefer to soften the image around the border.

#3 - no opinion

#4 - I like their spontaneity - IMO his hair does not do anything for the image but that's my hang-up.

Bob

Thanks Bob for the comments. I certainly agree with you on the hand, I had removed it in another version but I liked this version better just forgot the hand. I also agree about the hair, he had also not shaved and she had no makeup on but I couldn't anything about that.

No gradient on the pic #2, just texturing.

1. Nice capture of emotion. We all agree about the hand. Maybe a bit dark?
2. Again, nice composition. I'm sure the mother will be happy.
3. Cute kids. You really have this capture of expressions down.
Background doesnt do anything for me; looks like a junior police line-up, except for the smiles. I'm not too keen on the parents arms coming in, but the symmetry makes up for this.
4. Guess we all have bad hair days. Nice caputre.

Thanks for the comments sbeme.

Okay, here's my two cents:

Becca - not a good shot, finger in her eye and hand in botton right of frame detract. Cute kid, but you can do better.

Mom & Daughter - Don't like the texturing, don't like the lip-to-lip kiss, a little disturbing, back light doesn't help, composition could be better, maybe better if it were shot more from the mother's POV.

Hildebrand - probably the best of the lot... However, adults on each side of the kids creates a goal-post composition, that's not very strong. I like the background and I like the chain of hand-holding between the adults and the kids.

Brown - Composition is okay, dudes hair way too much (Ryan Seacrest), distracting.

What appears to be your strength is the ability to capture emotion and spontaneity. You seem to connect with your subjects and they respond for the camera. Keep pursuing that avenue!

good luck,
Denny
www.dennythurston.com