[Digital]

I was into web design for a while now but started being interested in photography recently as well. Anyway I am thinking to start doing photogaphy and learning more about professionalizm in photography. So looking forward any help, suggestion, tips, etc...

We just got a good professional camera so I am trying to learn how to make good pictures, while we went to Tahoe on vacation I made a few pictures so will post links, let me know what you think. I will also be making an online portfolio later when I have more time and taking some more pictures.

Here are some of the pictures:

[Limbo]

No offence but they don't do a thing for me - they look like holiday snaps + you've added a rather tacky looking watermark too?

If I were you I'd pick up a book or two about Magnum landscapes - It's great to have enthusiasm but another ball game to be able to handle a camera.

Keep at it.

[cocknose]

if you are goin to take shots with alot of sky.... try and make the sky more interesting!!!! layers of clouds, good contrast, sunset/rise, shapes, the list goes on.... bit dull really

[Digital]

Originally Posted by Limbo

No offence but they don't do a thing for me - they look like holiday snaps + you've added a rather tacky looking watermark too?

If I were you I'd pick up a book or two about Magnum landscapes - It's great to have enthusiasm but another ball game to be able to handle a camera.

Keep at it.

Well they are not professional, but I think at least 2 and 4 are rather good photographs, don't you?

What do you mean by tacky looking watermark?

I will consider a book both on using the camera to adjust it for effects and the concepts of photography as well.

[Digital]

Also to be honest I didn't really spend time to find good places and try to make best photographs... We were just on vacation and I was taking some pictures, I liked those pictures so thought I'd post them.

As far as books which once would you recommend?

[steveb]

Pretty holiday snaps you have there, but they have little to do with professionalism... which you already know.
See if you can get your hands on Time-Life's series on Photography. Each book deals with one aspect of the subject, very thoroughly. You might be able to pick the books up in a used-book store...
John Hedgecoe's books are fairly comprehensive and understandable too.
You probably could use an art course too, on classical subjects. The better you understand other images, the better you'll be able to create them yourself.
Anyway, photography is a lot of fun whether you do it professionally or not - if you know what it's about.

[Digital]

steveb:

Yeah, I uderstand that this is not professional photography and neither claim it to be, just good pictures and perhaps a start towards photography. I want to go out and actually try to make good photographs, these pictures when I was taking them I wasn't really thinking about professionalizm and all the things to consider, neither did I experiment much or look for special places, just took pictures where we went on vacation.

Also I am thinking of learning to take pictures of girls/models... So will have to find someone to practice on, perhaps someone who is also trying to make a portfolio or something.

Thanks for suggestions and comments.

[ChrisDN]

That third picture clearly has a UFO in it. Forward it to NASA.

[Digital]

Ha ha... Thats a bird (hopefully).

[Mirko]

That third picture clearly has a UFO in it. Forward it to NASA.

sssshh.... don't tell

[steveb]

I FireFox Stumbled (TM) across this site this morning and I think it's got some useful advice for novices. If you want to know more about a topic, you can always use the google, now that you know the relevant keywords.

http://www.geofflawrence.com/index.htm

[sushil]

this very good thing your intrest in photography . so first of all u should search professional photos on the search engine . after than u get find professional photos. and i want to tell you,your photos is not looking professional....so plz improve

good luck

[cocknose]

doesn't anyone read books in a library anymore?...

[Larixk]

don't you have a tutorial on how to use a library?

[thetarget]

first picture:
I cannot see what is the subject here, the bird, or the scenery. The mount at the background is not well composed, try using the one-third rule. And the background looks OOF enough, try closing the aperture, or increase the F-value

2nd picture:
Almost got it, rule of triangles here. But it is tilted and the background is too distracting, cars etc. work on it.

3rd picture:
same as the first

4th:
it is a nice picture here, i like it most. Can be better, you can try other type of orientation, or compose it another way.

5th:
Direct flash used? Remember, do NOT shoot flash directly on your subject, especially if your flash is the primary light source. It will cause a very irritating shadow behind, and on the subject itself.
You tried to place the subject at the centre, but it seems it didnt work out. The picture is tilted. Try close up on the subject, tell the audience what you are trying to convey. Using portrait, shoot from bottom.

No offense, but i think you couldn't be a professinoal photographer, or simply can't take photography as a profession yet. It is a harsh world out here too. Read, experiment, read, experiment.

[seen.to]

A good camera doesn't make you a photographer. Sorry but those are shit. Are you scared of the ground? Way too much un-interesting sky in there and with your upward angles and lack of ground the photos seem incomplete. You need to think more about composition. The shots may be interesting to you as they have memories but to anyone else they are likely just boring snapshots.

[Digital]

thetarget,
Thanks for the suggestions and comments. I know, I will try to read and learn more, I never said that I am a professional in photography.

seen.to,
You should read what the original poster wrote before replying, I never said I am a professional photographer and don't make stupid comments, also choose your words, I dont like to read trash like that.

[illvibe]

If you're not trying to be professional, I think having an 'NLD Photography' watermark (which is quite ugly btw), is perhaps misleading.

[seen.to]

Originally Posted by Digital

seen.to,
You should read what the original poster wrote before replying, I never said I am a professional photographer and don't make stupid comments, also choose your words, I dont like to read trash like that.

Err, you are the original poster. I didn't make stupid comments I offered some constructive criticism -

Originally Posted by seen.to

...way too much sky...upward angle and lack of ground makes the photograph seem incomplete...think more about composition...interesting...memories...snapshots.. .

- if you aren't up for critique then don't post asking for it. I didn't once suggest that you were a professional photographer or that you claimed to be so. Choose my words? Nah, you're not worth the effort.

Keep doing exactly what you are doing as you are clearly happy with your shots and photography has nothing to do with sharing your images for the enjoyment of others.

[Digital]

Originally Posted by illvibe

If you're not trying to be professional, I think having an 'NLD Photography' watermark (which is quite ugly btw), is perhaps misleading.

I am thinking to learn professional photography, however it will be more like a hobby for the most part and maybe an extra income on the side. NLD is the name of my company which stands for New Level Designs, like I said I am mainly into web design and computer technology, photography would be just something Id like to learn and try out. I made the watermark in several minutes in Photoshop just to havea watermark, so it is not final but I like it, why exactly do you not like about it?