My first submission - I would love critique and comments. :) Thanks!

[ShortAndSnappy]

Hi CiC!

My name's Sophie, I'm 22 and I've been taking photos now for... 5 months. Just as a hobby, but I really really really love it. I'm as newb as they come, though. With that warning: I'm posting my favourite of the photos I've taken so far. I really like it because of the colours, and because it's really visually interesting, but I think because it has such a shallow depth of field and so much of it is out of focus it might not be very good.

I would LOVE any and all critique and criticism. Tips on how I could improve it. Suggestions. Anything. :-) I'm here to learn and to improve.

My DA account has all of my photos on it - if you have a DeviantArt account I'd love to hear from you. ^^ ShortandSnappy on DeviantArt

Thank you so much!

[Donald]

Sophie

Well done for coming in with your first image. It's always a bit daunting asking for C & C for the first time - wondering what they're going to say. But I hope you find that what you get here on CiC is good, constructive comment.

As for this one ..................

I think this stands a a good abstract image. I think we would all know that it's some form of plant life, but we're too close in to really appreciate the whole plant. But, that doesn't need to eb the point. What we've got here is an image that does have good strong colour, form, line, tone and texture. And for someone who's only been shooting for 5 months, that's pretty good going.

The one bit that I'd like to have done something about is that very bright bit where the leaf curls around and is catching the light just above the juxtaposition of the main horizontal 'vein' and the strong vertical up near the top right. It does keep dragging the eye up towards itself.

You've maybe not got into dodging and burning with the GIMP yet (I use it too). But. I'd maybe burn that spot just a bit to make it less bright.

By the way, how are you learning the GIMP?

I did it via the use of Rolf Steinhort's video tutorials at www.meetthegimp.org. He's now gone onto stuff that's pretty specialised, but the earlier videos (you can download or view the entire library), are very good.

Rolf himself makes the point that the videos were never intended to be viewed in a sequential order. He recommends that beginner's and those in the early stages of learning view them in the following sequence:

001
066
037
025
003
004
005
009
010

[ShortAndSnappy]

Whew, yeah, it's a bit nerve wracking - especially having seen all of the gorgeous images that other people have posted on the site!

Thanks for the positive comments. :-) I totally know what you mean about how it pulls the eye - I'll have a go at burning that bit. I've experimented with burning a bit, but it seems to dull the colour quite a lot?

I'm totally self-taught with the GIMP, so I'll take a look at those videos. Thanks!!!

[Mark von Kanel]

Hi Sophie

Welcome to CIC youll love it here and learn loads, i know i am. Youve certainly picked a difficult area in photography to start with! close up work is difficult to light and focus and there are many ways to improve shots with technique and of course more equipment i think youve done very well with your abstract image and with the exposer tweaked as Donal suggested, you have one for the wall. Well done.