Christmas images - C&C welcomed and requested :-)

[rtbaum]

Hi Diane, Welcome to CiC.

I like #3 for its lovely composition, I would crop a little from the right.

I think others have covered posting adequately and thus will not go there.

You probably should have used a lower iso setting to reduce the noise level. Doing so would require a longer shutter speed and would need to have stabilized the camera. A good tripod is the standard stabilizer, but you could have used a pillow, book, or whatever and triggered the shutter with a remote or timed release.

[bnnrcn]

Hi again Diane I like the colors,composition and bokeh in #3. May be it would be better if you had a little more empty space on the right hand side and at the bottom to have the sharp ornament on the 1/3 point. I can not say very much about the sharpness and clarity of that ornament as the image size is small but I think you have some noise issue there too because of the high ISO (You might as well try some noise reduction with PP).

Thank you, Binnur.
As I am trying to learn what makes for a good photo - may I ask what about #3 you like? And, if you have suggestions for improving the photos?
I am happy that I found this site - seems like a good group of very skilled photographers. I will need to work on not feeling intimidated :-)
Diane

[luvaneezer]

Thanks, Binnur. I might try the adjustments re cropping and for more PP noise reduction. I am seeing the problems with high ISO :-)
I appreciate your suggestions!
Diane

[luvaneezer]

Randy,
Thank you for the welcome! I will try cropping a bit on the right. And, your input regarding ISO is very helpful. to be honest, I was not looking at the ISO setting and clearly should have been. I need to get a tripod, and learn about managing the camera from my iPhone to eliminate shake.
Thanks for the input!
Diane

[luvaneezer]

Suggestions for #3 to
(1) crop tighter on right
(2) crop to reconfigure so front ornament is on 1/3 mark and
(3) PP noise reduction.

Have done noise reduction in LR5 and cropped in both (1) and (2) suggestions. Thoughts?
Diane

[TonyW]

I use Flickr to post and usually choose the size with 1600px on the longer side. However, the preview does not work properly at that size. Also, a couple of days ago the images came out distorted (too narrow) and I had to edit the post to reduce the size.

[mknittle]

Hi Mark,
Thanks! Same question for you if you don't mind sharing. Is there anything in particular I should be aware of in #3 that you like? (so I can learn for future shots). Or, that I could do better?
I am using LR5 and onOne Perfect Photo9 - though I am so very new at each so far.
cheers,
Diane

I like the bokeh, The Lights? in the background call my attention. I feel drawn to them.
I used to hate post pressing. Now I shoot mostly RAW and have grown to like it. I haven't explored Lightroom 5 much yet. I used to use Lightroon 3 and liked it.

The important thing is to have fun.
Mark,

[bnnrcn]

Hi Diane, IMO your original crop is better then both of those. Because the right side of the image is empty and doesn't add to the composition in the first crop and the sharp ball is so close to the edge of the frame in the second crop that my eyes go out of the frame while looking at the ball.

Suggestions for #3 to
(1) crop tighter on right
(2) crop to reconfigure so front ornament is on 1/3 mark and
(3) PP noise reduction.

Have done noise reduction in LR5 and cropped in both (1) and (2) suggestions. Thoughts?
Diane

[luvaneezer]

Binnur - Thanks! Pretty much my reactions to them, as well. You can't really tell until you make the adjustments how it will present. I did make some alterations in noise reduction that I like better. Good lesson in that. And, also using a tripod or stabilizer of some sort to be able to lower the ISO.
Thanks!