Nice and nice.
In both images you have the main subject right on the centre line and in the case of the second one it is also on the centre vertical. Is this something you chose to do? If so, do you feel this is the best position for those?
i'm pretty new to trying to compose pictures and do tend to end up or crop to the centre line, need to spend some time altering and playing in photo shop - any advise on composition would always be keen to learn more
If you haven't already read it, I'd suggest that the introductory tutorial to composition here on CiC (click here) is about the best place to start. And then reading any book on art composition (painting or photography) would help you develop thinking on the subject.
thanks for the info - I have recropped the robin picture and feel it looks far better
For what it's worth, I would have cropped the stag photo a little closer at the bottom, to lose some of the foreground and 'bring it closer to the viewer. Then cropped the top to fit into a 5 x 4 ratio.
And the original robin image; I think, crop off some from the left side and maybe a fraction from the bottom. Maybe, once again, finish at 5 x 4 ratio.
The pheasants on the gate and the cyclists are perfect as they are.