Picture criticism/advice please

[pinkneyss]

I'm new at this & would like to know what you think of my pics. Any criticism or advice would be greatly appreciated.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/pinkneyss/Corals/zoas3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/pinkneyss/Corals/zoas4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/pinkneyss/Corals/palys1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/pinkneyss/Corals/mush1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/pinkneyss/Corals/leather1.jpg

[InvaderJim]

Beautiful pictures. What type of camera & lense combination are you using?

[pinkneyss]

Thanks!!

The camera is a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H5. I really like it so far, but I still have a lot to learn.

[gregr]

Those all look really good to me. Nice and sharp and good composition- you're doing great :)

[pinkneyss]

Thanks gregr!
Now if I could just figure out how to get some decent pics of the fish.

[kactusficus]

Hello there!

Beautiful pics indeed, put if I'd want to be very rough, I'll say:
#1 and 2 lack of a first row subject, a particular interest (even if the zoos are great, the light is good and the focus is good and sharp)
the others are too centered in the middle of the fram, it makes an effect of slight dullness, lack of dynamism.

In photographic composition, the best is to use the corners of the frame, and the oppisote sides (subject from down/left to up/right, etc...)

Once again I'm being very picky, but you said you wantred to improve so... But the images are still very good!

About fish pics, try to set your camera to 1/200e speed, with the semi automatic mode for Speed priority, and the camera will automaticly set the aperture for you. With this speed, you'll be able to freeze fishes in their movements.
For resting fishes or slow fishes, 1/125e should be enough.
Put the flash on but stay very close to the tank glass, or you'll get the flash reflect on the image...

we're looking forward to see your trials!

[pinkneyss]

Thanks for the advice!!

I don't understand what you mean by "#1 and 2 lack of a first row subject". Can you explain what you mean?

Thanks again for the help..

[kactusficus]

Hi Pinkneyss,

Sorry about the misunderstanding, but as I'm french, it's not that easy to be cristal clear with another langage than my natural one!
Well, for example, what I meant by "first row subject" was some kind of "plus" in your image, that can make it a very unique one. Your zoos are great. But wouldn't it be even greater with, for example, an hermit crab walking on it, or a fish seeking for food inbetween the polyps? You see what I mean? The "landscape" would become a "landscape with action", and the image done would be much nicer!
Is there's no action possible, then, another "first row subject" to emphasize the scene would be to play with the apertures of the lens and the framing, to "inflate" the image with more sense. taking a unique point ofd view guiding the reading of the image, for example, focus on a single polyp or little group and put the rest in the blur by reducing the aperture of the lens, or frame your image closer, to impact the reading with macro details... I don't know if you see clearer now, what I meant... not easy to talk technique only with words + with a foreign langage!

well, I hope I explained better. Please let me know if you need more details, I'll be happy to help!

[DeepBlueSea]

Nice

[Jeff]

Looks great to me :)

[pinkneyss]

Thanks for the compliments.

kactusficus - Now I understand. That is the type of advice I need. Thanks for the help!

[Lpabsolute]

Sweet pics.....love your zoas....Looks like you know what your doing....