Please critique my photos~ are any of these good enough to compete in contests?

[Carols Clucks]

If you look on line, there are lots of free sources for photography hints and tips. I would suggest signing up for a few, use a junk mail email address though so you can just look when you have time. Also if you are on Facebook, add photography to your interests and you will have lots of the pros asking to friend you. They drop lots of links to their works, workshops, blogs and other hints. Start looking at what they post vs your own images.

On facebook, liking "outdoor photographer" will get you a lot of good free hints. Just yesterday Adorama sent out an email on the rule of thirds. You can find photoshop hints, camera tips, location ideas, all kinds of stuff just by joining a few free things.


Rules are meant to be broken, but things like understanding the rule of thirds and framing will really help your photography.

 

[Funky Feathers]

Thanks. I have bought stuff from Adorama before (batteries/chargers, photo paper, etc.). I just bought a new Nikon Coolpix L105 online. It is way more complex than my old camera, I am still learning how to use it. So many features! I don't have Photoshop (I use Linux OS), I have GIMP and Picnik, and Pixlr for editing. I like to play around with editing. The Cockatoo and the dogs were edited, but not the Parrot (Macaw). I just published a book with my photos in it. I am so excited!

 

[happycountryhens]

I like three out of both groups:

The double rainbow picture I like because the picture has interest and depth. The light captured on the fenceline is great.

The driftwood pic I likes because it was interesting and had rich color without being too busy. An excellent example of the rule of thirds posted earlier on this thread.

The raspberry picture because it is detailed without being overly busy.

Not a professional here. Just love good, clean pictures.

 

[Funky Feathers]

How about these?

 

[happycountryhens]

I like the boats and the sun and bench.

 

[damselfish]

Second and fourth from last in first batch.

The fourth from last because it is rather unusual when you really look, there is water on both sides of the chairs as if they are about to wash away. The horizon is a smidge off, I think, though, but you could fix that.

The second from last for the sand ripples and good composition.

The others are pleasant, but as others have said, horizons/subjects are not straight, sometimes not focused, and many just don't have an exciting focal point...I get that same trouble with landscapes..."hey this is really a cool landscape but the photo doesn't show the scope somehow"...

Really nice focus on those beautiful raspberries but the napkin and table are very distracting.

Thanks for the entertainment, I like to pick my pictures apart, too but I am not as brave as you to put them up on the board!