Camera Labs

hello,
i'm new to the forum and new to DSLR photography. i took this shot within the first couple days of having the camera. i am just curious as to what anyone thinks and any constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22279720@N05/2162864167/

info:
shutter: 1/250
aperture: f8
focal length: 32mm
ISO: 200

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Nikon D40 kit
Flickr Gallery

Looks nice. I do however think it would have been better if the houses were excactly in the middle, dividing the picture into two halves of the same size. It's close to be that way, but not entirely as i see it.
But maybe thats just me

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Jake

Canon EOS 400D + EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS + EF 50mm f/1.8
My Photos - My webpage (danish)

Hi smitty, and welcome to the forum!!!

I quite like the shot, as it's generally considered better to place the horizon away from the center of the picture, which you are starting to do nicely.

Check out this Wikipedia article about applying the Rule of Thirds - a useful photographic technique, especially for landscapes.

Mark

Hi smitty526, and welcome to the friendly Camera Labs forum!
I think the pic is a good start, just try not to be too symmetric. You have to decide imho: Either the beach and foreground is your main topic, then just tilt the cam down so that the horizon goes throught the upper third of the pic. If you want to emphazise the nice clouds, just tilt the cam up and let the horizon go through the lower third of the pic.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

i think that shot looks great.. even though the houses are in the center it doesnt seem boring because you have those pebbles (i guess thats what they are) right in the beginning so it kinda breaks it up.. you also couldve have made the shot a little bit darker but maybe not too much because the ground is dark by the sky is kind of drowned out but that just my opinion.

thanks for all the feedback. it is much appreciated.

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Nikon D40 kit
Flickr Gallery

Hi Smitty
I love the beach, any beach. And I love how many different ones there are.
At first when I saw this I was like wow that is bright! The more I look at it the more I like it. I like how the color of the sand matches the color of the roof tops. And I also like the white (blown out?) of the horizon with the white in the rocks and the reflection on the water. I wonder if when you took it, the day was that bright?
My only critique is since you were shooting portrait I would have gotten really close to the rocks (shells?, what are those things) and laid out the houses as the background. Great DoF - I like everything clear. Pictures like this make me want to see more of what is around the area.

Cool shot!

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Jim Hawksworth Flickr
Canon 30D | EF 17-40 f/4L | EF 70-200 f/4L USM | EF 50 f/1.8 II | 580EX II | Berleback 2420 Tripod | and other various tools