Stuck at work

Just bought a Nikon D5000 yesterday, and although I had a a mess about with it at home on auto, i've spent a little time at work playing around with some of the settings and getting used to things. I'm an absolute beginner on 'manual' mode, but hey, everybody has to start some time. Here is a few photos just taken in and around the office:

1


2


3


4


5


6


7



Any advice, criticism is welcome.

Some nice shots there Laz - and a great start!

Check out our photography guides, they are all listed in this thread: http://www.yophotographer.com/page.php?t=54

And make sure you do each of the 'lessons' (be sure to post your results in the threads!) as they really do help

looks like you are having fun with your new camera. You are really going to pick up skills quickly by experimenting like this.

If I were taking a picture like your number 6 I think I would try and get the flowers in focus then let the background be softer. The composition might also be more pleasing if the flowers were more to the left - have a look at the rule of thirds tutorial.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks Azz/Little me.

Had a look at the 'lessons' and will give them ago later in the week.

Yep. not too fond of pic 6 myself. However, i really like Pic 2 for some reason. I don't have much of a choice in the office, but I really like the idea of taking something really boring and making it interesting. Pic 2 is just a simple monitor stand.

I think I have been reading too many IT magazines. I could see some of these being in 'IT weekly'.

I was just thinking they look like they could be stock IT images! Well done, they are good for a first try! Keep practising, and try out the threads the others mentioned - you'll soon be flying it!

xx

Well done for getting started, not bad for first time round.

I was just thinking that we are asked to post our equipment, ie. kit, but few mention their graphics software. I respect those here who choose not to post process their work. It's certainly possible to learn your equipment well enough, when added to photographic skills, to present photos right from the camera that are top notch.

I'd be curious if you own any graphics software? You need to work on camera focus & composition skills. Read the lessons on composition, depth of field & lighting. Keep shooting. There are those in this forum that started from humble beginnings that have come a long way. Remain open to suggestions on how to improve. I've been at this 40 years and learn more every day, literally. I hope to see more of your work as you progress.

Thanks everybody.

David, I have Adobe Photoshop, but I rarely use it and haven't done anything on the above.

In regards with other software, I own an iMac and have iPhoto, but again, only really use it for photo.

I have no probs with any constructive criticism. I'm new to the whole photography thing and don't expect to be instantly brilliant at it. I think anybody with a good camera can take awesome photos, but I'd like to be able to take good photos on any camera.

It would be worth getting to grips with the basics for Photoshop - even if it just to crop and adjust the light and colours.
Most pictures needs something - even if its only slight.
Would you mind if I give one of your photos a quick edit to show what I mean?

Yeah sure, go for it