How can I improve?

[freetoroam]

I am taking the course and have learned a lot of technical stuff about shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc. I took these two images, just shot them in Auto mode, because I'm trying to practice composition. Took these at this space-age looking Research Center called Biosphere2 in the Arizona desert. I think I tend to look at the world with a 'big picture' view...trying to maybe put too much in the frame...would these have been better had I zoomed in more? Also, I like bright, vivid colors, and these seem dull to me...then again, it was in the desert so there's not much color there. Would you post process these with Photoshop or such...or is that cheating or deceiving the viewer? I think I'm suffering from a crisis of confidence as I see the beautiful, creative images many of you post. Thank you for any suggestions to help me along.
Hannah

[eyerkish]

I am taking the course and have learned a lot of technical stuff about shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc. I took these two images, just shot them in Auto mode, because I'm trying to practice composition. Took these at this space-age looking Research Center called Biosphere2 in the Arizona desert. I think I tend to look at the world with a 'big picture' view...trying to maybe put too much in the frame...would these have been better had I zoomed in more? Also, I like bright, vivid colors, and these seem dull to me...then again, it was in the desert so there's not much color there. Would you post process these with Photoshop or such...or is that cheating or deceiving the viewer? I think I'm suffering from a crisis of confidence as I see the beautiful, creative images many of you post. Thank you for any suggestions to help me along.
Hannah

Hi Hannah,

I lived out on the Phoenix area for a couple of years and I used to think the desert did not have much color, either. But as I learned more and my eye was trained to start seeing things differently, the colors and the photo opportunities stood out to me. I like the shots you posted, with the second one being my favorite of the two. With regards to that second one, I don't know if it would have been better if you zoomed in. I played with the photo a bit (hope you don't mind) and I cropped it to see what it would look like and I think I like your original composition better after straightening it just a bit. As for editing with Photoshop, everyone has their own preference. I guess I would ask if you are taking the pictures for yourself or someone else. If it is for someone else, I would ask if they wanted the photos "as is" or wanted it somehow enhanced. If you take the photos for yourself, then I would say do whatever you want to them. If you like vivid colors, then give it vivid colors. I don't view it as a deception as I enjoy looking at the final product and wondering how the photographer arrived at that destination. That being said, I made a few basic edits to the shot to give you a visual. I don't know that these edits are better than your original, but I do know I would not feel deceived in looking at them. And once again, I hope you don't mind that I edited them since your thread was not posted in the "edit my photo" section.

[Pat]

Hi Hannah. Excepting a couple of points, i really like these. I like the first except for the bit of metal sculpture intruding into the frame on the left. Both shots could have been straighter. Watch your horizon lines (the actual horizon or any line that should be parallel to the horizon (discounting parallax).
I am of the opinion that all photography requires some post processing. The camera doesn't exist that has the visual acuity of the human eye. Our eyes see more shades, colours, and other visual information than a camera can process. to not process is to present an image that may not be true to the photographer's perception of the original scene. In that sense, to not process is to present a "fake". :)

IN your pics, I like the subdued palette. It's quite suitable to the desert clime. Your pics could do with a degree of sharpening. Not that they are out of focus, that's not the purpose of sharpening (which isn't actually sharpening, but an increase in contrast between adjacent light and dark pixels).
I have to respectfully disagree with Eddie's interpretations. I find them too cool for a desert scenario. Too much blue in the whites. A warmer balance would, I think, have been more appropriate.
Having said all that, Hannah, now I'll say to you...Don't worry about post processing for now. In fact, ignore it. Take care of the photography first. Develope a solid foundation. Save the eye candy for dessert.

[freetoroam]

Thank you for the candid comments and the encouragement. I know I will have to learn Photoshop then because no matter how hard I try I can't seem to get the horizons totally straight; the eyes aren't as good as they once were. We take photos for our own enjoyment mostly as memories of our traveling during our retirement years. Your encouragement means so much to me...I do think it's a bad idea to compare myself, a beginner, to more experienced/professional photographers; but, I learn so much by looking at other people's images to see what they've done in a particular photograph...and it gives me inspiration to keep practicising and get better. Thank you again...I'm off to shoot some more pictures......

[ngwillym]

For straight horizons, there's a very cheap accessory called a bubble level that you can fit to your camera's hot shoe

[Pat]

Good point, ng. Also, free, check yout manual/menu. Many cams come with an optional "rule of thirds" grid or horizon lines that can be superimposed on the lcd. These are a great help in keeping horizons, and in some cases, vertical lines straight.