Not going to earn me browny points due to the lack of sharpness, but still would appreciate your views on these few ones I took.
My limitations on these ones were mainly a double glazing patio door which desperately needs to be cleaned , handheld and against the light. Oh and the distance, I was physically approximately 50ft from the subjects.

Advice and suggestions on how I could improve any crops or photoshoping etc would be greatly appreciated.

I have so many birds coming into the garden and I hadn't noticed until I dived into photography. For years I could hear them chirping wildly but never gave any attention to it.
Stocked myself now with bird seeds and I am getting ready for the next days . I am going to lock myself into my office shed which I have to just tidy up in my back garden, and open the window and get ready for them now.

I am definitely enjoying this lens big time . I just wish I could get them sharper and in a better position. All the elements are there for me to get better shots, its just a matter of learning and improving.

I just feel I could have done far better. Well, once I get my shed use the tripod will definitely help and not being behind a double glazing glass that needs a good cleaning

Thanks

That lighting enhances the whole expression in my opinion

Stefan

, its interesting now that you show me the original. Seems you have done some great work at processing. Overall the image looks great. And I realise now that looking at this picture on its own rather than in that group of the othre portraits now it doesn't seem that it needs a bit more cropping. Seems that as the other ones have a slightly larger image of the face the moment I laid my eyes on this one my impression was: "hmm hold on, its a lovely looking portrait, I wish it was enlarged as the previous one that I just ran my eyes to.". and then the impression gathers strength as if to confirm my thoughts when I look down and I see a slightly larger face on that next image . It might just be more psychological than anything else .

But now looking at it on its own I find it quite ok.

Pretty nicely taken, I like the lighting and the expression.

But talking about expressions, you captured her shy smile absolutely nice in her other photo. I like it to bits, really . I look at it and her whole expression helped by the lighting angles just look great .
I am impressed

Karl

, you will soon realise when you turn a veteran . You got to be over 99 years old .

Just kidding . I think its either based on the number of posts you have participated with or might even be the amount of time that you have been around.

All I know is mine turned from new member to veteran without me noticing it. And I only have been here since December

Stefan
in my limited ability in the field so please do not take my views as being the right ones. I am only going to say what my eye perspective tells me, although based on total lack of experience.

I like all of them, but the one that absolutely jumps to my eye and leaves me with a great smile is the third one. There is something about the expression on her face that looks very very captivating. Also I like the way the lighting on her hair is. Good idea she has her blue top on top of her black one on this picture compared to the other one where if I am not mistaken she has the black top instead on its own, and the lighting on her right slightly on her arm gives that nice bluish tone so the eye instantly notices that she is not wearing totally black.

The only little thing that I feel you could have done better on that one is if you had brought her slightly closer, seems that you took the shot slightly away compared to the other ones. It would have been nice to have her at the same distance as the other ones are. Or crop the image a bit more if the quality holds

Oh and the other thing I noticed one of the reasons that third one jumps to my eye is the black background. I like it.

All in all in my opinion they all look great. Well done

Thanks Prieni Found it. Now I see what all the comments above are. Hmm pretty interesting. I might give it a go

I cant see any images in the WEEKLY COMPETITION #86 An Instrument of Time. Where exactly is the link for the photos uploaded? The gallery seems empty at the moment but I see your comments above regarding the images

Thanks

Amin

Too late to try to find a way with your FA , the lens is gone, someone else has managed to get around his or her FA before you Mannesty

Womble,

We both need to practise not to wobble with the 300mm .
Let's try to work out some routine exercises that will steady our hands.
I think I will be taking archery for practice so that I can have steadier hands using my 300 mm

Pete, time to make a wish list and send to Santa , he does take time to scoop all the requests you know? . So we better send ours first so he can start sorting the items first before his shelves get empty with the best goodies