Sorry for the later reply - been out on the tops above Buttermere - visibility zero

No1 I think needs a wee bit of something as has been said. Texture and wet heather isn't enough - as DrOrloff says a few rays coming through might have lifted it with maybe a bit of mist. Like he says I've seen some really nice shots from this type of scene. I like it but needs a bit of a zing from somewhere.

No2 was with the B&W 110 so made it into a 30 second exposure - Cropped where it is as the far shore started to intrude and its not as tidy as I'd have liked. Perhaps a better idea might have been to raise the tripod up and get the fence slightly lower down in the shot. I like the idea of cloning out the black - not sure how to do it but I'll have a dabble.

I think thats beautiful - nowt else to add. Superbly done

Not my 'normal' sort of shot but just trying something different - both taken with the Sigma 50 which is a new arrival. I thought its continued use might make me work at compositions.

With the trees I liked the light that was coming through and the way it was glistening on the wet heather. I also liked the texture of the bark.

Lake shot is a long exposure. I liked the fact that the end of the fence was sitting in some reflected light from a late gap in the clouds.

Critique welcomed - joined this forum to try and keep on the learning curve.

[IMG]http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/kushtibucket/TreesontheBeacon.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/kushtibucket/Fence.jpg[/IMG]

Edge of the English Lake District. Its easier to sneak up on Deer than Herons. As soon as you lift your head above the parapet all you can see is a feathery backside flying away.

A very nice shot - as Tim says nice and sharp with a good background. I'd love a shot of one of these but they are impossible to get close to round here.

I really like that one as well.

When I say books I'm not a great one for reading reams of text about technique. I'm more into looking at the pictures themselves and the little touches that people have with light/exposure/composition etc.

Thanks for the comments about my progress so far - I'm probably quite heavy on the self critical side, which I don't think does any harm, but nice compliments never did any harm

I think its an excellent capture - very sharp. Colours are nice and natural.

Cheers folks - plenty to look at there. I've always shied away from the local photography club as I thought there was a very good chance it would be full of folk described as Cabstar said. I love in one of those sort of areas.

Library for more books sounds like a plan and I'm definitely considering a couple of Landscape workshops.

Impressive set of results - been looking at this, the Tamron and the 16-45 as a handy everyday lens and very impressed by these.

12 months into the hobby and thus far I've tried to pick it up as I've gone along. Bought a couple of Tom Ang books in charity shops where I read about the rule of thirds and a 'couple' of other bits. Other than that I've taken about 25,000 pictures and just tried to learn from my mistakes. I've also looked at loads of other peoples work. Second year is likely to be more problematic as one thing I've realised is how much I don't know. Its the main reason why I joined the forum to be honest - I'm thinking of going down to my local photography club but would quite like to do a course or two as well.

Just wondered if there were any courses that folk would recommend or any other course of action. Its taken over as the number one hobby - golf has been more than slightly pushed to one side as I can combine the photography with getting out on the fells.