New to competition

[elizabethemma]

I am still fairly new to the professional arena and would like to start entering competitions. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what they think of these photos, are they merit worthy? if not, what can i do to improve on them or in general....

I grew up with 4 brothers so don't be afraid to be honest, i have thick skin ;)

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/101/l_cbbd6b5ddbb04a359b332e19cfc61fb5.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/68/l_a7462f730ffd4a13ad16c52d78b9105f.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/68/l_8b78282ce4264362a66c5f576333a232.jpg

if they look soft its the way they posted, they are pretty sharp. Thanks!!!

[Mark_Levesque]

In the first one, it's a pretty severe tilt. It looks like you are trying to get the entire shadow in the frame, which makes visual sense, but I think you could have accomplished that with a landscape orientation and a less extreme (and uncomfortable, at least to me) tilt. I think your composition is off a bit on this one, but the idea is good and it really is just a matter of refinement to make this into a solid image, IMO.

I like the other two images, but I think you can improve them with a stronger crop and by getting some light in the subjects eyes.

[elizabethemma]

Thanks mark, i appreciate your comments! i was worried about the tilt as well, i have one of them that has less of a tilt that is horizontal, but the shadow is less obvious. here it is, and here is a quick edit of the other two, are they better with the crop? i am worried they are too over done.

thanks again!

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/80/l_f053c168a9574f519720ab5d30174c7f.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/98/l_8ffaf4ed2ba84baea664aea8d74d2005.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/103/l_cffd3b8e2b0a45e9a7637b8e48040711.jpg