Task 1.1.1

Well, we're up and running, looks like there's lots to wade through (not that I'm complaining), but I'm going to try and take my time as much as possible and digest everything slowly without giving myself overload. The first task we have been given is to browse explore on Flickr and pick out five images that have caught our eye in some way. We then need to explain why we were drawn to these images, and think about whether there is anything that could be done to improve them.

Greedy Grebe

This is a stunning image, well captured in a fleeting moment. It's nice and sharp, and well composed, with the bird facing "into" the picture. I also love the water droplets flying up from the fish's tail, adding interest to the right hand side of the picture.
It's difficult to pick out anything I don't like about this image, but if i'm being picky, the water droplet just above the fish's fin is slightly distracting so I might be tempted to remove this.

Primavera

The colours and light in this photo are lovely, and it has numerous nice contrasts, between the mountain and sky, trees and blossoms. I was drawn to it as it's the kind of image I often aspire to create, a nice foreground subject, with the background blurred enough, but still recognisible to give a sense of setting and scale.
My one criticism would be that, in my opinion, it is ever so slightly over exposed, so I would probably "correct" for this a little.

The Heavens Above My Head

I'm an absolute sucker for a sunset/sunrise photo, in fact if I'm being truthful they are probably my most favourite thing to photograph, so I was bound to end up with at least one in here! Stunning shot, dark above and below to give framing, nice light area in the centre, just enough flare without being too much, and beautiful highlighting on the edges of the clouds.
The one thing I dislike, however, is the choice of crop. I think a more rectangular vertical crop would give the picture even more impact, expecially since there is a slight feeling of empty space on the right hand side.

Colours

The title says it all really, great colours and abstract shapes really keep the eye roaming around this image finding layer upon layer of detail. Not the most obvious shot in the world which makes it all the more interesting.
I like what I assume is a Gondola pole at the top, although perhaps I would have positioned it more off to one side rather than in the centre.

Watch My Step...

This is my favourite out of the five. To me, light is everything in photography. That may sound blindingly obvious, but in my mind it means being drawn to images that have that subtle lighting quality that can be so hard to reproduce. There is so much light in this image without it feeling over exposed. The patterns in the sand and grass produce a rich array of shadows and light areas that is visually stunning. It also has a lovely sky which doesn't dominate but adds contrast and colour. I am transported...