(Bringing Depth to the 2-D World)
Ballerina (shot at ƒ4)
I see your natural and good graphic instincts at work again in this image. Makes a great argument to be seen in black & white (though we switch to color in the next lessons). A field of white tile and light gray floor punctuated with the rhythm of those dark black shorts, skirts, pants. Like musical notes on a staff. Part of the charm of this image lies in the watery reflections seen in the shiny floor. Could more have been made of those "unseen" shapes? While I like the inclusion of the full figure and face at far left (the lady), I have suggested another kind of framing the keys into the dance/play of white legs and black bodice/skirts/pants. The arrangement of feet, I feel, gets more attention and emphasis—three completely different ways of standing. I could argue too for having some negative space around the central figure, instead of her overlapping the male figure at left. Fundamentally, however, a strongly composed image with graphic power, and use of a semi-shallow depth of field. You used ƒ4 which normally would make for blurrier backgrounds, but the use of a wide angle lens often mitigates that effect.
Skel Parade (shot at ƒ11)
Toying with long/deep depth of field with the use of a smaller aperture like ƒ11. Here's a decision where you feel that foreground and background are equally important and in ways my eye really does jump back to the freaky pirate skeleton in background. Not sure how you pulled this off, but it does feel as though there is a skeleton parade happening. Impressive. The framing of the "couple" at far right pushes this illusion and sensation. I also like how much information has been framed out, getting right down to essences. The roll and curves of skeleton heads (7 altogether) is playful and moves the eye along. The photo asks questions about what is the primary subject? Not sure, and that is a good thing often. I appreciate how well animated you have made things. Other camera technique that might emphasize motion, energy?
White Pumpkins (shot at ƒ7)
Interesting use of the middle of the aperture ring! A great example of putting your focus in the middle of the frame with enough depth of field to keep your 5 white pumpkins in focus (about 2 feet in depth) and have the rest of the pumpkin patch be blurry (both in near ground and background). How would the message/content of this image change if you used ƒ2.8? What about ƒ22? Depth-of-field via aperture choices can really focus the viewer's attention and give him many different impressions of a scene. I like the choice you made here (or the experiment in any case). Dark and medium gray pumpkins are SOFT. White pumpkins are SHARP. Simple ways to cultivate a language, expression, message within a photograph.
Final thoughts:
Good experimentation. I favor the first image of the Ballerina the most. Use of depth, graphic power, playfulness, contrasts in scale, etc.