New user, new photos.

[dragonhunter]

Hey everyone,
I'm new here, with a new camera and some new skills too.
Armed with my trusty 500D and 17-85 IS USM I've been out and about taking as many photos as I can find an eye for. I've posted up 5 of the best I've taken so far, mainly because the others I want to put up are >5Mb and I haven't decided whether to crop down or just resize.
So.... have a look at my pictures please and tell me what you think, really looking for basic advice on how i can make them better.

P.s. i have no aptitude for giving photos names other than numbers
P.p.s Nearly forgot to say the photos are in my user album. http://www.photoradar.com/photos/118026/dragonhunter

[nickanderson]

If you have a look at your instruction manual, you may find some helpful information on setting up your camera for different situations. I am not failiar with your equipment (oo er missus!!!) but the landscape shots could probably have been tweaked with some exposure lock.
A good tripod is an essential item and worth spending a bit of cash on
Have a look in the technique section here too
But most importantly keep snapping - as you become more familiar with your camera you will be able to ask for more specific guidance.

Hope this is of some use.