over too dark, and i dont know why you choose a not interesting leaf instead find a flower to shoot.   

Capture something like that in the morning, it will look fresh and the color will pop out or use flash
and find a leaf with unique shape like this. Shot with my first dslr d40

haha I'm a student too, that was captured during my holiday trip to Ipoh. Holiday sure got no homework right?  btw like my mother always say "If you say  you want to do it, then go, don't wait for something to call you because it wont"

yeah i guess i should. i never really like the bulk and the weight balance. would an SB400 do a good job or should i just go for an SB700?

thin DOF?

is that 28-300? on a dx body? kinda limiting right on the wide end.

wow that's fast   

good luck.

i still on the way slowly saving 

in another 2 years, d600 obsolete already.. prepare for new model. LOL

Monkey

Edit:

Dont know whether u do it purposely or not, Leaves on both side constitute framing to the subject.

Exposure and sharpness dont want to comment.

Monkey too center, leaf in the middle a bit distracting.

Edit: Im selling 16-35 F4 and D5100 body only, let me know if you interested