Constructive Criticism Thread

[DaSilva]

Originally Posted by Choleric

Marquez I think all you need is a little post processing.
I played with your first and second one.

Just added a curve and adjust the colours on this one.


This was tough in IMO so I made it B&W an cropped it, I think it looks good


Well thats what I would do.

Very Nice Choleric .. I posted the pics the way I did so you guys could "fix" them.. I saved both on my comp' btw..

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Top Secret

The long exposure makes the fountain look like just one big bright blob. A shorter exposure would have helped make the fountain a bit more noticable.

Nice picture though.

I appreciate your comment, however, that was my intent--to make it look like a big blob which was done with a slow shutter speed. I have other pictures where the fountain is literally frozen, but I wanted to try one with the fountain looking as a whole.

Originally Posted by Germaniac

Michael, on your picture, I'm gonna say as much as I can because it's what you asked for, and I'll try to be as specific as possible - obviously alot of these things are subjective, so you can chose to take or discard what I say as you want:

First off, nice subject matter and placement, plus a good attempt in diffucult circumstances! The things I'd say about it is number one, the lighting. There's something about the tonal qualities which just seem unbalanced - the intensely bright subject matter which contrasts with the dull and somewhat undefined surburban background. So, some tonal consistency would make the image a bit more visually appealing, to begin with (which is tough, granted, because since you're in an outdoor setting at night it is very hard to modify lighting to a large degree - save a lighting rig). Secondly, there's some distracting details in the image - such as the apartment block in the background - does nothing for what you're trying to capture - my only suggestion for that, save Photoshop's invaluable clone stamp and healing brush, is to shoot at a different angle - perhaps a high one, looking down on the subject matter and cutting out most of the background. Thirdly, as Top Secret pointed out, I'm not sure if the long exposure works too well; not only does it muddy the water feature, it exaserbates the aforementioned issue of inconsistent tone. Fourthly, and nit-picking here but I noticed it; The image is slightly lop-sided, and you see how the round edge of the fountain is cut off on the left side and bottom? I think it would look better with the whole of that 'line' shown.

But really I think it is a very tough shot to crack due to those reasons mentioned above, mainly lighting and background distractions. So good job!

Thank you Germaniac.

You are right about the building in the background. In order to get the long exposure--with the slow shutter speed--I had to place it on a concrete beam that surrounds the fountain. I did not have a tripod, so that is all I could deal with. The surrouding wall that keeps the water in the fountain is blocked by this beam, so I had to crop it out.

My purpose was to make the water look like one big piece instead of freezing it.

Another intention of mine was to purposefully have the background--with the exception of the buildling--come out pretty bright. I have darker versions of this picture and it just does not suit me.

I will play around with the background to see if I can do away with the buildling. The buildling was simply unavoidable. Thank you

Originally Posted by Marquez

I think the pic is very good actually.. I can't see the wrong things here.. I would probably only taken the whole pic from a lower angel..

Thank you Marquez

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Choleric

I was wondering if there was anything I could do with this photo.



I tried it in B&W

Choleric, I truly think that there is nothing wrong with this picture and all you can do is play around with some settings to make it softer, if you like, in order to give it a less sharpened look. However, either way you go the picture is good and not much can be done. The subject is captured in an ally between high rizing apartments/houses/buildlings. The only thing I would suggest for you to do is probably create another layer on top of this and attempt to make the subject a little bit more brighter in order to bring them out.

[Michael]

Rule # 1 One thing I would like for those of you that are awaiting feedback is when you respond, attempt to quote as many people that responded to your picture in one post so that way it is easier for the person that critiqued to find feedback on their opinion. Just try.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Marquez

Da Silva's

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Very nice picture. I would say that maybe having cropped the image a little bit inward--doing away with some water--may help emphasize the sky. However, a little bit will be just fine. Another thing that could be done, and I say this in passing since it is not needed, is to create another layer, if you have photoshop, and attempt to brighten a little bit the mountain and water. That way when you contrast between the sky, the water, and the mountain, you get a realy good perspective of what is going on. Overall very nice attempt at nature pics.

Originally Posted by Marquez

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Now with this shot I don't see what you were going for. It is a little bit dark, and if you subject are the birds, then you may have wanted to have zoomed in a little bit more. However, it is not a bad image. I like the trees in the surrounding. This is actually a technique used by professional photographers in attempting to make the picture a little bit more 3d. That trees act as a frame.

Originally Posted by Marquez

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That's my best nature pic's please comment!

Out of all of the pictures that you presented for critique, I have to say that this one has to be ranked the lowest. This rather, however, is put in a higher scale than many other pictures, so hopefully this is a good thing rather than a bad thing.

The picture it good but I am having difficulty attempting to figure out what your point or subject matter was in this picture. I see a cruise ship, but instead of paying to much attention to it, my eye gets caught up with the houses in between the trees. The rock at the bottom would have been a nice subject matter for another picture if you would've done two: 1. having the rock as the main subject with minimal to no subjects around and, 2. having the rock in the lower left, middle, or right of the frame, emphasizing it, but also contrasting with a the houses and trees with a wide angle shot.

Take into consideration that these are just my opinions and if you wish to take it into consideration it is all up to you. Always remember that what counts is whether you like it or not.

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by Michael

I think we should have a thread where we can post pictures strictly to have other people comment on whether the quality, angle, composition, camera settings, etc. are good or not. The comments can be positive and/or negative.

Here is a picture I would like to get opinions on

Good image overall. Here's my input though.

You should have taken the image from farther away. Tha t way, we can see the whole fountain and more of the background. Good job of keeping the fountain in the center though.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

Good image overall. Here's my input though.

You should have taken the image from farther away. Tha t way, we can see the whole fountain and more of the background. Good job of keeping the fountain in the center though.

Thank you cawimmer. Unfortunately I could not have taken it farther back because of all the clutter around. There are beams, that you may not be able to see since I cropped the image. Also, I had to put the camera on top of one of these beams and the actual end of the beam was coming out in the photo, which shows, so that is why I had to crop so aggressively. I wish I could have shot from farther back but couldn't.

[DaSilva]

Originally Posted by Michael

Very nice picture. I would say that maybe having cropped the image a little bit inward--doing away with some water--may help emphasize the sky. However, a little bit will be just fine. Another thing that could be done, and I say this in passing since it is not needed, is to create another layer, if you have photoshop, and attempt to brighten a little bit the mountain and water. That way when you contrast between the sky, the water, and the mountain, you get a realy good perspective of what is going on. Overall very nice attempt at nature pics.



Now with this shot I don't see what you were going for. It is a little bit dark, and if you subject are the birds, then you may have wanted to have zoomed in a little bit more. However, it is not a bad image. I like the trees in the surrounding. This is actually a technique used by professional photographers in attempting to make the picture a little bit more 3d. That trees act as a frame.


Out of all of the pictures that you presented for critique, I have to say that this one has to be ranked the lowest. This rather, however, is put in a higher scale than many other pictures, so hopefully this is a good thing rather than a bad thing.

The picture it good but I am having difficulty attempting to figure out what your point or subject matter was in this picture. I see a cruise ship, but instead of paying to much attention to it, my eye gets caught up with the houses in between the trees. The rock at the bottom would have been a nice subject matter for another picture if you would've done two: 1. having the rock as the main subject with minimal to no subjects around and, 2. having the rock in the lower left, middle, or right of the frame, emphasizing it, but also contrasting with a the houses and trees with a wide angle shot.

Take into consideration that these are just my opinions and if you wish to take it into consideration it is all up to you. Always remember that what counts is whether you like it or not.

Thanks for the comment's ! I'll remember

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by Michael

Thank you cawimmer. Unfortunately I could not have taken it farther back because of all the clutter around. There are beams, that you may not be able to see since I cropped the image. Also, I had to put the camera on top of one of these beams and the actual end of the beam was coming out in the photo, which shows, so that is why I had to crop so aggressively. I wish I could have shot from farther back but couldn't.

Ah, I hate it when surrounding objects obstruct your view of something.

[Choleric]

What to you guys think about this morning shot...