Photography -- looking for opinions

[Devhux]

This one's not in the Hardware forum simply because I'm actually looking for some opinions on pictures I've taken -- not advice on getting an actual digital camera.

Anyways, I took some pictures out in Bragg Creek, Alberta, and was curious if some of you guys could share your insight (what do you like about the pics, what you don't, etc.) I'm still learning when it comes to photography, and would appreciate some feedback.

Anyways, here are the pics.

http://members.shaw.ca/gurux/nature/falls.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/gurux/nature/path.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/gurux/nature/railing.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/gurux/nature/river.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/gurux/nature/river2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/gurux/nature/sky.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/gurux/nature/trees.jpg

UPDATE:

I noticed in another picture that I had a great shot of the sky, but the rest of the image wasn't the greatest -- so I decided to do a bit of Photoshop work to see if I could brighten up one of my other images. Here's that result:

http://members.shaw.ca/gurux/nature/road2.jpg

[Nija]

Your first link is broken.


Other than that, there is an awful lot of nature in those pictures...

That place needs a strip mall or something ;)

[Devhux]

Deleted the first image (I really needed better focus on the bird -- but didn't have the ambition to enable manual focus mode on the digicam).

I also made an update with some Photoshop work I did.

[BigJon]

I like the second pic, the waterfall. Try slowing down the "shutter speed" maybe put the camera on midnight mode and on a tripod. That will make the water look more like silk draped over the rocks rather than freeze it in the air.

For example:
http://www.bophoto.com/e-10/images/photography/speed-03.jpg
http://www.bophoto.com/e-10/images/photography/speed-02.jpg

Otherwise, the railing picture is pretty good for "framing the subject"....but maybe zoom more inside the railing....or use it as a "leading line"...let the eye follow the winding rail from the top down to a person or some subject just at the end of the railing.

For example:
http://www.cybercollege.org/pix/shadow8.jpg
see how the lines in the shadow move your eye directly to the fountain?

Not too bad! I'm not a pro or anything...I just have a good knack for "seeing a photo"....I just have problems capturing it the way I want to....

[djsusm]

Good stuff!

My only comments are in the "sky" pic. Its generally good to have 1/3 and 2/3 ratios for the "horizon" line. Also, for some of the shots like the railing and tree on the path, it would be really cool to have a greater contrast between the focus object and the "background" so that one is a bit out of focus.

I'm just getting into photography myself, so I'm interested to see others' comments too.

[Devhux]

I like the second pic, the waterfall. Try slowing down the "shutter speed" maybe put the camera on midnight mode and on a tripod. That will make the water look more like silk draped over the rocks rather than freeze it in the air.

That's actually a good piece of advice -- and one I'm surprised I didn't try. I was going for the "freeze the action" kind of shot, but your approach would make the waterfall look more realistic and "active"

I know I'll be back out there in the next few months (probably closer to spring), and will definately use some of the tips/techniques I learn here.


Good stuff!

My only comments are in the "sky" pic. Its generally good to have 1/3 and 2/3 ratios for the "horizon" line. Also, for some of the shots like the railing and tree on the path, it would be really cool to have a greater contrast between the focus object and the "background" so that one is a bit out of focus.

Unfortunately, from what I've read on a few other forums, I'm a little limited with what I can do in that regard. I own a Canon Powershot A95, and these compact cameras have a hard time with depth-of-field (mostly due to the smaller sensor size). If there is a way to achieve the effect though, I'd be interested to find out (I don't think changing my aperture was having much effect).

[BigJon]

Hope you don't mind...

I figured I would post a couple of my pics with my digicam for you to see what is possible if you just goof around.

Ok...this link should work...

http://photos.yahoo.com/[email protected]

Just click on "Just Photos"

[Nija]

BigJon Your links don't work.

[Hypnotist]

I'm certainly not a photo pro, but I have had experience in commercial art. Have you studied any art prior to photography? Other than here, where will you share these photos. What's the purpose of your work? Are you trying to elicit a specific emotion? These are just a few questions I'd ask myself when choosing a subject. The best overall advice I can offer is to get out the camera and experiment as you're doing now. Take hundreds of shots... thousands of shots, and compare them against other people's work that you like. I'm sure you know that some photographers invest a lifetime to get a masterpiece.

First impressions?... I think 2 of the shots are good. The waterfall... and the river with the reflection. The others seem to need a more clearly defined subject or focus... what are you showing me that's interesting? The railing vs. nature could be an striking juxtaposition if offered from a different vantage point. Had you backed off some giving a better look at the curvilinear railing against the white snow backdrop, you might have created more of the effect I think you were trying to achieve. The path shot has too much tree in the forground... I lost site of the path there because the tree simply overpowered the shot. The others are essentially non-descript. In general, give me a subject and a focus that captures my attention and imagination. Make me long to be there. Good perspective and composition are essential. But ultimately, you know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Keep at it... You'll do Great! :)

[zippyjuan]

I agree with a lot of what the others say. The reflection on the river2 is the best. The others lack some focus on a subject. The railing could have been a little more interesting if it say came across the picture, but then cut out in the top about 2/3 of the way across. The rule of thirds is useful on photos- the eye tends to focus on items in this area the best- say a horizon at the lower 1/3 line to empasize the sky above it. A horizon at the upper 1/3 level puts more emphasis on the ground. An object at the intersection of any of the thirds line will be the item more focused on. Lines or objects in the middle have less interest. Perhaps you did not notice it (or maybe you did) that the tree on this side of the river falls on about the 1/3 line. It also helps add depth- not all the trees are on one side of the river.

Your "edit" picture is very good- the curve of the road helps draw the eye through the picture up towards the sky. I would only say that the sky is too blue. I am from Colorado so I know that the sky can be very blue at times, but if it looks "off", especially in an outdoors, nature picture, it can throw the image off. Try to keep it more natural. I just got Photoshop Elements 3.0 a few weeks ago and I am just beginning to learn how to use that too. I don't always get it right either.


To take an interesting picture, ask what about it is interesting and how can you show that to someone who is not there? Is it the way the water looks in relation to the trees? Is it the color of something? The way the light is hitting it? The picture has to tell the whole story. Color and lighting can make a picture more interesting. A picture of say a sunset can be boring so you need to have something to make it more interesting like unusual clouds or an object like a tree or rock. If something is not interesting, how can you make it interesting? Try to look at it from a different angle. Get closer. Try further away- show it in relation either to its location or another object or person. Put it in an unusual place or show it in a different way. Look at other pictures you like and ask yourself why you find them interesting. Try to copy what they are doing and see if it works. The more picures you take and also look at, the better you will understand what you find interesting. You will also learn what works and does not work with your camera. Different cameras and lenses will capture a scene or action differently. Learn to use the capabilities of your camera to your advantage. Even a disposable instamatic can take interesting pictures. The great thing about digital pics is that you do not have to buy film so it does not matter if you take a bad picture- just see what went wrong, delete it, and try again. You can see right away how it came out rather than taking your film to a lab and waiting to get it developed. By then the moment has passed. I carry my camera everywhere I go and have been taking 1000 pictures a year for about three years now and now they are getting better. Yours will too- just get in the habit of trying to see things. Now I am getting better at seeing what a picture will look like even before I pick up my camera. I like to show my pictures to others to get their reaction and see what others like. Just have fun with it!

I have a couple of pictures posted on this site in some of their challenges under the name Jeffry Z: http://www.pbase.com/mtf_foto_studies Click on KM Mini Challenges , I have a couple under Challenges #38, 39, and 40 as well in the KM Challenge for Traffic under the Exhibition listing. There are a lot of good pictures here to get inspired by. You are capable of doing shots that can be posted here too.

[BrewMaster]

GuruX, I'm no pro at photography, I just mess around. I have to say that I like river.jpg and river2.jpg. The rest don't tickle my fancy, but those 2 are nice. In river2.jpg I think you used the reflected light off of the water and snow much much better than in river.jpg.

[BigJon]

BigJon Your links don't work. figures...

:disa:

fixed it kinda....

[Hypnotist]

zippyjuan said
I have a couple of pictures posted on this site in some of their challenges under the name Jeffry Z: http://www.pbase.com/mtf_foto_studies Click on KM Mini Challenges , I have a couple under Challenges #38, 39, and 40 as well in the KM Challenge for Traffic under the Exhibition listing. There are a lot of good pictures here to get inspired by. You are capable of doing shots that can be posted here too.

ZJ... I think those are very good! Girl in fountain is wonderful. I'd enjoy seeing more.
BigJon... also very good! couldn't resist seeing Gabby... she's precious. You and your lady are very fortunate although I'll bet she's a "goofball" sometimes. Keep 'em comin' guys.

Anyone ever posted a got|pics? thread in OT? Prolly huh? Might be fun to create a gallery thread with competitive posting in various categories(kinda like KM), and vote for favorites-with the winners receiving free G|A T-shirts, or digital cameras and accessories, or trips to Europe and Polynesia in your new executive jet. Ya know, to further hone those artistic skills. Promotional gifts courtesy of... hmmmm... I dunno... G|A???? Wouldn't that be fun? BTW, I just love giving away the site's goodies........ when they get here... I'm sure they will... someday-maybe.

P.S. Somebody tell me how to use a camera... quick! I know there's a button on it somewhere. That's a good start, right?

[zippyjuan]

Thanks hypnotist! BigJon you have some nice ones there! And your daughter is a cutie! That must have been fun watching her wearing the hamper! Everybody sees things differently and that is what is interesting to me about photography. I want to share what I see with those around me. Some people are too busy to look at what goes on around them. Now I think I may want a site to host some of my pictures so I can share them more. The more you take, the more good ones you will get!

[BigJon]

I am all for a got|pictures thread where we can all post our work! I love looking at other people's photos...that's where good ideas are shared...just like we did here!

[Hypnotist]

Yoobet! I think a got|pics? thread could be quite sticky in OT. I know I'd be there. Sure would dovetail nicely with all the camera promotions around here. Plus, it just might ignite a spark in someone who'd otherwise never really pursue photography for fun... like me! You guys think there's enough interest, participants and currently available works to support this thread?

[donnar]

These are just some picture of our family I think I add too many borders http://share.shutterfly.com/action/share/welcome?i=EeAtGbho3cs2Fk&notag=1&x=1&sm=1&sl=1

[Cheesypuff]

great work...I like most of all how you used lines in most of your pictures, and how you used the rule of thirds to capture the subject

[Burzhui]

they're all underexposed by about a stop

[BigJon]

These are just some picture of our family I think I add too many borders http://share.shutterfly.com/action/share/welcome?i=EeAtGbho3cs2Fk&notag=1&x=1&sm=1&sl=1
Cute kids!

[Houdini]

I'm just starting out in digital photography myself (got a canon s410 for Christmas). I've been a film-only purist for a long time. My favorite filmstock has been Kodak E100VS for several years now. I'd post some pics, but I accidently killed my old computer, so I need to rescan a bunch of slides. At any rate, the suggestions offered here about basic composition are all great.

[Devhux]

HERE (http://members.shaw.ca/gurux/panorama.jpg) is a panorama that was taken at the same location. I don't like the sky, but it does paint a nice picture of how the scenery really was.

[BigJon]

Wicked...that's one sweet photo location.