Critique My Image

ben_dmb

Yes, I know. It is one of those scenarios were something has to be sacrificed. And this is one of the reasons a chose this photograph.

michael66

Yes, I know. It is one of those scenarios were something has to be sacrificed. And this is one of the reasons a chose this photograph.

Sometimes, these are better than nothing...

I shot this bird back at the beginning of February. He ( she? ) was quite shy and it was impossible to get him in a clear line of sight. This was as good as it got and he was gone again in seconds. I was shooting some BIF and noticed him standing there waiting for a handout. I had managed to swing over, focus and snap. He took the proffered snack and ran. Other birders were asking, "You got him?" "Almost." "Better than I ever got." Oh, well...

So. Crappy? Yeah. Will this ever sell or be hung on the wall? No. But I got something and I'd rather have it than nothing.

Msmoto

@ben_dmb

Yes, better

Rx4Photo

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Max203

Hi,

Can't find an obvious way of posting an image here, if anyone could suggest how would love to get some feedback.

Thanks

elopez95

This is my new favorite picture so any ideas to improve it are appreciated.

Benji2505

Max203:

there is a thread about this adventure, here is the short version, all quote from MsMoto:
NEW INSTRUCTIONS: Posting from Flickr

From your Photostream,
Click on a picture.
On the right of the image will be a box with an arrow coming from it. Click this box.
Click on the “Medium size down arrow to open the size menu.
Click on Medium 640 for correct size for NRF.
Check the HTML box.
Copy the code, making certain you get it all.
Paste this code in the composing box on NRF.

Benji2505

elopez95:

content:
life style shot, women playing with kite, women seems to be in motion, season is spring season. Picture transports some delight feeling. I like the content.

technicals:

subject: is in focus and can be identified immediately. Secondary subject kite is interesting. Subject could have faced the camera, but hey, can't have it all, correct? I like it.
background: leads viewer through the picture and puts the subject in context. Maybe that post on the right is slightly distracting, but no biggy. Very good.
composition: subject is in a good location in the picture. Multiple lines leading to the subject. 10/10
Light: colors come out nicely, shadows are exposed well. Maybe some blown highlights in the clouds - a little structure in the clouds would increase the drama. Many interesting color contrasts in the picture. Very good

Conclusion: No wonder you like it, I think it is a great picture as well.

spraynpray

For my money, the kite/plane could have been higher so it was surrounded by sky. As a generalisation, it works that you should always try tonot have the horizon cutting your subjects.

Msmoto

@elopez95

I love the technical presentation…."clean". Subject is great. I do agree fully with spraynpray….horizons are vicious at cutting things in two….kite in the sky would be the photo…IMO

Max203

Thank you Benji2505

Following your instructions, here is my image.

It's my first attempt at indoor sports, and as the research said it would be, lighting was not easy. Shot with D7100, 2.8, 800th sec, 4000 ISO.

Any feedback welcome:



Thanks

Ade

@Max203

Wow ISO 4000, looks great!

If there are enough pixels might crop the picture very tightly, maybe crop out the bottom 1/3rd of the picture (and sides) entirely for a close-up of the battle above.

Max203

Thanks Ade,

The wonders of LR5 and it's noise reduction! It was a true test and I wouldn't like to go much higher than 4000 on this body.

It's RAW, so cropping possible, I'm guessing that would bring out more noise though? It is the most interesting part in my opinion, I also like the view of the jump. I don't find myself cropping that often, don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing!

elopez95

I really find this thread helpful; thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. I'm interested to know what you would do differently to this image in post. I really like the content of the image but I'm conflicted with the edit. In retrospect I realize that I should have raised the ISO more since I was handholding it with a 1/20 shutter speed. I'll just chalk that one up to another newbie mistake.

Msmoto

First of all, elopez95, I like the high contrast images with bright lights…. however, if one really wants to get a night shot with some sense of atmosphere, timing with the sunlight is essential. Or shoot a multiple image HDR a technique Golf007sd is familiar with. The goal, IMO, is to avoid the burn out around the highlights (seen in the full size version) and have some shadow detail.

In your image, I would pull up the shadows and pull down the highlights.

These night shots are not easy to do and are very time consuming as are many nice images.

Another way to do this night stuff is here:


This was shot at about 8 AM, as I remember, then processed in Lightroom to create a night shot. In addition, some of the neon lights, not functioning in the original image, were added, albeit with minimal skill…LOL

michael66

This was taken about two weeks ago;



I'd like some suggestions for next time. It was shot with a D7100, Tamron 24-70 @70, f/2.8, 1/40, ISO 800, no flash, manual focus. For some reason, AF was going nuts. It was quite crowded and using a tripod was dubious. Obvious faults; softish focus & harsh glare. I don't have an 82mm polarizer, but would that even have helped on a metal object?

Msmoto

@michael66

In crowds the camera position is always potentially compromised. For your shot I might have moved so as to avoid the head having the name directly behind it…maybe move up (stilts, LOL) or camera on monopod to get the name over the head, or drop down so it comes across the shoulder area.

I like the lighting, possibly pulling down the highlights in post processing would be good. And, the tonal range/color is outstanding, IMO.

WestEndBoy

I have been experimenting with shooting into the sun at golden hour. I would be curious what you guys thought of this one. Do you think I am on the right track? What can I improve?



D800, AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G, ISO 450, 85mm, f/2.5, 1/400 sec

Ade

@michael66

Handheld & low-light, a polarizer is probably not the answer because the amount of light it cuts (up to 2-stops loss). You'll have to further raise your ISO which compresses your dynamic range even more. As it is your shutter speed is on the low-side although you have VR on that 24-70.

@WestEndBoy

I've found with strong backlit or high-key situations you often need to have the subject fill the frame more, especially when shooting verticals. Otherwise the composition feels very loose (w/ lots of "empty" white space) unless there are other strong elements in the picture.

paulr

@ WestEndBoy
Sorry but I don't think the image works. The light from the top of the image distracts when I presume the model is the main subject. The whole image has a flatness to it, Perhaps if you had turned the model so that the evening light casted a shadow onto her face and created more detail. The Nikon 1.4 85mm lens has incredible Boken and is the perfect lens for portraits but you have made the image into a landscape /portrait and is communally known as too busy, and I tend to agree with Ade that more of the model filling the Frame would have been better. Sorry don't wish to offend, but hope constructive criticism.

Msmoto

@WestEndBoy

I like the idea you are trying something different. "High Key" style photography is an art. In your image there is a lot of space which I do not understand. I agree with Ade about getting closer. Or, the use of a large white area for compositional reasons may be indicated, but to have some nondescript background…I am not sure.

I might suggest, a large (>6' x 6') white reflector into which you bounce a flash to fill the face can be used with a light background. A simple reflector generally makes it difficult to have a model with open eyes, so flash is necessary. Try this with a very simple light background ( maybe sky) and a small amount of flare to your liking…. This is all about experimentation….

WestEndBoy

That is good feedback, thanks.

I knew there was issues with it, but was curious what you guys thought they would be. If it was easy enough to nail the first time trying it, it wouldn't be as interesting.

michael66

@michael66

In crowds the camera position is always potentially compromised. For your shot I might have moved so as to avoid the head having the name directly behind it…maybe move up (stilts, LOL) or camera on monopod to get the name over the head, or drop down so it comes across the shoulder area.

I like the lighting, possibly pulling down the highlights in post processing would be good. And, the tonal range/color is outstanding, IMO.

Okay, I'll get myself some stilts. Does RSS make good ones? Kidding aside, I did go back to the Tidal Basin at sunrise and got some wonderful peach colored marble. The same lighting might do interesting things to Thomas. The memorial is open 24x7 so maybe an even later night visit is called for.

@michael66

Handheld & low-light, a polarizer is probably not the answer because the amount of light it cuts (up to 2-stops loss). You'll have to further raise your ISO which compresses your dynamic range even more. As it is your shutter speed is on the low-side although you have VR on that 24-70.

If I do manage to get in there at a less crowded moment I'll have to use that pretty new tripod I bought.

Msmoto, Ade, thanks for your thoughts.

cbg

The monuments are night are completely different than during the day, not just the lack of crowds, but you can get some very unique shots without using a flash.

WestEndBoy

Is this better? It is an image shot at the same time as the other, but with cropping. MSMoto, I will experiment with you lighting comments as they are quite intriguing.



D800, AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G, ISO 500, 85mm, f/2.5, 1/400 sec