Photography Critique

tht00 · 11-02-2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApparentlyNothing

Well, for reference, here's one of my photos untouched and one with post-processing.

The top is untouched and the bottom is after post-processing. It was a pretty dark, cloudy day. I used a couple techniques to get that specific look besides a general exposure and levels adjustment. The first was to duplicate the layer, then set the top layer to "Soft Light" blending mode, and mixed it in with the opacity. It gives the photo a little more "pop" overall and a bit more contrast. The color effect is all from Curves that I adjusted myself.

I'd really like to get to the point where I need to use as little post-processing as possible. But I'm not quite there yet, nor do I have the gear probably to help with that. I have a friend who's photos look really good, and I just assumed she did at least some post-processing to get the kinda colors and depth that she got in some of them, but I found out that she actually did little to no post-processing whatsoever. Knowing that, the photos impressed me even more.

Sweet. That'll be something I'll have to play with eventually. It really brings the photos to life... in a sort of artistic way. Thanks for sharing that.

**Rainer.** · 11-02-2007, 11:04 PM

I also find that, like mixing music, everyone seems to have their own particular post-processing styles. It's interesting.

leenieweenie · 11-05-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lehigh

Here's a couple of mine, just messing around one afternoon with my Nikon D50...

I really like the colors in this one. I like the blue in the backround. I assume it's the sky. Also, there is a lot of green, which I am sort of biased about. (it's my favorite color). Overall, probably my second favorite out of the ones you posted.

Quote:

Awesome picture. I don't know if you were going for this, but it looks like the fingers are just lightly holding it. Enough to keep a good grip, but delicate at the same time. Like the guitar in itself is precious and the hand doesn't want to hurt it. Also, I like how however's hand that is (is it your's?) in the picture isn't all nice and pristine. Around the fingernails, there is a little bit of skin peeling. I think it worked out really well. Again, awesome picture.

**Rainer.** · 11-05-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lehigh

I think the issue I have with this one is an overall sort of darkness in the image (I'd process it to increase contrast), and the fact that there are two subjects which split the image into two halves, which doesn't make for a very strong composition, as there is no particular center of attention.

Quote:

Cute, but the subject is centered, which, again, isn't very compositionally strong. I'd try to get a closer perspective on the child in order to get a bit more of an intimate feel, and keep the subject of interest off to one side.

Quote:

Nice. I'd increase the contrast a bit on this one, as well.

Cadence · 11-06-2007, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lehigh

Here's a couple of mine, just messing around one afternoon with my Nikon D50...

I like the colors, and the composition isn't bad - though I agree that having two subjects kind of throws things off, but it's not the worst thing.

The only qualms I have about this is that it's in direct sunlight. The best thing to have done was to take this on an overcast day or to use some sort of diffusion between the sun and the subject to soften the sunlight.

Quote:

The colors and contrast are great. They're not to saturated or way too contrasty, but at the same time has punch to it. That's something I'm always trying to get, but fail most of the time.

It's a lovely moment that would've been better suited with getting a little lower and cropping in just a little.

Quote:

First and foremost...it's out of focus. That's no bueno.

Secondly...you cut off his fingers and he's got a floating head.

Third...there's too many grays in your black and white. You need more blacks and more whites.

I see you've definitely got potential, and you've got a good enough camera to learn with. So keep it up

**Rainer.** · 11-06-2007, 08:08 AM

A good rule for contrast in black and white photos is make sure you have true black, and make sure you have true white (and enough of each), and then make sure you're getting all the values in between.

Lehigh · 11-06-2007, 09:21 AM

Thanks for the reviews... none of the photos had any post-processing done on them, that's something I'm planning on learning more about in the near future. (hoping for some decent photo-editing software for christmas)

The pic of my son was a quick candid shot, and I didn't think to take much time to compose it, plus I didn't want to wake him.

As for the black and whites, I'd never tried B&W before, and they were taken by myself using a timer. The hand and guitar one was a little easier because I could at least set the focus on the guitar, hit the shutter button, and then just place my hand on the guitar. The portrait was difficult because I had to try to guess where the focal point was and where I was in the frame. Just experimenting really.

Thanks again!

LC7rock · 11-07-2007, 01:40 PM

I had to lower the quality of this one to fit on the sight (it was originally an 8 megapixel pic)

**Rainer.** · 11-07-2007, 05:50 PM

I think you have to get it to around 800x600 for it to actually fit on the site... now it's stretching like crazy.

I think the subject is interesting, composition is decent. On critique I would say is that you don't quite have the highlights in this shot as could possibly be present, so a longer exposure could have been a bit better.

Ryan Freeland · 11-18-2007, 08:14 PM

Hammer away.

**Rainer.** · 11-18-2007, 09:57 PM

First image is the strongest of the lot. I like the focus and how the composition highlights the textures and lines on the leaf. The stems also make very nice leading lines.

The second is an interesting study in color. Your leaf takes up fully one half of the frame, though. I'd personally go for thirds. Also, for some reason this image seems a bit harsh on my eyes.

The third one is also nice, though slightly, slightly confusing due to all the leaves. I might have done a selective and very slight desaturization on all the leaves except the red one, and parhaps darkened the right area a bit, though this one might be pretty good as is, as well.

**Rainer.** · 11-22-2007, 10:20 PM

Is the red from the flash going through your hand? I've done that before. It's interesting.

ApparentlyNothing · 11-22-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PontiusPirate

I liked the effect I got on this picture. I used a low shutter speed and used my hand to diffuse the on-camera flash.

I like how grainy it is especially. Interesting and creative technique.

bowstaff981 · 12-04-2007, 04:22 PM

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

This was my first time taking pictures in about three months, and my first time ever taking serious color photographs. Next time I need to cut down on my exposure time or aperture because I tended to get washed out images and I had to do some post processing, which I despise doing. These were all taken on film and then given to Walgreens to put onto a disc.

ApparentlyNothing · 12-18-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowstaff981

This was my first time taking pictures in about three months, and my first time ever taking serious color photographs. Next time I need to cut down on my exposure time or aperture because I tended to get washed out images and I had to do some post processing, which I despise doing. These were all taken on film and then given to Walgreens to put onto a disc.

I really like the second one. Interesting perspective and colors/textures.

I had my first wedding shoot last weekend. Here are a few of the first edits from it. I also got to use my new 50mm f/1.8 lens for most of it. I already know what some of the problems are with some of these pics, but it will be interesting to see if anyone else thinks the same.

These two were at the rehearsal. They sang "At Last" by Etta James. It was amazing.