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WPC 1312 - DIY ANALYSIS
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Mar 29, 2013 23:57:12   #
St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet
 
Nightski has graciously volunteered her WPC 1312 - DIY entry for critique and analysis to find out what she could have done to make it better. Be nice, but be honest as this will help everyone with their craft. Thank you Nightski and thank you everyone!

from WPC 1312 - DIY http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/photo_contest_ratings.jsp?pcnum=51

DIY PIE
DIY PIE...

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Mar 30, 2013 07:19:08   #
Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA
 
Either isolate the pie, with a hand giving and a hand receiving. Or, show an image of the pie in the making for the contest). Depends on the intent of the photograph. I find this image a mite cluttered.

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Mar 30, 2013 08:13:47   #
queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina
 
How can you possibly evaluate the picture without a taste of the pie?

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Mar 30, 2013 08:16:22   #
Al FR-153 Loc: Chicago Suburbs
 
I have a problem with somewhat conflicting shadows, and highlights on the apples conflicting with the direction of light. Also found issues with the white sugar being blown out and against a light background. If the sugar is necessary, maybe it should be moved to the lower left corner in lieu of the plate, or back in the shadows, swapping it with the butter. Just my opinion, but my eyes keep saying "Why the distraction?"

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Mar 30, 2013 08:31:51   #
donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida
 
The apparent idea behind the photo was to show what goes to making the Pie. I agree that it is a bit cluttered.
#1: The lighting is not even, to hot on the right side,
#2: The Mixer is out of focus and is a visual distraction,
#3: The back edge of the Table with the Apples is also distracting ( Busy),
#4: Suggest re-arranging the entire setup with only a portion of the Pie as the focal point and the other items as secondary. The Pie can be a strong foreground lower angle and the other items in the surround and back much smaller.

I like the story telling concept of the image.

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Mar 30, 2013 10:54:43   #
RMM Loc: Suburban New York
 
I agree, the lighting seems uneven, and the eye is drawn to the blown-out bright spots. Also, the light sources seem to be of different types, so there are bluish shadows and orangish highlights. My biggest problem with this is that I find it just too cluttered. The whole pie is there, and just about everything else is cut off, and to me, the result is just too chaotic.

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Mar 30, 2013 13:04:58   #
Nightski
 
Thanks everyone for your feedback. The lighting issue is certainly a valid one. My home has terrible lighting, so I taped a toy, led lantern to the bottom of the cupboard to brighten it up. I do not have a tripod, so a long exposure would not have been possible. I also do not have an external flash yet. I did have a time arranging all my things in a pleasing manner. It never occurred to me to cut some things out. I can think of a few things looking at it now that I could do without. Cutting the pie is NOT an option, as the lattice work is important to me, and I would not want it ruined in the photo. Someone was right that I was trying to show DIY by including items used to make it. One of my chief criticisms of the photo, is that I had the apples and the roller more in focus than the pie. I am surprised no one has mentioned that. Thanks everybody! Nightski :)

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Mar 30, 2013 13:16:01   #
St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet
 
It is so nice to have such dedicated friends here willing to help another. Thank you everyone!

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Mar 30, 2013 13:21:34   #
Nightski
 
I do have a question. It really is a small area, so why was I having so much trouble getting everything in focus. I was using auto focus. I had my center point set to focus there.

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Mar 30, 2013 13:34:57   #
scootersurfs Loc: Buckeye, Az
 
Nightski wrote:
I do have a question. It really is a small area, so why was I having so much trouble getting everything in focus. I was using auto focus. I had my center point set to focus there.

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Mar 30, 2013 13:35:21   #
gym Loc: Athens, Georgia
 
Nightski wrote:
I do have a question. It really is a small area, so why was I having so much trouble getting everything in focus. I was using auto focus. I had my center point set to focus there.


Your f/stop was f/4, and you took it at 1/5 sec. If it was 'hand held', there had to have been some motion blur. A higher f/stop would have brought more things into focus, and a faster shutter speed would have eliminated any movement blur.

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Mar 30, 2013 13:38:30   #
Nightski
 
gym wrote:
Your f/stop was f/4, and you took it at 1/5 sec. A higher f/stop would have brought more things into focus, and a faster shutter speed would have eliminated any movement blur.


Thank-you gym. I am continually thinking of the f/stop in the wrong way. I knew I didn't have much light, so I was thinking that I wanted to let as much light in as possible, while forgetting about the dof issue....I love your fox avatar.

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Mar 30, 2013 13:42:29   #
gym Loc: Athens, Georgia
 
Nightski wrote:
Thank-you gym. I am continually thinking of the f/stop in the wrong way. I knew I didn't have much light, so I was thinking that I wanted to let as much light in as possible, while forgetting about the dof issue....I love your fox avatar.


Another way to help speed things up and use a higher f/stop is to increase your ISO. You shot this pic at 200. With your camera, you could have gone much higher without suffering a lot of image quality.

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Mar 30, 2013 13:51:20   #
Nightski
 
gym wrote:
Another way to help speed things up and use a higher f/stop is to increase your ISO. You shot this pic at 200. With your camera, you could have gone much higher without suffering a lot of image quality.


Arrrg! I always forget that about the ISO. I get mixed up sometimes between what is good for action shots, and low light, or lot of light. I should make notes on my hand. Please don't anyone tell me to work in TV or Av. I am going to let the camera kick my butt until I get it right.

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Mar 30, 2013 14:12:39   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
St3v3M wrote:
Nightski has graciously volunteered her WPC 1312 - DIY entry for critique and analysis to find out what she could have done to make it better. Be nice, but be honest as this will help everyone with their craft. Thank you Nightski and thank you everyone!

from WPC 1312 - DIY http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/photo_contest_ratings.jsp?pcnum=51


Nothing looks particularly in focus. The white balance is way off and the shadows are harsh. Start by stopping down from f/4 to f/8 or f/11 and purchase a couple of inexpensive studio lights, reflector, diffuser, and an umbrella to soften the light. After you have the proper lighting and proper exposure with a greater DOF then you can shoot a white card and set a custom white balance. Once you have a well lit, well balanced exposure then you can work on composition. This part is up to you, the photographer; but sometimes less is more.

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