St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

cam20000's WPC Entry has been selected for the Photo Critique Forum* to find out what could have done to make it better.

Be nice, but be honest as this may help everyone with their craft. Thank you everyone!

From WPC 1604 - Metal RESULTS http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/photo_contest_ratings.jsp?pcnum=206

* If you are new to the Photo Critique Forum please read the Section Rules http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-279264-1.html
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Metal Wheel-work on an old Dam

(Download)

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Aesthetically I like the composition and intent by the artist. From a technical view, the histogram shows the blacks/darks are very clipped and the whites/brights... well there are none. The bright channels only go to approximately 66% of what they could have been. Some simple PP would have helped this image tell a more interesting story but as it stands the story I get is a dull and dreary lifeless cog and wheel waiting for the inevitable end. I would have started with a +1 stop in exposure and proceed from there to balance the tonal range. Over all it was a good start but had no follow through. IMHO :D

cam20000 Loc: NH

Good Afternoon big-guy. Thank you for your professional photographic opinion. I have much to learn on usage and understanding "the camera" I mostly take wildlife shots, having only a few seconds to focus and shoot; and thus far in automatic only. I cropped this "Metal Wheel" and slightly adjusted in "Photos" Wish their was someone to show me "settings" as it is much easier to learn that way then reading from a booklet.
As you said "a good start" now I need to follow through with using the cameras brain, Sincerely Heidi

forjava Loc: Half Moon Bay, CA

Rendering
-Nice separation of subject and background.
-I like the texture detail, with no need for reflections in this subject; depth is helped by the grays in the round holes.

Cropping
-The shaft at left is shown completely, not chopped off at an arbitrary point. Good.
-A square frame for this composition might have made it possible to include all of the screw mount at the top.
-A square frame could reinforce the subject's inherent idleness.

Storytelling
-The equipment is not decayed but it is idle. Why? Perhaps the answer lives in history and innovation -- or is it lost in the mists of time?
-Powerful. I have to linger.

cam20000 Loc: NH

Good Evening forjava . Thank you for taking the time to "Critique" this photo. I believe each photo tells a story and I really like your randition & quotes :thumbup:
I agree that a square frame may have helped. Including a full photo for you to see "the rest of the story" I cropped and changed to black and white, possibly to keep some of the story hidden , Sincerely Heidi

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Looking at the original, and having worked with film, as well as printing black & white in a darkroom many years ago, I see a few improvements that you could try on a re-shoot.

First, is it possible to get any closer to your subject, or zoom in a little closer. The reason I ask, is because the focus isn't sharp on what ended up being the main subject. If you do go back to do a reshoot, check out the perspective by moving around to set up in different places, and at different heights.

Second, because of the lighting conditions, the shot is slightly over exposed. By bracketing your shots, and trying several different under and over exposed attempts, you will often hit on the correct exposure for your compositions. If you don't have a local photography mentor, checking your useer manual will show you how to do this.

Are you using a tripod? Using a tripod, allows you to make the exposure adjustments, without changing the angle of the shots. If you don't already have either a wired or wireless shutter release, you might want to check into what is available for your particular camera. This will reduce any camera shake when using a longer exposure time.

Your future equipment purchases will depend on the types of pictures you intend to take. If you find that you want to purchase additional lenses, consider renting first, or purchasing used from a reputable dealer, either locally, or online. Folks here on UHH, find that one of the better online dealers is B&H, and there are a few others.

Check to see if there is a local photography MeetUp group in your area. Often you can join, and someone there will be able to show you some techniques to improve your skills.

Start to change from fully automatic, and experiment with both shutter and aperture priority settings. But when you're out shooting with snow on the ground, change over to manual mode after the camera has determined the settings, and close up your f-stop one or two settings (move to a higher f-stop number), to compensate for the light reflecting off of the snow.

A lower f-stop number will give you a shallower depth of field, and will blur the foreground and background. A higher f-stop number will give you a deeper depth of field, and more of your shot will be in focus. You will need to decide how much of your shot you want in focus. Is the background dustracting? If the answer is yes, then lower the f-stop number and blur or boken the the background.

In full manual, you can't bracket, so you need to manipulate your shutter speed and f-stops to compensate for your lighting conditions.

The great thing about digital, is that you can delete the failures at no extra cost. Back in the days of film, you needed to keep a log of your settings, and review what worked in different kinds of lighting conditions, and what didn't work. The cost of the film, and processing often became prohibitive if you had a high percentage of failures.

You might want to keep a log of what settings work for you in certain lighting situations.

Erdos2 Loc: Vancouver, WA

As an old mechanical engineer, I really like this photo, and probably would have voted for it in the contest if I had taken the time to go vote. I need to be less busy.

It does seem to be slightly out of focus, so it could be slightly sharper.

I disagree that it is over exposed. It appears to be a very bright scene (outside in direct sunshine?), but the high end is about right in my opinion. I like to see at least a hint of what is in the shadows, mostly because in real life our eyes will adjust to the different brightnesses of the scene to let use see what is in the shadows. Therefore I would bring up the dark areas a little bit (still needs to be an obvious shadow). If you were to go back and retake the shot, this might be a good candidate for HDR as long as it wasn't overdone. (or shoot it on a cloudy day)

Jerry

cam20000 Loc: NH

Good Afternoon Szalajj- You have a lot of great suggestions ; and I have a lot of learning :shock: I do have a wonderful tripod ( but haven't used it lately) I have heard of a group of photographers in the local area; now to try and find the time.

I can go back and "re-take" the subject from a few different angles and I can definitely get a closer shot. I do have a meter for light but haven't figured out to use it yet.

I appreciate everything you have suggested and hopefully over time will learn to understand "the camera" Respectfully , Heidi

cam20000 Loc: NH

Good Afternoon Erdos2, The photo was taken on a bright day- I can go back and re-shoot for a sharper picture. Although I do not have a mechanical background ; the workings fascinate me!
I have been working in "Photos" and try my best, by eye to utilize what I have. I will in the future try what you have suggested.

I believe this piece had fallen over down into the dam & lifted to where she sits now. My personal computer is down and in repair or I could bring up an older photo of what I believe is the same workings. Again thank you for taking the time to explain your knowledge of photography :thumbup: :thumbup:

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Let your camera determine your lighting for now. Using a light meter is another learning curve that for now is not necessary, as long as your camera is fairly accurate.

But, that's where playing with your settings comes in. From your initial shot, you will get an idea if you have under or over exposed the shot. Even if you feel it's OK, make those adjustments. Often a good shot can go to WOW when you make those setting changes. We all learn something new, almost every time we go out to shoot.

Vary your subject matter, until you find a genre you prefer to shoot.

A former instructor had us go out, and shoot subjects that formed letters of the alphabet, back when I was shooting Black & White film, and spending the time in the darkroom developing the film, and printing some of the shots.

You would be surprised at how ordinary everyday objects can become works of art when you take the time to compose your shot, work with the ambient light, and sometimes use a fill or bounce flash to bring out the highlights.

MeetUp groups get together periodically. Some will meet weekly, others have a more casual schedule, and a variety of locations that they go to. My local group takes suggestions for future locations.

Depending on what kinds of subjects you like to shoot, or would like to shoot in the future, select your local group accordingly.

Last year, I took a Digital Photography class for college credit. For most of the semester, my camera case, then backpack was carried everywhere I went. The one day that I hadn't grabbed it, I passed a Bald Eagle on my way to work. I kicked myself, because it was never in the area again. I looked for it every day, but I never saw it again.

You can always make time to stop to snap a shot. You just need to develop an eye for composition.

I don't know how much of my daily commute was spent trying to compose shots for my class assignments, but it was a majority of it. Because I was working a swung shift, it was often dark when I left work at night, so I would look for subjects and settings to shoot on weekends, when time was limited.

I spent a lot of time trying to find something, other than the 100" of snow that we got last year, to shoot from the end of January to the end of March, because it was really slim pickings for the first two months of my class.

I just noticed you're located in NH. Where in NH.

Nightski

I liked it right away. The Wheel is sharp and the angle of light enhances it's shape and texture. I like your DOF. The creamy background makes it stand out. The blacks (shadows) don't bother me so much. I think they are part of what gives it dimension.

cam20000 Loc: NH

Thank you Nightski- I think a lot of "first feelings" are subjects or objects that spark's an old interest or familiarity -like an old friend. Thank you for taking the time to respond, Sincerely Heidi

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Impact: immediate, strong, gripping
Tech: well rendered in tonal range and spectrum to attain the stated impact. Focus good with subject well within DOF.
Composition:
main wheel axis askew to left, but offset with the two, almost horizontal members that help regain all balance. Adds to depth; well done

Impact:4
Tech:4.5
Comp:4.5
total: 13/15
Excellent in all regards

Dave in SD

cam20000 Loc: NH

Good Morning Dave - Thank you for your most "calculated" critique. I would assume with your unequivocal reviewal, you to be an engineer?
I admire your style and technique and having taken the time to assess this antique "Metal" machinery. I feel very honored , Sincerely Heidi

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Hi, cam,
No, not an engineer, just some years experience as a judge of art/photography shows and contests. I'm glad you appreciate the approach (by no means original with me!) Learned it in the 60s, made sense to me, so have practiced it ever since then. with practice, and taking the opportunity to re-evaluate artworks one has previously judged, one gains consistency.
Anyway, I've very much enjoyed your image!
Dave