rleonetti Loc: Portland, Oregon

Feedback on all topics appreciated: composition, subject, post-processing...

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n3eg Loc: West coast USA

You mean Oysterville, on the Long Beach Peninsula, right?

Not bad, considering you were there on one of the 364 days a year they have this kind of weather.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

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mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

To be honest, the composition of the first one leaves me cold, but I like the other two, especially the buiding. Consider a mono conversion because of your subjects, the textures and the contrast. I took the liberty of doing a quick and dirty conversion to give you an idea of where my thinking is. I hope you don't mind. They are by no means finished products. I thought the grittiness of the man's face is more evident in mono. And in the picture of the building all that green grass and blue sky overwhelms and distracts the eye from the main subject, the building itself and that wonderful tree. Additionally, mono makes the surroundings look more desolate and to my eye, more interesting than your color version.

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DickC Loc: NE Washington state

I like the B&W conversions mwsilvers made, B&W made the two photos interesting!! IMHO

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Thanks. They were both converted in Silver Efex Pro with only a few minutes of effort, but the OPs nice original compositions are what made this possible. I love shooting in color, but sometimes depending on the image, color can distract the eye from seeing interesting forms and textures and their relationship to each other. Color can also can also diminish the mood and the emotional impact of a scene. It just seemed to me that those two photos would be more striking and meaningful in B&W. Although I was pretty sure it would improve the image, I was actually a bit surprised how well the building in the field converted, .

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

#1 - there is a lot going on, with much background clutter and no clean lines of the closest boat. In this uninteresting light, I am thinking a close-up of some of the boat's features might be of more interest.

#2 - first thing I notice is the whiter elements in the background. I would recommend a much shallower depth of field or tighter framing on the man's face. If the background was water or interesting boats instead of chain link fence, truck and metal building, I'd view differently. B&W is a good option here. Along with mwsilvers' excellent comments, ask yourself, "what does color add to this image?"

#3 - again you're dealing with a featureless sky and your subject details are rather dark. The b&w route, as mwsilvers demonstrates, and adjusting exposure either in pp or onsite would bring our attention to the textures and details of the clutter around the cabin. I'd consider cropping a little off the foreground too, as it doesn't add to the composition IMO.

For future, assess the light and look at the sky to help you decide whether including it helps or hinders. Be very mindful of what is behind your subject and adjust your perspective and/or depth of field to minimize or exclude that which doesn't add to the story you're trying to tell.

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One possibility done with a limited-feature Chromebook app. I'd darken the garage roof more.


Do you find interest in the repeating shapes of the boats? (increased contrast also)


Again, a quick Chromebook app to make the image sharper and all about shapes and lines.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I like your crop of the rugged fisherman and your mono conversion of the otherwise cluttered and uninteresting fishing boat. I'm not sure about cropping the image of the building which I think in its present form conveys the vastness of the open space around it and a sense of loneliness and even abandonment. The OP asked for critiques, I hope he meant it and is not insulted by our comments.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

Nice set but I particularly like #2. The many long years of very hard work show on this fellow. What an interesting shot.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Though I would not have posted photo examples if you hadn't already - ha! - the feedback I gave is just one person's opinion, a non-pro at that, and should be taken merely as my heartfelt intent to help OP see his/her work through others' eyes, with suggestions for future.

Anyone asking for feedback should sift through all comments and take what may be of value to them, while discarding the rest. I spend a lot of time in one of UHH's sub-forums, For Your Consideration, where this is much of what we do. No one's opinion should ever be taken as absolute truth.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Completely agree. However, I've also found that occasionally when people post what they consider good photos, they are expecting positive comments and praise rather than an actual critique, and don't take it well.

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

I like all three of them, rleonetti! Well done!

rleonetti Loc: Portland, Oregon

Thanks for the feedback. I learned a few things and will try again to invite comments.