Jbertken

Hi !

I'm new to this site and want to get some feed back on some pictures I took a couple of years ago while my wife and I were hiking a mountain in the southern part of South Korea. we live in South Korean and I have taken many pics - but I am truly an amateur. I do things because I think it looks good, not really because I know the art of photography. Anyway, I would like some feedback on the composition of these pics.

Thanks,
John

Stan W. Loc: Tampa, Fl

Very Nice!

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Great set, I was up North for 18 mo.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

They look lovely...welcome to the forum.

ebcobol

I think they are great but you might try shifting you primary subject away from the center a little. I think 2 is fine but a little boring.

Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA

All nice but in the second, if you had been able to get a bit higher and eliminated the out of focus rock it would have been much cleaner looking. Sometimes it is impossible to move the subject away from center, but if the colorful peak was a bit to either side (and the out of focus rock was gone), the perspective would change a lot.

In the fourth and fifth, had you had been able to take the photos from a lower angle (and get the subject off center in the fourth) they would have been composed even better.

Try to only have three objects in a photo, for example, in the second photo, there are four objects (subjects) in the photo; the sky, the far mountain range, the closer colorful peak and the out of focus rock. In the first, you have three main objects, the waterway, the buildings and ship and the sky, but the ship is right in the center. And. as was already said, try to keep the main object/subject away from the center of the photo. Just a few things to think about :-)

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

The essential element in knowing "the art of photography", i.e. composition etcetera, is knowing what YOU think looks good.

A common misunderstanding is wanting to make images that are what everyone else likes. Each of us is unique, and an average of everyone's likes is a boring mediocre image that can virtually never be that fantastic wall hanger you want!

Study images you like, to ascertain what about them attracts your attention. Then learn how to get those characteristics into your own work.

You will hear a lot about Rules-Of-Thumb, and in response to queries such as the one you have posed most of the replies, even if they never mention it as a ROT, will in fact cite nothing but one or more of the common Rules-Of-Thumb.

Ignore Rules-Of-Thumb when making photographs! They are to learn about photography, but not something used to produce photography!

For example you do want to experiment at least once, perhaps only by looking at images but maybe even taking a few, with the Rule Of Thirds. Then NEVER bother to think about it again for even a second. Absolutely do not ever measure distances in an image to judge placement of objects when composing or cropping!

The appropiate method is to look at the EFFECT of different placement and choose what LOOKS best to you. A lot of things will have an effect, such as colors and shapes and sizes. Measured lines are meaningless.

Your query will get a nice introduction to the rules of composotion! But... keep the words of Edward Weston in mind:

"Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph , is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk."

Jbertken

Thank you for all of your responses. One of the nice things about living in Asia is the vast opportunities for travel, and beautiful subjects for photos. This Spring we are going to go to Bali, and I'm thinking about the possibilities for a photo essay and also a short film (videography is another new hobby I'm trying to learn).

Any feedback or ideas are also welcome!

Thanks!
John

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

Nice ones John.

angela k Loc: Long Island

Welcome to the UHH family and I enjoyed your first post!! Beautiful composition, colors and reflection!! Looking forward to more!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

You are doing very well for a beginner, so just keep shooting! Follow the great cogent advise that apaflow gave you, he knows what he's talking about.

KWK Loc: Southeast Mich

nice photos

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Welcome John. Nice photographs. I visited SK while in the Navy. Lovely place, lovely people and great food! Cheers.