Lilypad52

Recently I went to Ft. Fisher, NC with the hubby. I was excited as it gave me a chance to see how well I'd improved over the last year. (HA. lol) I was pleased until I got home and realized some of my pictures were fuzzy, as can be noted in my second picture. after doing some research (thank you Photographylife) I realized my ISO was set too high. (I also learned a few other things I didn't know) Overall, though I was still very pleased with my results. The pelican did me in. I'm so proud. I should note these were taken with my Nikon D60.

Ft. Fisher, NC

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Yes, the second could have been really nice if sharper. I like the subtle tones in the sky. Level the horizon though. That is an Eastern or Atlantic Pelican? Looks a bit different than the Pacific or California ones I see. In future try to choose "store original" so we can all see a screen full size (and larger). Keep at it!

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

You should fix your horizons.

Lilypad52

Ok. Still learning the forum. Thanks for the tip. That is an east coast pelican, found in NC.

Lilypad52

I appreciate any advice as I am very much a beginner, do you have suggestions on how to fix my hoizons?

Joe Blow

#1) I like it. It is interesting and has a unique perspective. A keeper and deserving of printing and hanging on a wall.

#2&3) They don't do anything for me. They are nice, but uninteresting. (A breaking wave? Is that all ya got?) Sorry for the meanness, but this has been done so many times before and these shots bring nothing new to the game. They may for you, and that's fine, but not to a casual viewer. They need some attribute that makes them take the viewer's eyes and hold his interest.

#4) Very nice. I would have brought up the brightness a half to full stop in Post Processing. An alternative would be to try it in B&W.

What makes this a good shot is it's simplicity. It doesn't confuse the viewer as to what to look at. One of the biggest errors amateur photographers make is in having too many elements (subjects) competing against each other in their photograph. The viewer doesn't know what to look at. (see your #3, sunset) That is referred to as a "busy" photo. Here, the simplicity allows the viewer to just enjoy the pelican's action without distraction.

Thank you for sharing.

Lilypad52

Actually, breaking waves do something for me, and it's was a good chance for me to practice capturing movement. I'm sure it's 'been done' plenty of times, and mostly by beginners, like myself, who are practicing. But no, it wasn't 'all I got', it was all I was all I was willing to share at the moment. Sorta get my feet wet. (pun intended)

As for the sunset, it wasn't a sunset. It was, in fact, the sun hiding behind the clouds and I was attempting to capture the light. Just so you know.

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

You would need to do that in post processing. For example,
in Lightroom you would use a leveling tool and trace it along
the horizon in the picture and it would correct any tilt.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

You say horizonS ....Which are you speaking of??? as I only see one that needs to be fixed

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

Second and third picture. The third is more subtle, but off.
I spent years making ocean pictures and can tell if a horizon
is off by half a mm.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

You have an eye for good subjects Lilypad.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

I can certainly see it in #2 but I think in #3 it is just the angle the photo was taken in...

Lilypad52

That could be, as I was on a boat..

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Oh and great photo's by the way....

Lilypad52

Thank you. Wait till you see my cows... :D