Honest and helpful critique appreciated.
Oct 27, 2013 15:31:12 #
I know how I feel about this photo, but would like some others input. Please don't be mean, but be honest.
Oct 27, 2013 15:39:30 #
Honest: What is the story you are trying to tell?
If I may offer a suggestion, crop it and crop it a lot drawing the viewer into the duck in the middle including whatever else you like.
We need a focal point and without it will move on. I hope this helps. Steve
If I may offer a suggestion, crop it and crop it a lot drawing the viewer into the duck in the middle including whatever else you like.
We need a focal point and without it will move on. I hope this helps. Steve
Oct 27, 2013 15:42:18 #
Hi Sue. I think you've taken a nice photo. I'm not qualified to critique anyone else's photos. I'm just writing to share something I do with my own photos. I'm not big on post processing but do spend some time trying various ways to crop my pictures. I find that a change in cropping can create an entirely different picture. In the end, you're the one who should be happy with your photo. Good luck.
John
Whoops. Steve's post wasn't there when I wrote this.
John
Whoops. Steve's post wasn't there when I wrote this.
Oct 27, 2013 15:42:18 #
Hi Sue, thanks for offering your image for critique. I find myself wanting to see one of the ducks more close-up, especially if there is an interesting reflection to capture. Or a shot of just a few ducks with water patterns.
For a general scenic of a peaceful summer's day, the setting is not ideal because of the concrete. Would be more pleasing IMO to have something like lush greenery.
All the best.
For a general scenic of a peaceful summer's day, the setting is not ideal because of the concrete. Would be more pleasing IMO to have something like lush greenery.
All the best.
Oct 27, 2013 15:43:09 #
smcaleer wrote:
I know how I feel about this photo, but would like some others input. Please don't be mean, but be honest.
This photo may be valuable to you personally as a way to remember a nice day or occurrence, and that is fine.
As to it's composition, a key element for an image to grab attention, it is simply too busy. Many subjects vie for the eye to attempt to settle on. There is no discernible main subject, but many lessor ones without having a pleasing cohesion, such as repeating identical shapes, etc. You could experiment with different crops to attain a better composition.
Hope this helps. :)
Edit: I was typing while several others posted. Sorry for any redundant critique I may have given. 8-)
Oct 27, 2013 15:46:38 #
Bmac wrote:
Edit: I was typing while several others posted. Sorry for any redundant critique I may have given. 8-)
Edit: I was typing while several others posted. Sorry for any redundant critique I may have given. 8-)
Same thing happened to me; there must have been 4 of us typing at the same time!
Oct 27, 2013 15:47:40 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Same thing happened to me; there must have been 4 of us typing at the same time!
I think we are all saying the same thing though - a crop will bring the subject into focus!
Oct 27, 2013 17:23:51 #
I use a method of judging my own work that looks at these factors:
Composition, Color contrast, Technique.
The purpose intended for the image will also be an influence.
As an outsider, I look for it's Technical Quality, Artistic, Historic or Documentary, and Emotional Value.
If I can get three or four of these in one picture, It's a great shot.
Photo's need Visual Impact! They should say something that most viewers understand right away. No explanation needed. The shot speaks louder than words, or is worth a thousand words.
If the photo is too busy, it tends to loose focus. I suggest simplifying the main subject of the scene and move in on it.
So this photo raises a question, What's the point?
What are you saying to the viewer? Could it be made stronger? and What could you change to do that?
Composition, Color contrast, Technique.
The purpose intended for the image will also be an influence.
As an outsider, I look for it's Technical Quality, Artistic, Historic or Documentary, and Emotional Value.
If I can get three or four of these in one picture, It's a great shot.
Photo's need Visual Impact! They should say something that most viewers understand right away. No explanation needed. The shot speaks louder than words, or is worth a thousand words.
If the photo is too busy, it tends to loose focus. I suggest simplifying the main subject of the scene and move in on it.
So this photo raises a question, What's the point?
What are you saying to the viewer? Could it be made stronger? and What could you change to do that?
Oct 27, 2013 19:14:50 #
Way too busy picture as everybody has said, will make several good shots with different Crops.
I am curious to see if we will get your take on it.
I am curious to see if we will get your take on it.
Oct 27, 2013 20:31:58 #
Seeing as everyone is saying about the same thing I will just use this reply to respond to everyone.
Thank you all. I too felt it was too busy and didn't like the composition. Honestly, when I took the photo I had just gotten a camera and was taking photos for an assignment in an intro to digital photography class.
That being said, I was happy to see that the black and white duck came out fairly clear (that's my subject) and that's what I was going for here. I've played around with different cropping and I'm still not thrilled. I guess it's a miss for me. I think the duck is beautiful, but he just doesn't shine here. I do prefer this crop to the uncropped version.
Do you feel the same way? Is it still not working? Should I just toss it if it's not doing it for me?
Thank you all. I too felt it was too busy and didn't like the composition. Honestly, when I took the photo I had just gotten a camera and was taking photos for an assignment in an intro to digital photography class.
That being said, I was happy to see that the black and white duck came out fairly clear (that's my subject) and that's what I was going for here. I've played around with different cropping and I'm still not thrilled. I guess it's a miss for me. I think the duck is beautiful, but he just doesn't shine here. I do prefer this crop to the uncropped version.
Do you feel the same way? Is it still not working? Should I just toss it if it's not doing it for me?
Oct 27, 2013 20:38:45 #
A grand improvement! The eye flows easily to the eye of the duck in the foreground and lands there. That becomes the focus for our attention. We now relate to this creature as the one in the background complements it. I believe you've got it. I look forward to seeing your future photos and what your imagination will come up with next.
Oct 27, 2013 21:14:51 #
Oct 27, 2013 23:26:25 #
Now you have an easily recognized main subject with a minor subject which adds to and frames the main subject. This is a well composed image. :thumbup:
Oct 28, 2013 05:22:34 #
smcaleer wrote:
I know how I feel about this photo, but would like some others input. Please don't be mean, but be honest.
Not a lot of help for this image but something to bear in mind is to try to get a different angle on shots. This images shows exactly what you saw while you stood there. Get down low to get a ducks eye view, if you physically cant get down there put a spirit level bubble in the hot shoe, use a wide angle, hold the camera as close as you can to the ground and shoot a number of pictures moving the camera a bit each time, you'll get at least one good 'un :-)
EDIT: Looking at the picture again perhaps you were quite low down? :)
Graham
Oct 28, 2013 06:28:42 #
Sue, I'm a bit concerned about the resolution of this photo. Maybe it's just the way it comes across on this site, but it seems to lack sparkle. What kind of lens and camera did you use?
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