Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

This shot was taken hand-held in Aperture Priority mode at 1/200, f/3.5, iso100. It shows a section of a wood twig sculpture of a mammoth at an outdoor gallery in Hopkinton, NH. The focus was on the subject's eye. I enlarged the blue sky area to show the curvature of the tusk. Should the composition have included the entire sculpture, a different perspective, or a larger section? Comments welcome. Thanks.

Wood twing mammoth

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

This has good composition and you showed enough so that we can see it is a twig sculpture of a mammoth. The perspective is good too as it shows the height of the mammoth in relation to the picture taker. It's bright on the tusks, but that seems OK because they are, well, tusks and that's where the brightness would be. I think it's a good interpretation, but would clone out the distracting background trees.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

JayDog11,

The composition could have been improved if you had included the entire front tusk. The point of view is good and supports the initial composition attempt, but the missing tusk end detracts from the composition.

Your choice of Aperture, ISO, and hand holding the camera while exposing the subject allowed the forward tusk to fade into soft focus, another detraction to composition. You could have chosen several options to increase the Depth of Field for this exposure; higher ISO value, smaller Aperture value, slower shutter duration, and mounting on a tripod.

Don't give up, try again, but next time get a better understanding how composition, and exposure adjustments work interactively to capture a great picture.

The general selection of cropping/enlargement has good possibilities, the head capture could have been very good if the tusks were allowed to continue their natural curve.

Michael G

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

The previous suggestions seem right on the money. For me, though, I would have like a three quarters view from the front. It would have included more of the sculpture. Again, it would have been useful to have a tripod so that you could use a smaller aperture (higher number) to increase your depth of field. That perspective would also eliminate the distracting trees. It is very important, when working on composition, to be hyper aware of your background. Sure, you can clone the stuff out, but it is less work if it is not in there in the first place. I like this photo; but I would have tried, maybe you did, other perspectives since I was already there and cared enough about the sculpture in the first place to photograph it. That is my take and I don't, in any way, mean to take away from your efforts which are quite good.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I like the shot, I like the composition.
Would like it more with the sky dulled down a bit and the tree gone.

MtnMan Loc: ID

While I like the eye position and main focus I'd like to see one with the full tusk and, as noted, higher f-stop to keep more of it in focus.

And yes, the tree has to go.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

You wrote: "Don't give up, try again, but next time get a better understanding how composition, and exposure adjustments work interactively to capture a great picture."

This is a nasty, self-serving comment!
1. I took many shots of this subject that are all camera club winners, but the one I posted was the weakest and I was interested in thoughtful comments, not an exhortation as stated in your thoughtless, stupid remark, as quoted above.
2. I have three photography blue ribbons and a myriad of other photography acclamations, so I don't need your lecture about "better understanding."
3. Have you posted anything on this topic area? I'll be interested in seeing what a real expert on composition and exposure comes up with.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

JayDog11,

My comment on your post was not to incite your anger, or spite. My comment was based on what you wrote, and the image you submitted, that is all I had to comment on. It was, and still is, intended to point you in a slightly different direction.


Michael G

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

jaydog,

your ribbons and other photos you took, account for nothing - irrelevant.
You asked people to comment on this photo.
And if you didn't want to be "pointed in a different direction" then maybe you shouldn't have posted this
Should the composition have included the entire sculpture, a different perspective, or a larger section? Comments welcome. Thanks.
Your reaction is very over the top.
It is just as hard for some people to give critique as it is for others to take it.
We all have to learn. Lets take a chill pill and relax a bit.