Rexene Loc: Michigan

I've only posted a couple of times since my photos are so far below the quality of most of yours. Please critique so I can improve! I use a Nikon D7000. The "Old Gray Mare" photo was taken with my 55 - 200mm 1:4-5.6G ED telephoto lens at A 1/40 F5.6 ISO 100 at 200mm White Balance Sunny. The "Orchids" photo was taken with my Nikon 18 - 55mm 1:3.5 - 5.6G at M 1/50 F5.6 ISO 100 48mm White Balance Cloudy. I'm still learning ISO, White Balance, Shutter Speed and F Stops. They are still very confusing for me!!

Old Gray Mare


Orchids

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

like the horse, the flower is dark by 1-2 stops. :D

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Hi Rexene!
I like your photos! I think the tree in the Old Grey Mare photo is really nice, the slightly different shade of green sets it off very well. And your flowers are a bit "understated", I like that, too.
One thing: keep an eye on your shutter speed when your lens starts getting above 100mm. You'll be needing a tripod. I'm thinking you got lucky on your Old GM picture at 1/40th at 200mm. Don't count on that kind of luck all the time!
Good work, you're doing great! Don't worry, there's ALWAYS more to learn!

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Sorry Rexene...
I just had to get rid of that one fence post in your photo! I felt like a mom seeing a piece of lint on your shoulder! In doing so I found that the demon "camera movement" has victimized your photo. Magnify it on your monitor screen, you'll see what I mean.
Still a good photo, but it shows you something to watch out for: too slow shutter speed for telephoto lens shooting.
You're getting it, though!

ssscomp

I love the cropping on the horse photo. Exactly right on in my mind. I hope you don't mind but I fooled with it a bit. I apologize in advance if you don't want that, some posters do, some don't. I basically took out two of the poles and that brown thing behind the tree. Also the big branches in the front and then I blurred the branches in front a little. I think your focus was a little too close but it works perfectly in this case. Finally, I put in a very very strong vignette. Not everyone's taste but I am a vignette guy. Great photo.

Horse

Rexene Loc: Michigan

No problem, Danilo! I didn't like the post either! Thanks for the info. I'm very new to PSE 10 also!

Rexene Loc: Michigan

I love what you did with the photo. I didn't like the two posts either and it does look better with some of the twiggy stuff removed and the rest blurred. The brown thing behind the tree is the neighbor's sheep. What do you mean by the focus was a little too close? Can you explain how you did the changes. I am very new to PSE 10. Thanks for your help; I love what you did with the photo!!

ssscomp

Sure. First thing let me again say how much I absolutely love the photo itself. That's what's so great about photography. Sometimes, something just hist you. It may not be for everyone, but it works perfectly for me.

What I meant by "close" was that the large branches in the front seem to be more in focus than anything else. It seems that the camera may have focused a little bit in front of the horse instead of on the horse itself but again it absolutely works out fine so I wouldn't think twice about it.

I made the changes using Aperture three and it literally took less than five minutes. I used their cloning tool which in Photoshop elements 10 I believe it's called the rubber stamp. Just a suggestion if you're just getting into this. I have had all the Photoshop elements through the current number 10. But I find that have never used it). if you need to use layers than Photoshop elements is the way to go. If you don't plan on using layers then I think you can get more done, equally well, in less time, using Aperture or light room. but the reality today is that no one can tell the difference. It is virtually impossible to tell if a photo was taken with a Nikon, Canon, Sony et cetera. They all do fabulous jobs.
Sent from my iPhone

Rexene Loc: Michigan

I am having problems with focusing. I can't seem to find a setting other than 16 or 39 point. I recently purchased Lightroom 3.....I know it wasn't the latest version, but it was only $69! So, you didn't do any changes to color, etc.? Thank you very much for your input and help!

ssscomp

I am not sure what you mean by 16 pt. or 39 pt. I can't get this photo out of my head, I think it is that good. I took a little of the yellowish color out of the horse. Not sure it makes much difference. what do you mean by 16 or 39. Also, GUARANTEE, you can make any of the changes I made in ANY of the programs. Thanks for letting me fool with it.

Horse

Rexene Loc: Michigan

I should have said 11 or 39 focus points. The brownish areas on the mare are dirty spots! LOL I'm glad you liked my photo and enjoyed working on it. Again, I really like the improvements!