catalint Loc: oslo

Hi Jim,
All comments are appreciated :)

I've put it here for critics especially so I can get those extra eyes that are looking for the details.

I've noticed the bluish area by the feet as well.
AS mentioned, I take all the advice and critics as my homework. :)

catalint Loc: oslo

right , so now going out for my homework.
notes for today:

-try more angles
-adding some light (to open some ares, have a little torch)
-shallower DOF.Going. Packing both my 17-50/2.8 and again 11-16/2.8. (Could be interesting to see result with 55-200/4-5.6) std kit lens so I let it in the bag and try if time allowes)
-lower angels, and closer to the subject.

Going to try all this for both first and 3rd picture. Trying to see which will work best. Hopefully I may be able to show result this evening, if not, maybe tomorrow.

C.

catalint Loc: oslo

Hi all,
been over a week since my last time, and must say I did no had any time for my hobby. October is a busy month, but have not forgotten about my lesson.I was out that evening as posted. I was set with lots of ideas and determined to do as we've been discussing. With all this in mind I found it lot harder to achieve what I was looking for.

First of all , not sure if i can continue posting results directly to the thread so I'm using my flickr to post some results I kept. In case of interest please have a look

https://www.flickr.com/photos/catalint/21910005799/in/album-72157659733544905/

Second: I learned a little lesson about the DoF. I was looking for getting blurred out the background a little, as suggested. The problem i encountered is that the subject is pretty wide, so getting too close in order to achieve the shallow dept of field was not possible with my sigma 17-50 2.8 or my Tokina 11-16mm 2.8mm. I could not get the whole thing in frame. I did however had my cheap 55-200mm F4, but could not get far away enough too zoom in that much. Road, fences, and from the other side of the road I would have branches blocking my view. I tried to read a little about DoF, and the only thing I could understand, is that I may be in need to get me a lens with very shallow DoF like 1.4 Then, I would be able to get the blurred DoF standing close. Am I on the correct path here? I did download an DoF on my phone, and I know I am able to produce blurred background. But never tried on a large subject as this.

Third: Using different angles gave me challenges with the background. You see, around this statue, is not an empty field. There is a walking road with lights, a house with lots of windows and lights, the driving road to the restaurant, and objects here and there.

Fourth:I had a led light with me. Trying to bring out more of the shadows. Did not go so well. At home I discovered I created bigger shadows of the statue myself, and in lots of the pictures i could see shadows of myself as well. For me visible enough to mess up my pictures, and my Photoshop skills are that advanced.

Fifth: I was having problems with too many people this evening. They were walking by and too often in my view. Not to mentioned all the cabs driving to the and from restaurant.

So I have to go back again soon. I will give it a try with dawn light as well, but mostly I am looking for the dark pictures. So I have to wait for a weekend I am free so I can go there late in the night.

So this was my report from my first lesson based on the constructive critics I got from all of you. And cause the poor result, or the big expectation I had for good result that evening, I will continue to search for a better shot of this subject :)

C.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

First off the second try is beautiful. I think I would give it it's own thread. You can post as many versions as you want in the critique section they just need to have their own thread. If you link back to the original then people can open them in seperate windows and compare them. It reduces confusion also as we are just commenting on that one version.

Now for some comments on your Flicker version. I am not sure how I feel about the lights in the background. I think I would try dodging them down a bit as they draw my eye away from the statue.
I would also dodge down some of the lighter spots around the statue.
When you return again try shooting from a little higher to see what you get. It might not be any better but it might. :)
I think this is a huge improvement on your first try.

catalint Loc: oslo

Thank you Country's Mama,
I am glad to read your comment about the background lights. They really bother me, and I also feel they attract much attention. I think the key is as you suggested: getting a little higher.

My problem, I'm not the tallest guy around (just 1,68m , 5,5ft?) and struggle to fiddle with settings when the camera is above my head. I did tried, but it was time consuming since i was extending, and folding my tripod for every picture settings.

I think I will take the advice I received from another member, and try getting a small ladder with me. or something to stand. This way I can focus to get more shots from higher ground, and dodge lights.

I would like to take you advice and keeping a thread of this. Since this is a project I am willing to spend more time on it, I would like keep everything in one place. But I am not sure I understood which section I should put it on. I am interested in the critics in order for me and the picture to get better.

C.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

The ladder is a good idea, but by dodge lights I meant use the dodge tool in photoshop to tone down the lights. If you need help with that message me. It is an easy fix.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Misspoke my self. I meant burn tool not dodge.

catalint Loc: oslo

and as you understood , I have never used either burn or dodge :) . Just read about it a little now. :) .

Anyway, I will give it a try tomorrow. Now I have to retire a little from computer for today. Being IT dude, I spend my day at a customers servers all day, just so I could stick my head in my own agenda when arrived home. Today I feel it my head is heavy.