"Faces Of Nature": At 75, I've joined a local photog club for the first time, and I'll attend my first meeting Monday next week. At each month's meeting, one of the agenda items is a...

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"Faces Of Nature"

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Oct 28, 2019 00:51:13 #

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

At 75, I've joined a local photog club for the first time, and I'll attend my first meeting Monday next week. At each month's meeting, one of the agenda items is a little photo competition, and members are invited to enter one photo in each of 4 categories: Special Topic of the Month, Challenge Topic, Open Category, and Creative. This month the Challenge Topic is "focus stacking," which is not something I've ever worked with, so I'll skip that entry but look forward to seeing what others submit and learn what they used and how they did it.

The Special Topic this month is Faces Of Nature, and this photo is the one I think I'll use, but I'd like some feedback here first, if members would be so kind as to critique this for me. You'll know right off, this is not professional photography. Nevertheless, I'd like serious analysis.

And no need to say, the newcomer takes the topic very literally.

(Download)

Oct 28, 2019 13:35:49 #

NMGal Loc: NE NM

I am no where near an expert, but to my eyes, the body of the animal is more emphasized than the face. I think I would crop some of the body out to put more emphasis on the face.

Oct 28, 2019 17:07:25 #

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

NMGal wrote:

I am no where near an expert, but to my eyes, the body of the animal is more emphasized than the face. I think I would crop some of the body out to put more emphasis on the face.

Aha. I see what you mean. Thanks for that insight, NMGal.

Oct 28, 2019 17:25:15 #

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

NMGal wrote:

I am no where near an expert, but to my eyes, the body of the animal is more emphasized than the face. I think I would crop some of the body out to put more emphasis on the face.

NMGal, think this one might be a better choice for this specific competition entry? Yes, it is a different photo even.

(Download)

Oct 28, 2019 18:20:10 #

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Personally, I think the second is better than the first. Wish some of the experts here would weigh in.

Oct 28, 2019 19:44:21 #

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

NMGal wrote:

Personally, I think the second is better than the first. Wish some of the experts here would weigh in.

Thank you! It's just you and me here, and that's just fine.

Oct 28, 2019 20:10:46 #

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Well, I hate to be the party crasher. Certainly no expert but I think the second one fits the category better. If the opportunity presented itself I would retake the second photo with a wider
f. stop to decrease the depth of field and throw the body a bit out of focus. That would make the face more prominent.

Oct 28, 2019 23:05:15 #

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

Retired CPO wrote:

Welcome aboard, CPO...Retired! I love your suggestion, but I may have caught a once-upon-a-lifetime opportunity with my set of shots of this patient bighorn sheep. Doubt that I get another chance, and it did not occur to me to try to defocus his backsides when I was taking my pictures. Can't say I'm the most forward-thinking shutter-bug out there, and I won't shame the pro ranks by pretending to be one... though the old man can still dream.

Oh, and I, too, agree with NMGal that the second shot comes closer to fitting the category than the first one I posted.

Oct 28, 2019 23:14:15 #

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

NMGal wrote:

Personally, I think the second is better than the first. Wish some of the experts here would weigh in.

If you and Retired CPO are still hanging around, would you tell me if you think adding a vignette effect to the second photo helps to "de-emphasize" the body of the ram and lock the viewer more on the face? Is it appealing or cheesy to use this effect in your opinions?

(Download)

Oct 28, 2019 23:17:34 #

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Personally, I don't generally care for vignette-ing. But I actually think it works in this case.

Oct 28, 2019 23:58:44 #

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

Retired CPO wrote:

Personally, I don't generally care for vignette-ing. But I actually think it works in this case.

Thanks. I rarely use it myself, but I thought it helped in the case of my first selection - probably due to how wide I had left the shot AND the same DOF issue you raised.

Oct 29, 2019 10:08:21 #

NMGal Loc: NE NM

I think it works too. Good luck.

Oct 29, 2019 12:41:22 #

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

Thanks to you both for your assistance! I'm going to submit this last one.

Oct 29, 2019 13:22:36 #

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

whlsdn wrote:

Thanks to you both for your assistance! I'm going to submit this last one.

Good luck. Let us know how it works out.