Need Honest And Critical Critiques
Oct 19, 2011 11:09:21 #
Can you please provide me with your honest and critical critique on the below 2 photos. I appreciate brutal and critical feedback, because that is the way I found I could greatly improve my photography and post processing skills. Thanks, Arnold
A Hooded Merganser With A Young One
A Trio Of Wood Storks With Their Reflections
Oct 19, 2011 11:43:07 #
#1 - seems a little soft to me (could be this monitor it's not the best, so please take any CC from me at this moment with that in mind). I like his pose and the set up as a whole. I just wish the overall picture was a little sharper. The DOF leaf/grass in the front is distracing me as well, it's a little bright so maybe darking it a little in PP.
#2 - I like this one. I would like to see it in colour as maybe there would be a little more detail in the middle guys face? It seems a little dark there (remember my monitor). Overall it's a great capture. Well done.
#2 - I like this one. I would like to see it in colour as maybe there would be a little more detail in the middle guys face? It seems a little dark there (remember my monitor). Overall it's a great capture. Well done.
Oct 19, 2011 12:32:05 #
MWAC, I really appreciate your response. This will help me work on these photos before I enter into a contest. Thanks, Arnold
MWAC wrote:
#1 - seems a little soft to me (could be this moni... (show quote)
Oct 19, 2011 12:38:35 #
The first image would have been better if the eye were in focus. Moving birds are soooo tough to focus on. What is the discoloration above his head? A reflection of some sort? Its a little distracting.
The wood storks I would frame and put on my wall. I applaud you. This is almost reminiscent of a Salvador Dali piece what a fantastic shot. I would eliminate a few artifacts using content aware, like that smudge by the center storks head. Clean up anything that takes away from this fantastic capture. I think a little levels adjustment may enhance the contrast as well, its just a little flat, but easily fixable.
You put out some great work, its always a pleasure seeing your posts.
The wood storks I would frame and put on my wall. I applaud you. This is almost reminiscent of a Salvador Dali piece what a fantastic shot. I would eliminate a few artifacts using content aware, like that smudge by the center storks head. Clean up anything that takes away from this fantastic capture. I think a little levels adjustment may enhance the contrast as well, its just a little flat, but easily fixable.
You put out some great work, its always a pleasure seeing your posts.
Oct 19, 2011 12:49:19 #
To me, the focus seems OK, but the brown blob coming out of the merganser's head pulled me away from her. I would try to clone that out- it's a great shot !
For the storks - try a crop without the reflection - sounds crazy, because it's such a great capture, but try it - you might find it's even punchier! Great stuff, especially the composition of the storks - did you have to wait a long time ? Were the bugs really bad? Did you sweat a gallon? You must Suffer for such great art !!!
For the storks - try a crop without the reflection - sounds crazy, because it's such a great capture, but try it - you might find it's even punchier! Great stuff, especially the composition of the storks - did you have to wait a long time ? Were the bugs really bad? Did you sweat a gallon? You must Suffer for such great art !!!
Oct 19, 2011 12:54:54 #
John, Thank you very much fot responding to my request. The light brown above the bird's head in far distance is a tree branch. I will work on enhancing these photos before I enter them into my photo contest. Thanks again, Arnold
johnrennie wrote:
The first image would have been better if the eye ... (show quote)
Oct 19, 2011 13:06:18 #
I honestly think that second one has award winning potential. Best of luck to you!
Oct 19, 2011 13:27:42 #
I have to agree with johnrennie, as the second one has award winning potential as it is amazing, and I'm not a fan of b/w but this one is very nicely put together.
I have to say the first one would have been better if the eye was focused more than the white area on the side of it's head, but understanding natures birds it was probably do to the constant movement of the head. Also, do the fact you needed the correct exposure for this shot. However, the background is nicely out of focus as it should be, someone said something about the bownish area above the head but it's so well out of focus it's really not distracting at all. (my opinion). I like them both but the second has the potential over the first! Hope this wasn't to harsh but it's honesty at it's best!
I have to say the first one would have been better if the eye was focused more than the white area on the side of it's head, but understanding natures birds it was probably do to the constant movement of the head. Also, do the fact you needed the correct exposure for this shot. However, the background is nicely out of focus as it should be, someone said something about the bownish area above the head but it's so well out of focus it's really not distracting at all. (my opinion). I like them both but the second has the potential over the first! Hope this wasn't to harsh but it's honesty at it's best!
Oct 20, 2011 14:20:34 #
I agree with John. The storks are absolutely amazing. Good luck with the contest. Please let us know how you do!
Oct 20, 2011 14:29:04 #
I'm wondering about camera/subject movement. Do you have image stabilization in this lens or camera body?
Up the ISO slightly, increase the shutter speed, and open the aperture a little; you don't need extreme depth of field for these two shots. Try a mono-pod; fast an easy to use.
Very nice work. You should be excited!!
Up the ISO slightly, increase the shutter speed, and open the aperture a little; you don't need extreme depth of field for these two shots. Try a mono-pod; fast an easy to use.
Very nice work. You should be excited!!
Oct 20, 2011 14:35:35 #
I agree with all the other folks. The #1 shot has too many difficulties to overcome. The #2 shot is to die for! Wish I had that kind of luck. Does your lens have IS (image stablization)?? If not, you might think about getting one with that feature. 3 weeks ago I went to a Charreada (Mexican Rodeo). I took my one and only "L" 100-400mm lens with IS. I hand-held this baby for 3 hours and got the most amazing clear, sharp images you can imagine. BTW, I am 80 years old. Buy one - you won't be sorry.
Oct 20, 2011 16:30:12 #
I think you have two excellent photos. The brown haze behind the adult bird could just be a reflection in the water of a tree trunk in the distance, but it is disconcerting--almost like a poor print job. I would remove it, which would take probably less than a minute in any editing program on the market. The wing feathers of the adult bird are blurry, which could easily be from wing movement. The young bird, however, is not moving but is also out of focus. More depth of field might solve the problem. It would also help to focus on the parts of the subject closer to you, since more is in focus behind the spot focused on than in front of it. There are two spots on the second photo near the center--one white and one black. They could be something in the water. Whatever the cause, I would remove them, since they take away slightly from the great subjects. I hope you understand these comments are about details, which just reinforces your fine work. Good job!
Oct 20, 2011 16:33:04 #
Oct 20, 2011 16:58:16 #
John, Thank you so much for taking your time and providing me some valuable feedback on these two photos. I really truly appreciate it. Hopefully in the next couple of days I will have the time to enhance these photos. Arnold
johnrennie wrote:
The first image would have been better if the eye ... (show quote)
Oct 20, 2011 16:59:08 #
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