Hip Coyote

Chg_Canon posted a film shot he took that was out of focus....and provided some good feedback, along with good comments by others, on the photo and why it had problems. It was (which was his point) a delete-worthy shot with some good learning points.

I thought I might offer this up. This is the very first photo I ever entered into my photo club challenge...the topic was bridges. This was a beautiful shot, or so I thought. I was going to be rookie of the year of my club!

The judge took one look at it, and said, "I don't often score something this low, but it is a 4 out of 9. A shot has to be in focus. This shot is not" I was stunned. How could my perfect, wonderful bridge shot be a 4? But after about 9 years or so learning, improving, etc...that judge was dead on right. That danged thing is not sharp. It is a 4 out of 9, if that.

If the shot is not sharp, when it should be, there is no real way to fix it... maybe a little Topaz may help, but this shot should have never seen the light of day. I long since deleted the file but found it on my FB feed as a memory, so the file size is small.

Curate, curate, curate. Be critical.

Grump's Photos Loc: Dunedin FL

Stunning photo, none the less! Looks the same even upside down.
Andy

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I like it....

(But then, I'm not hyper-critical.)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Had to check this out a few times!

Ended up cross-eyed and dizzy!

Hip Coyote

On a bigger screen it was apparent. And also in print.

Hip Coyote

The other thing was that there were about 50 people standing to the left and right of me...all with their tripods shooting away. I think this was on a tripod, believe it or not. I goofed somewhere. But, equally as important, to me, taking photos where everyone else and their brother is taking the same photo is boring. Its like painting by number.

So, over time, I developed a style, or at least interest in topics that I prefer. Landscapes on tripods ain't one of them.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I would keep it there are lots of programs that have a way to straighten out the focus. I think it is a good photo if you can over look the fuzzies

DRam11 Loc: Polson, MT

Perhaps personal taste has something to do with it, but I feel it is sharp enough to be a good picture. I like it.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

It is a rather nice shot. But the point deduction is accurate as to focus. And one thing I noticed immediately, is that the bridge is not horizontal. It's not off by much, but for some reason one's eyes (at least mine) seem to insist that the horizon be horizontal. Did you ever go back and retry? It is worth it.

Hip Coyote

I did not. I don’t have the large file anymore and would not show it if I did fix it. I am very sensitive to horizon issues as well and agree with you.

If you’re bored you can look at my portfolio on hipcoyote.com and will see I simply don’t do much landscape. And hopefully most horizons are as they should be.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Too bad you don't have the original, so we could look into the details, maybe to see the cause of the error or maybe just to discuss what to consider in the future. The rhetorical 'future', as you have now advanced from this effort.

Considerations:

1, Where to focus? Should it be the center of the bridge or possibly into the reflection?

2, How much depth of field, as in what aperture size? Should you try for just the front face of the bridge, or the entire image into the background trees?

3, Which plumb line makes for a better horizontal guide? Should it be the far waterline? Or the bridge top? Or a vertical line in the image?

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

It may not be in exact focus, but it is a shot worthy of wall hanging none the less!

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

In my opinion the composition is right on. If hanging on a wall and viewed from a reasonable distance I probably wouldn't notice the focus, because I'd be taking in the entire scene. Also not all bridges are level, so like Paul stated, look for a vertical plumb line.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

What I would do with it these days is turn it in to a "painting" with Topaz Impressions. I will use my sharpest image for a straight photograph. But I often find a softer duplicate shot works better with some digital effects filters. Or it makes no difference and the "Creation" looks good in any case.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

To me it is the most blatant (in one of its definitions) object - the bridge. It tends to hide everything else.