tomfr Loc: Brevard N.C.

Rocco said it all



tomfr

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

Love the bird!

downing Loc: Cincinnati

Thanks to all for your comments. They are quite helpful.

Regarding the ladies on the bench. Candids of personal interaction is one of my favorite types of photographs.
As per suggestiions and comments I lightened the upper background. Also I used Curves in photoshop to brighten the midtones. Also incresased saturation slightly and upped the vibrance.
I hesitate to use flash when taking candid photos.

To see the result of all this go to my flikr page and look at item 0302. My flikr screen name is wdsb.

Regardng the bird. I did use the rule of thirds on this but perhaps I should of put him on the left side.

Forest scene.
I agree with the comments. This photograph needs a point of interest. The comments about human 3-d vision and photographs in 2-d explains why what I saw did not translate. Also explains why a point of interest, or a leading line, is needed in landscape shots.

Thanks again for all your help.
If you wish to look I have about 380 photos on my flikr page. screen name wdsb

jacksdvds Loc: Ft. Mohave, AZ

To JimH The thread line specificly requested critisim + or - and some times that has to include a visual example. But out when not necessary.

Vearl Brown Loc: Saint Louis, MO USA

Back again. Here is a "bird shot" with the flash on. It really makes a difference and also gives you a " Catch Light" in the eyes.
If you want to see some bird pictures on flickr I have a lot of them there also. Check it out if you want--I go by the name of
" Picture Taker 2 " and have almost 3,000 postings with a LOT of birds, scenery and flowers shown (NOT MANY people pictures).
Vearl

Back Yard Bird

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

I will only comment on your first image, as there is no need for me to add to the comments made by others on your other images. Your "candid" shot of the two women is everything a candid image should be.

By definition, there really are no rules when it comes to a candid shot. . .other that the image be natural, true and un-posed. Many will define a candid as a photo taken of person or people who do not know that they are being photographed. Hence, the true mark of a GREAT wedding photographer is in their candids. . .not the formals.

A candid photo needs to tell a story, show emotion, be full of pathos, without any concern for the rule of thirds, backgrounds, and the like. Here we have the perfect candid shot of two women fully engaged (it might be a mother and a daughter), there is concern, guilt, reflection and all sorts of possible stories here. What they are doing and how they are dressed add to the story. Where they are (the background) adds to the story.

A candid doesn't have to be straight and level, many are not. A candid does not have to be cropped, to eliminate unwanted elements - to do so no longer makes it a true candid.

Little to no PP is really appropriate for candid shots other than an adjustment to maybe correct levels, contrast, and/or color. The only thing that I might think about with this candid image is to maybe warm it up just a touch.

The way the women are dressed, and the suggested location, would indicate a warm summer day; however, your color cast has too much cyan/blue resulting in a cool "blue" cast image.

pamelawilk

I like the picture of the girls just the way it is because it tells a story. The purse and drink set the scene and their expressions set my mind in motion. . . I wonder just what they are thinking about each other. The picture made me smile.

billyzee Loc: Austin

Great expression captured on the ladies...background is just a bit cluttered.

The Rose of Sharon is beautiful.

The Momma Redbird or Cardinal (I think) is real nice, eye is good and sharp. Maybe could use a little more definition in the feathers.

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

I beg your pardon? Butt out? If you'll read the entire thread, you'll see I posted two hopefully helpful replies. Farther down, someone downloaded, edited, and reposted one of the shots. That is a violation of the UHH forum rules. I did not make the rule. I, nicely enough, I thought, pointed it out to him/her. There are those here who would have been much more abrupt.

Until YOU can contribute useful information regarding the original post and request for help, I respectfully request that YOU butt out.

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

Have to disagree - I am of the opinion flash outdoors is only good for "fixing" problems, not general use, and best for portraits.

Did you water the flower to make artificial "dew" ? DID yew?

My opinion is that's cheating, and not very attractive, either.

Hint - the Real morning dew corresponds to the time you find the best Real light for flower photos - just sayin' !

Vearl Brown Loc: Saint Louis, MO USA

It's NOT a law !! If you don't want to use it then don't ! I hope you never use a filter or reflector either because that's NOT the way it was NATURALLY :roll:
My mother use to tell us that " There was never a pancake so thin that it didn't have two sides". You have yours and I have mine. Probably the best thing to do is to shoot it both ways and use the one you like the best, Now isn't that a heck of an idea !!!