Tell me what I can do to get better.

gjohnson · 02-15-2010, 01:16 PM

Be an a-hole, Tell me like it is. I need some honest feedback so I can get better.

benttop · 02-15-2010, 06:28 PM

What is your goal with each of these images?

What is the story you are trying to tell?

Beyond that, in my view there are a lot of details in the shadows that are lost. Are you shooting in RAW? If not, start. Are you processing with Photoshop? If not, start. Use the Raw converter to explore the details in the shadows and get them where you want them - maybe this is exactly what you wanted, maybe not. You are the artist - convey what you are trying to convey. Are YOU happy with them?

Image one I would have liked more if the vanishing point was more towards the right 1/3 of the image rather than on the edge.

I actually like the composition on the other two as posted.

As they say, your mileage may vary, and opinions vary.

Scott Harder · 02-21-2010, 09:29 PM

One thing I would recommend is to watch your exposure and start metering for the sky.
You might want to consider getting a circular polarizer so you can highlight the foreground and not washout the sky/background. I do like the composition..

There, I'm an A-Hole.

I plan to start posting as well, so you'll get a chance :-)

CRC333 · 02-22-2010, 07:50 AM

nothing really grabs my attention...but here is my CC.

1. Go get either circular polarizer or an assortment of graduated ND filters, these can help to even out your exposure. I once had Art Wolfe give me some feedback on a shot I got from reflection lake, Mt Rainier NP. He told me that overall the he liked the composition but it would have been a better image (The sky was about one stop brighter than the foreground reflection) if I had used a graduated ND filter to even out the exposure. Guess what I did the that week!

2. Could use better composition, what are you trying to get the viewer to look see.

3. Well this shot has nothing to offer to me...its just a snap shot of an old dead tree, is there a bird at the top of the tree or is that just part of the tree?

Inflex · 02-22-2010, 02:04 PM

Generally for me, the subjects are too dark and are uninteresting.

Tracks are great to lead the eyes. However, you need something interesting along the tracks that's not a blank sky. Something like cool clouds, a lake with reflections, mountains, etc.... If you want to do something with the tracks, then eliminate the blank sky in the composition and make sure to expose correctly and focus on tracks to bring out details.

First find something interesting to shoot. Then practice how to shoot it correctly (settings, composition, filters, etc). Worry about post processing and the rest last. Of course you could go the other way. That is, create stunning graphics out of crappy photographs through tools like photoshop. Either way, start with thinking about what's going to be interesting.

02-15-2010, 01:16 PM	#1
gjohnson Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 2 From: Lake Oswego, OR My Camera: Canon Rebel T1i	Tell me what I can do to get better. Be an a-hole, Tell me like it is. I need some honest feedback so I can get better.

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02-15-2010, 06:28 PM	#2
benttop Member Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 41 From: Renton, WA	What is your goal with each of these images? What is the story you are trying to tell? Beyond that, in my view there are a lot of details in the shadows that are lost. Are you shooting in RAW? If not, start. Are you processing with Photoshop? If not, start. Use the Raw converter to explore the details in the shadows and get them where you want them - maybe this is exactly what you wanted, maybe not. You are the artist - convey what you are trying to convey. Are YOU happy with them? Image one I would have liked more if the vanishing point was more towards the right 1/3 of the image rather than on the edge. I actually like the composition on the other two as posted. As they say, your mileage may vary, and opinions vary.

02-21-2010, 09:29 PM	#3
Scott Harder Junior Member Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 12 From: Mill Creek My Camera: Nikon D300, Nikon D80, Nikon D40, Nikon L18	One thing I would recommend is to watch your exposure and start metering for the sky. You might want to consider getting a circular polarizer so you can highlight the foreground and not washout the sky/background. I do like the composition.. There, I'm an A-Hole. I plan to start posting as well, so you'll get a chance :-)

02-22-2010, 07:50 AM	#4
CRC333 Junior Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 26 From: Issaquah	nothing really grabs my attention...but here is my CC. 1. Go get either circular polarizer or an assortment of graduated ND filters, these can help to even out your exposure. I once had Art Wolfe give me some feedback on a shot I got from reflection lake, Mt Rainier NP. He told me that overall the he liked the composition but it would have been a better image (The sky was about one stop brighter than the foreground reflection) if I had used a graduated ND filter to even out the exposure. Guess what I did the that week! 2. Could use better composition, what are you trying to get the viewer to look see. 3. Well this shot has nothing to offer to me...its just a snap shot of an old dead tree, is there a bird at the top of the tree or is that just part of the tree?

02-22-2010, 02:04 PM	#5
Inflex Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 49 From: everett	Generally for me, the subjects are too dark and are uninteresting. Tracks are great to lead the eyes. However, you need something interesting along the tracks that's not a blank sky. Something like cool clouds, a lake with reflections, mountains, etc.... If you want to do something with the tracks, then eliminate the blank sky in the composition and make sure to expose correctly and focus on tracks to bring out details. First find something interesting to shoot. Then practice how to shoot it correctly (settings, composition, filters, etc). Worry about post processing and the rest last. Of course you could go the other way. That is, create stunning graphics out of crappy photographs through tools like photoshop. Either way, start with thinking about what's going to be interesting.