[Uriel]

MUCH better than the other. I understand what you were going for in the other one, however I feel that the position of the dog makes it difficult to understand what's going on. This one offers much more clarity.

[OreoCookie]

@Uriel: I like the low-key shot of the woman. The one with the bench is a bit too steril IMHO.

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by Uriel 

Ugh. Totally cliche dude. Black and white. Empty park bench. Yuck. Try something new please. The composition and everything is fine, but the subject kills it.

[Uriel]

While I agree that A: it is sterile and B: that it is cliche. It was one of my first, the intention was to feel sterile and lonely, hence the black and white.

Second, no critquing without a picture. Also, some constructive criticism would help. Thanks!

I like the low-key shot of the woman.

Thank you, that's my beautiful fiancé.

[Railroader]

So much for my request to keep the thread civil.

Uriel: I too like the low-key shot of the woman. It gives a feeling of loneliness and isolation, yet with a slight sense of hope. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but that's what I see.

I also like the park bench photo. It relays the sense that someone has rushed off in a hurry and left their magazine. Great perspective and an excellent use of a shallow depth of field.

I am not too sure about the field of grass and piece of wood. Is it a detail of a boat, or a strange bird house?

And I am not too sure about the border you add. I understand that it gives the photo a more formal professional appearance, but I don't think that should be added during a critique.

Here's a picture I took for some clients.

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by Uriel 

While I agree that A: it is sterile and B: that it is cliche. It was one of my first, the intention was to feel sterile and lonely, hence the black and white.

You succeeded in your intentions. The problem is that almost EVERY photo major around the world has already taken that exact same shot, with those exact same intentions. It's boring, because it's been done 100 billion times before. From a technical standpoint, the photo is great. Again, it's just the subject. I mean.... you might as well take a picture of an empty swingset in black and white too.

I think what COULD work would be realizing this is cliche subject matter, and adding something subtle to the composition to throw someone off. Like.... maybe that exact same shot, but with a prosthetic limb, because who the hell would leave that? Or one sneaker? Who knows. SOMETHING, ANYTHING to get it away from cliche and maybe into a photo that realizes that shot is cliche, and plays with it somehow. Perhaps a strange animal sitting on the park bench, reading a newspaper? I dunno. I'm not saying my ideas are great, but something to help pull it away from boringville.

Second, no critquing without a picture. Also, some constructive criticism would help. Thanks!

I posted a pic but nobody critiqued it yet. Knock yourself out!

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

I also like the park bench photo. It relays the sense that someone has rushed off in a hurry and left their magazine. Great perspective and an excellent use of a shallow depth of field.

Your opinion suprises me.

[Uriel]

You succeeded in your intentions. The problem is that almost EVERY photo major around the world has already taken that exact same shot, with those exact same intentions. It's boring, because it's been done 100 billion times before. From a technical standpoint, the photo is great. Again, it's just the subject. I mean.... you might as well take a picture of an empty swingset in black and white too.

Touché. However at that time in my picture taking (like the first week) I was aiming for cliche. I wasn't trying to be original as much as I was trying to begin to learn the mechanics of a good picture and do it myself. Your analysis isn't far off, yet your critique isn't applicable.

I appreciate your opinion though. Please keep it up.

I am not too sure about the field of grass and piece of wood. Is it a detail of a boat, or a strange bird house?

It was a freaking door that I found in the middle of the woods. I have no idea how it got there. I just thought it was interesting and the colors were a nice contrast.

Uriel: I too like the low-key shot of the woman. It gives a feeling of loneliness and isolation, yet with a slight sense of hope. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but that's what I see.

That's actually exaclty what it was. Glad the emotion came through. I take pictures that I feel. (which is the reason I have a lot of "dry spells" of not taking pictures). This was a time I was having a really hard time with some people that I'd trusted for a long time, but it was also a time where my fiancé and I became really close and she was a great encouragment.

The darkness, thorns are behind her in an attempt to kind of give the feeling that yes, it was bad but it's behind her and she's coming out of it into the light.

Sorry if that's corny, it's what I was feeling at the time.

[powerbook867]

Haven't posted any shots in a long time...

[DrMischievious]

The last shot isn't centered, and the perspective is to normal. If you'd been closer to it, I think it'd be incredible, especially with a wide angle lense.

[powerbook867]

Yeah, I've noticed that to, but the colors kick @ss so I try and look past it. Thanks!

[andi*pandi]

incredible clarity on that butterfly shifui. RR, I prefer the second dog photo as well.

I'm not sure which of these is better, so I will post both. I tend to prefer not futzing with pictures, so no post-production has been done. Should it be?

outdoor heated pool, in winter flurry, partially underwater:


closeup:

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

I tend to prefer not futzing with pictures, so no post-production has been done.

If you're not shooting RAW then the camera does all your post production for you. It will translate the image on the sensor into whatever it sees fit. While that can work out beautifully, and I really like those two images, another camera will come up with a very different interpretation.

I prefer to make these choices myself, almost all of my pics are in some way retouched.

[DrMischievious]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

incredible clarity on that butterfly shifui. RR, I prefer the second dog photo as well.

I'm not sure which of these is better, so I will post both. I tend to prefer not futzing with pictures, so no post-production has been done. Should it be?

outdoor heated pool, in winter flurry, partially underwater:


closeup:

They're both too grey, without much contrast.



Fixed.

[Mastrap]

Over-saturated. Way over-saturated.

The original captured the feeling of swimming in winter perfectly, the edited version has lost that completely.

[DrMischievious]

Over saturation is good. Low contrast and lots of grey is bad. No darks, no brights= crap photo. Sorry.

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by DrMischievious 

Over saturation is good. Low contrast and lots of grey is bad. No darks, no brights= crap photo. Sorry.

Wrong. Sorry.

I am not sure if you're trolling or if you truly have no idea about photography.

[Dakarʒ]

Is that cash?

[DrMischievious]

Originally Posted by Mastrap 

Wrong. Sorry.

I am not sure if you're trolling or if you truly have no idea about photography.

I know about design, and I know about critiquing. One of the best ways to see if your photo is any good is to look at it from far away, and see if it still looks like a recognizeable good photo. The blacks need to be BLACK, and the whites need to be really white. It needs punch, it needs 'pop'. Without it, it'll just fade into a grey mess, and nobody will dig it.

[MrsLarry]

I just started a flickr page yesterday, want to start taking more pictures...

here's one of my firsts


I used Railhead's "cross-processing" technique I read about on his blog. (props to him - no I'm not a stalker, just curious )

[DrMischievious]

It's okay, but it looks like it was taken on an overcast day. Maybe a tad brighter, while keeping the blacks nice and dark.