C&C for a beginner

elifant · Jul 19, 2011

Just looking for some input from people other than friends and family.

Bitter Jeweler · Jul 19, 2011

#1 is just another baby snapshot. *yawn*

#2 is cool. I like the tree being centered. I think the centered horizon is ok because the tree breaks the line and unifies the image. I do think it is a tad dark, and a tad soft. Personally, I'd like to see a bit of contrast brought in. When working with symmetry, a centered subject, and centered horizon, I think it is very important to level the horizon.

I also think you could have taken a few steps to the right, and centered the tree between the land masses, so they point towards it, but don't intrude into it.

D-B-J · Jul 19, 2011

^ What he said

johnh2005 · Jul 19, 2011

Bitter Jeweler said:
#1 is just another baby snapshot. *yawn*

#2 is cool. I like the tree being centered. I think the centered horizon is ok because the tree breaks the line and unifies the image. I do think it is a tad dark, and a tad soft. Personally, I'd like to see a bit of contrast brought in. When working with symmetry, a centered subject, and centered horizon, I think it is very important to level the horizon.

I also think you could have taken a few steps to the right, and centered the tree between the land masses, so they point towards it, but don't intrude into it.

Bitter is in a good mood today! Glad to see you back to your fantastic C&C!

I like the catchlight in the baby's eye in the first one though a little more light on the back of the head would have been much better to my eye. But I am no expert AT ALL. I completely agree with Bitter about the second one!

mishele · Jul 19, 2011

Along w/ what Bitter said......I would love to see the whole shadow of the tree in the shot......it helps to balance the water/empty space.

elifant · Jul 20, 2011

Appreciate the feedback. Sorry for posting just another baby photo, but it's my baby, so I'm trying to save money on getting a pro to do her pics

And thank you for the detailed C&C on the second photo, you pointed out some things that I had overlooked because I was focusing on different aspects. Thanks!

Glycerol Sound · Jul 20, 2011

I really enjoy the tree landscape photo! Its def underexposed and the colors are funky, but I think it would have been good not only in black and white with high contrast, but with a vertical composition instead of the horizontal one, which you could do now with a crop tool I suppose if you wanted to.

AgentDrex · Jul 20, 2011

Where did you find that tree? Wicked! I like...except the clouds throw the balance...

elifant · Jul 20, 2011

AgentDrex said:
Where did you find that tree? Wicked! I like...except the clouds throw the balance...

It's in Lake Eufaula in Alabama. It's a cypress off the back end of an Island in the lake. My in-laws live down there and every time I get out there on the boat I try to get some shots of it. This one has been edited in light room to try to make it a bit more interesting. The unedited photo is over exposed, so I was just trying to salvage it in some way.

Robin Usagani · Jul 20, 2011

I like #2. You should be proud. You can take it pretty far with post processing. I suggest you should mess around with this photo more. Things you can do:1. Black and white2. Increase blue and green saturation3. Square crop.

Glycerol Sound · Jul 20, 2011

AgentDrex said:
Where did you find that tree? Wicked! I like...except the clouds throw the balance...

Since when was perfect balence a necessity to art?

shortpants · Jul 20, 2011

Glycerol Sound said:
AgentDrex said:

Where did you find that tree? Wicked! I like...except the clouds throw the balance...

Click to expand...

Since when was perfect balence a necessity to art?

Of course it's not, it's just usually when one is going for a centered subject, symmetry is more appealing. That's just in general, I like the shot.

Just some tips if you're trying to get nice photos of your own baby, it's tough but try to catch her looking at the camera, focus on the eyes. The light is nice on her face. I would also back up a little so you capture those chubby baby rolls. Maybe shoot later in the day or with shade behind her so the background isn't so distracting with the highlights.

levinest · Jul 20, 2011

The first photo looks like you took it from too close to the baby. I think the second photo is great! Funny, someone else said the clouds took away from the photo, while I feel like they add a little interest.

mishele · Jul 20, 2011

Glycerol Sound said:
AgentDrex said:

Where did you find that tree? Wicked! I like...except the clouds throw the balance...

Click to expand...

Since when was perfect balence a necessity to art?

There is nothing that is a NECESSITY to art.....=) but balance can make or break a composition. Balance creates an easy to look at feel. I believe that the op wants this to be a calming shot......but they can correct me if I'm wrong.

jgooz · Jul 20, 2011

i love the idea of a tree protruding in the middle of a lake, very cool, cant really add anything that hasnt been said but also the cute baby pic, seems like nice exposure and color, just gotta get that kid to look right in the lens hehe. i know its tougher than it sounds for that age, as ive been shooting my own kids for 20 years