C & C - Newbie

[Paulaj100]

Hi there, Gonna put myself out there with a few on my favourite shots BUT I do lnow they are far from perfect so please help point me in the right direction. (PS Just want to add that I am currently trying really hard to learn everything about lighting and a new off camera flash is on its way so lighting hints greatfully received!)


P5013485 b&w by Paulaj100, on Flickr


086 by Paulaj100, on Flickr


Lucas TV by Paulaj100, on Flickr


P7263732 by Paulaj100, on Flickr


Hope thats not too many, Paula

 

[Compaq]

Tell us what qualities you feel these have that would apply to everyone looking at them, and not just those who know the little kid.

 

[Paulaj100]

No1- this photo was in really tricky light ( dappled shade and really bright sun). The water ended up being really over exposed and so I converted it to b&w and colour to try and rescue it! Should I have used a filter for this? Not convinced on the b&w/colour - learnt I like a more natural look.

No 2- wanted to show all the colours and wanted them to "pop" without looking too fake. Wanted it to have more of a story than a straight portrait

No 3- really like the light in this one but can't help feeling the crop is wrong.

No 4 - would have liked the background to be more out of focus. Should I have put more space on the right instead of on the left. Again really dappled light but think it worked ok - what do you think?

Thanks ( I think) in advance

 

[Paulaj100]

Bump - or are they perfect after all?!

 

[Tomasko]

1.) the kid is too small, but at least you got that selective coloring right
2.) snapshot
3.) probably the best from this thread, but I agree it isn't ideal... In my opinion, it would be better to have your model look at you, which would add some more depth to the image. Now it's a kid looking somewhere and viewer may wonder - what is he looking at? What is so important? But then again, it's just me and maybe it was your intention to capture a kid in a thinking pose
4.) snapshot

 

[Paulaj100]

Thanks, I pretty much agree with all your comments, and whilst I did get the colour right I don't like it! I'm currently looking a lot at photo journalism I'm intrigued to know people's thoughts on snapshots vs photo journalism/ candid shots. (maybe for a new thread?)
Oh and he was watching the Tv - the only time that kid stays still!

 

[Tomasko]

Thanks, I pretty much agree with all your comments, and whilst I did get the colour right I don't like it! I'm currently looking a lot at photo journalism I'm intrigued to know people's thoughts on snapshots vs photo journalism/ candid shots. (maybe for a new thread?)
Oh and he was watching the Tv - the only time that kid stays still!

Maybe if you shoot it next time with him AND the Tv in one frame would add some story to the image

Snapshots, from my point of view, are photos without any real thinking/reason behind them. You have a child for example and you want to take a picture with him on a bike. It may have some value for you, but for others.. It's just a snapshot of a child. Snapshots don't tell any real story and they have a value mostly only for the participants (or/and family). E.g. photos from a vacation...

Photojournalism is a kind of journalism. You want to show others something in its real form, without any extensive processing, posing... No prepared situations. However, these photos have (or should have) a value for viewers (war photos, sport events....).

Candid shots are about shooting at the right moment, but you should think about the final image. You should think about what are you trying to show others, what are you trying to capture. Candid is about the right moment, not about shooting anything that moves.

These are my short definitions of these terms, hope it helps... I may be wrong though, in which case I hope I'll be corrected by somebody.

 

[Paulaj100]

Thanks for that, you're right about the tv, maybe that's why it didn't seem right. Thanks for the definitions, I totally take on board what you're saying about snapshots and will certainly try and think more about the intent of the picture before a shot.