Cow Skull C&C

[Skyclad]

So here is my first attempt finally. This was taken on my moms FinePix A900 P&S.

Before you C&C though, this camera has no manual settings at all. So there was no way for me to set DoF, ISO, Focus or any of that. All I can do is turn on/off flash, macro mode and IS.

With all that ruled out, that would only leave C&C for subject, composition, angle and what not. Hopefully I have an at least decent eye for that.

This is a cow skull in my front yard that I though would be a good subject to photograph at an attempt with my (lack of) skills

 

[dak1b]

crop some of the foreground out.

 

[Skyclad]

Slight cropping on this one. Hopefully it balances out better.

 

[sleist]

I think the skull would be a nice subject, but there is too much going on in this composition. All the other stuff serves as too much of a distraction. If you can, try moving the skull far enough away from the background so that it can be significantly out of focus. Also, choosing a background that is not the same color will help. This will help to isolate the subject more.

 

[misstwinklytoes]

I did a quick edit as well. I sharpened it some, got rid of some of the foreground and the red, round rock. Messed with the contrast some, too.

 

[Skyclad]

I think the skull would be a nice subject, but there is too much going on in this composition. All the other stuff serves as too much of a distraction. If you can, try moving the skull far enough away from the background so that it can be significantly out of focus. Also, choosing a background that is not the same color will help. This will help to isolate the subject more.

Unfortunately I wouldn't chance moving the skull since its been sitting there for almost 4 years now. I would be afraid that the bone might be brittle from sitting in 100+ Arizona temperature during the summers.

 

[Skyclad]

I did a quick edit as well. I sharpened it some, got rid of some of the foreground and the red, round rock. Messed with the contrast some, too.

That looks really good! Thank you Just by eliminating the one rock and cropping more of the foreground really cuts down the distractions as what sleist was talking about.


In my original crop, I was afraid of cropping too much, so I stayed reserved. Was my first attempt (at being subjective and creative), what can I say.

 

[misstwinklytoes]

Thanks.

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

This screamed at me... Black and white!!!!!

So I did this to see what it looked like....

Just a thought....

 

[a.rodgers]

i love the black and white version! it could still be cropped though

 

[Skyclad]

I think a B&W version of misstwinklytoes edit would be very nice!

 

[TJ K]

Here's my edit. Just did some sharpening, curves, exposure, crop, and my own vignette.

Just let me know if you want it taken down.

TJ

 

[Skyclad]

Here's my edit. Just did some sharpening, curves, exposure, crop, and my own vignette.

Just let me know if you want it taken down.

TJ

That looks really nice. Though in my eyes, it looks a little underexposed. But other than that.. very well done! :thumbup:


(When and where did I get thanked?!?!?)

 

[TJ K]

Ya probably it was a fast edit and i wanted to quickly fix the way blown out skull.
TJ

 

[doziergraphic]

The background just isn't going to work regardless of the crop or color correction. Too bad you can't/won't move it. even putting it in patch of dirt and maybe spares grass or some rocks would add a little more authenticity. Otherwise there's no way to keep it from looking like it's sitting outside your garage door.

but it's a cool skull!