I'm confident that none of these pictures are any good.

[Ron Evers]

Your images seem flat & mostly under exposed except for the trash can which is not in sharp focus. However, I did see the irony of the trash outside the barrel.

I have the same camera & it is capable of great shots even if it will not shoot in RAW without a hack.

 

[gina_d]

Mundane content is the biggest culprit whether you follow and apply elements of composition or not.

the problem with these is they don't really have much of a subject. they are just snap shots.

I think you just need to focus on finding a more interesting subject.

A trash can? And you didn't even police up the trash around it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It seems to me you've been handed a mixed bag here - some wonderful advice on things of a technical nature and some not so great advice on things of an artistic nature.

As a new subscriber here, I've been reading quite a lot and commenting little, but I'm noticing what seems to be a pattern here from my perspective. There are some people here (the majority who respond) who can offer wonderful technical advice, knowledge, and experience. I wouldn't hesitate to ask a question of that nature on this forum. As for the creative, artistic side of things? I'm less convinced and have actually seen far more here that leads me to believe this isn't the place to be soliciting advice of that kind.

Clearly your photos are not snapshots. There's a great deal to be said for shooting what's around you and the commentary that can be made in this chronicling of the seemingly mundane and banal. (William Eggleston, anyone?) The garbage littered trash can with the "Keep Omaha Beautiful" sign was clever enough. That doesn't mean there isn't room for improving how you decide to take the shot technically, but to pass over the subject because someone else might think it mundane? Bad idea. You said you walked around the place for half an hour or so I think and this was all you found. Then that's the story - your story of that day in these photos. Look, I enjoy a beautiful flower, tree or sunset as much as the next person - nature is a marvel to us all - but there's such a homogeneity of subject matter in these photos that they become easily passed over, tuned out.

I found your photos interesting because you included something unusual... something about the life we all experience (trash can), a bit of a different take on the beautiful (a run down fence juxtaposed with the gorgeous sky), and the human interest bit because it told your story of your walk around this place that day.

Seriously, don't listen to anyone tell you what to shoot. That's your call. As for the technical side? I'd soak up all you can - they know some stuff.

 

[kundalini]

I'm confident that none of these pictures are any good.

I am confident that this mindset will produce mediocre results.

 

[KevinPutman]

Wow Gina, an amazing post. Thanks a lot for that feedback ^-^
As my failed graphic artist calling taught me, I'm not the most creative person around. But even after my walk around the lake, everything seemed so repetitive. Maybe it was just location, but nothing really stood out. All the plants looked bland, and the same. The sunset was nice, yes. But the area around me ruined the whole ordeal, with the cookie cutter houses in the background, to the repetitive, leafless trees all over. I'm sure if I find better locations to shoot, things will be better. But around here it's all just so boring. Even with a creative eye.

I'm confident that none of these pictures are any good.

I am confident that this mindset will produce mediocre results.

I believe that having a negative outlook on my photos allows me to take criticism better.
If I go in thinking I have a great photo, then it gets shot down because it's absolutely terrible, it doesn't sting as bad. But when I think my photo might not be up to par, but someone comes along and tells me that it's actually very good, it helps raise my confidence about my skills.
^-^

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Mundane content is the biggest culprit whether you follow and apply elements of composition or not.

the problem with these is they don't really have much of a subject. they are just snap shots.

I think you just need to focus on finding a more interesting subject.

A trash can? And you didn't even police up the trash around it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It seems to me you've been handed a mixed bag here - some wonderful advice on things of a technical nature and some not so great advice on things of an artistic nature.

As a new subscriber here, I've been reading quite a lot and commenting little, but I'm noticing what seems to be a pattern here from my perspective. There are some people here (the majority who respond) who can offer wonderful technical advice, knowledge, and experience. I wouldn't hesitate to ask a question of that nature on this forum. As for the creative, artistic side of things? I'm less convinced and have actually seen far more here that leads me to believe this isn't the place to be soliciting advice of that kind.

Clearly your photos are not snapshots. There's a great deal to be said for shooting what's around you and the commentary that can be made in this chronicling of the seemingly mundane and banal. (William Eggleston, anyone?) The garbage littered trash can with the "Keep Omaha Beautiful" sign was clever enough. That doesn't mean there isn't room for improving how you decide to take the shot technically, but to pass over the subject because someone else might think it mundane? Bad idea. You said you walked around the place for half an hour or so I think and this was all you found. Then that's the story - your story of that day in these photos. Look, I enjoy a beautiful flower, tree or sunset as much as the next person - nature is a marvel to us all - but there's such a homogeneity of subject matter in these photos that they become easily passed over, tuned out.

I found your photos interesting because you included something unusual... something about the life we all experience (trash can), a bit of a different take on the beautiful (a run down fence juxtaposed with the gorgeous sky), and the human interest bit because it told your story of your walk around this place that day.

Seriously, don't listen to anyone tell you what to shoot. That's your call. As for the technical side? I'd soak up all you can - they know some stuff.

I've read your post and did some thinking. You are absolutely right. These images are are beautiful! They really strike to the core of the human condition, with such illustrative storytelling.
Kevin, it would do you well to include these images in a portfolio, and start soliciting art galleries. You are well on your way! Gina really seems to know something about art judging by this, and other posts I've read from her. Take heed of her advice, and ignore others here who really know absolutely nothing.





I like M&M's too!

 

[kundalini]

Having a negative outlook on your photos allows you to not take responsibility or ownership of their misgivings, of your ignorance, and your lack of experience, much less to take actions which will elevate you above the masses. It alleviates you from self-censorship and prognosticates your pending doom in the art of photography. Is that how you see yourself?.... a failure? ,,, never to improve beyond you infancy? That, IMO, is a sad path to trod upon.

 

[KevinPutman]

Having a negative outlook on your photos allows you to not take responsibility or ownership of their misgivings, of your ignorance, and your lack of experience, much less to take actions which will elevate you above the masses. It alleviates you from self-censorship and prognosticates your pending doom in the art of photography. Is that how you see yourself?.... a failure? ,,, never to improve beyond you infancy? That, IMO, is a sad path to trod upon.

I blame the quality of my photos on just that,
my lack of experience.
I've been through the same thing learning graphic design. I started out and knew I was bad. But I'm not the person to say "Hey I'm bad, I think I'll just half-a$$ it and hope for the best."
Right now I know I'm not the most talented photographer, which is why I'm here. To learn, and push myself to become better.

I don't see myself as a failure,
I see myself as a small, seemingly insignificant spark, that's waiting to ignite.


Also @ Bitter Jewler,

thanks I really appreciate that,
and I will definitely take her advice and hop on my road to becoming better. =D

 

[kundalini]

I don't see myself as a failure,

Boom, there it is. :thumbsup:

 

[gina_d]

I've read your post and did some thinking. You are absolutely right. These images are are beautiful! They really strike to the core of the human condition, with such illustrative storytelling.
Kevin, it would do you well to include these images in a portfolio, and start soliciting art galleries. You are well on your way! Gina really seems to know something about art judging by this, and other posts I've read from her. Take heed of her advice, and ignore others here who really know absolutely nothing.


I like M&M's too!

I'm pretty sure I went out of my way to emphasize there is a great deal to be learned from all the experienced and knowledgeable people here. If comprehension is a problem, slow down, take notes, and read it as many times as needed.

Offering advice of a technical nature is very, very different than telling someone what they should be shooting. It may not be your cup of tea, but that has nothing to do with the technical merits... or lack there of. Since when is it your job or anyone else's to tell someone what they should be shooting? Unless you're commissioning the work, that's not really your concern. I mentioned how the nature shots can become mundane for me just based on pure overload, but that doesn't mean I go around posting that on people's work. I just take in what I can learn on the technical aspects of the discussion and move on to the next photo. Subject matter is a purely personal choice. Your answer to make the guy's photos better is to shoot something you like a little more? Seriously?

 

[Lovelace]

I blame the quality of my photos on just that,
my lack of experience.

Well, the only way to get experience as a photographer is to do just what you've done here - take pictures. But as you take your pictures, try to be creative and come up with new ways of looking at things. Take upside down pictures, sideways pictures, closeups, faraway pictures, pictures of cool things, pictures of average things. Just keep taking pictures. But don't limit yourself to the point and shoot method. Dare to do something weird that'll make you look like a freak, like climbing up in a tree just to get a different angle, or going out at 5 in the morning just to get a shot of the sun rising. There's at least a hundred different ways you can look at anything, so challenge yourself and see how many different ways you can capture with a camera. The more you practice, the better you'll get. And you've already got a fair start.

 

[KevinPutman]

Gina, I think you should write a book,
I definitely agree there, most of what I've learned off this site, is about Apertures, ISO's, Shutter Speeds, and composition.

The creative side of photography is based off the photographer himself. No two are the same, and everyone feels differently about a photo.
What really takes skill is to emphasize the feeling that you get when you see the picture. You don't want it to be an inside joke, if you will. You want other people to feel the same way when they look at it too.


And @ Lovelace, I definitely need to get out and practice more. I live right by a lake, as well as a creek, unfortunately neither have many interesting subjects to photo. I live in Nebraska, so the flowers aren't quite in bloom, and trees are all leafless.

 

[Lovelace]

And @ Lovelace, I definitely need to get out and practice more. I live right by a lake, as well as a creek, unfortunately neither have many interesting subjects to photo. I live in Nebraska, so the flowers aren't quite in bloom, and trees are all leafless.

Ah, but there's where you're wrong. There are plenty of interesting subjects, no matter how silly they seem. It's not about the subjects you use, but how you portray them. The leafless trees might look cool from the bottom, and the still water can also be nice if you catch it at the right time, like in your picture with the fishing pole. The one with the fence is another good example. You turned something ordinary into something interesting by using a different angle. That's the kind of thing I'm talking about.

 

[gina_d]

I blame the quality of my photos on just that,
my lack of experience.

Well, the only way to get experience as a photographer is to do just what you've done here - take pictures. But as you take your pictures, try to be creative and come up with new ways of looking at things. Take upside down pictures, sideways pictures, closeups, faraway pictures, pictures of cool things, pictures of average things. Just keep taking pictures. But don't limit yourself to the point and shoot method. Dare to do something weird that'll make you look like a freak, like climbing up in a tree just to get a different angle, or going out at 5 in the morning just to get a shot of the sun rising. There's at least a hundred different ways you can look at anything, so challenge yourself and see how many different ways you can capture with a camera. The more you practice, the better you'll get. And you've already got a fair start.

Yep, agreed. As far as the experience and subject matter issues, this couldn't be better advice.

I'm not familiar with this photographer, but the article seemed to be pertinent to the discussion at hand and thought you might want to take a look for some inspiration. Photographing The Mundane - Anil Sud

Mundane subjects, by necessity, are going to require extra effort on the part of the photographer, to create a visually appealing image and therefore, can provide useful training grounds in refining one’s visual skills. By seeking out ordinary subjects in our daily world, and striving to capture them in a special way, we can hone our photographic prowess so that when we are presented with wonderful subject matter in spectacular light our vision is already refined allowing us to shoot instinctively.

Best of luck!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I've read your post and did some thinking. You are absolutely right. These images are are beautiful! They really strike to the core of the human condition, with such illustrative storytelling.
Kevin, it would do you well to include these images in a portfolio, and start soliciting art galleries. You are well on your way! Gina really seems to know something about art judging by this, and other posts I've read from her. Take heed of her advice, and ignore others here who really know absolutely nothing.


I like M&M's too!

I'm pretty sure I went out of my way to emphasize there is a great deal to be learned from all the experienced and knowledgeable people here. If comprehension is a problem, slow down, take notes, and read it as many times as needed.

No. In your second paragraph, you panned the thought of asking for creative advice here and, basically, recommend that this forum is only good for the technical aspects of photography.

Offering advice of a technical nature is very, very different than telling someone what they should be shooting. It may not be your cup of tea, but that has nothing to do with the technical merits... or lack there of. Since when is it your job or anyone else's to tell someone what they should be shooting? Unless you're commissioning the work, that's not really your concern. I mentioned how the nature shots can become mundane for me just based on pure overload, but that doesn't mean I go around posting that on people's work. I just take in what I can learn on the technical aspects of the discussion and move on to the next photo. Subject matter is a purely personal choice. Your answer to make the guy's photos better is to shoot something you like a little more? Seriously?

You do make your point here. While you did not actually say "how the nature shots can become mundane for me just based on pure overload", I believe that is in part exactly where my thoughts were in my original post. I will give that more thought.

Your comparison to Eggleston, only applies in it's purist distilled form, and disregards that he was an early pioneer of color photography, and fails to acknowledge the art movements of that time. Williams' images have dark and often sinister undertones. But yes of course at face value, he took pictures of mundane things.

 

[gina_d]

First of all, thank you for a thoughtful reply.

I've read your post and did some thinking. You are absolutely right. These images are are beautiful! They really strike to the core of the human condition, with such illustrative storytelling.
Kevin, it would do you well to include these images in a portfolio, and start soliciting art galleries. You are well on your way! Gina really seems to know something about art judging by this, and other posts I've read from her. Take heed of her advice, and ignore others here who really know absolutely nothing.


I like M&M's too!

I'm pretty sure I went out of my way to emphasize there is a great deal to be learned from all the experienced and knowledgeable people here. If comprehension is a problem, slow down, take notes, and read it as many times as needed.

No. In your second paragraph, you panned the thought of asking for creative advice here and, basically, recommend that this forum is only good for the technical aspects of photography.

Yes... and I mentioned three times the technical knowledge and experience of the members here, how I wouldn't hesitate to ask a question of that nature and that there is a lot to be learned.

I think it's a fair assessment on my part that I also said I'm less convinced as to advice on creative matters based on what I've read so far. But then that begs the question of whether one should be asking for advice on creative matters (meaning the things that are purely a personal aesthetic choice) in an open forum such as this. I personally don't love the idea of offering up my creative decision-making process to the dissection and advice-giving of the masses. Others may be of a different mind. I would think it'd be difficult to trust the aesthetic sensibilities of the crowd and I don't think creative endeavors should be watered down by a crowd anyway. I think that's just asking for trouble, but then technical advice? Absolutely. That works here and further, the people here rock at it. I'm not sure it even needs to be both, you know?