I'm new here- please tell me what you think

[FireKitten]

I don't know if this is a good idea or not... but I'd like to hear some feedback on some photos I've taken that I really like. Let me preface it by saying that these have been taken over the past few years, with a P&S on Auto. (I know, insert cringe here) I was TOTALLY clueless to any manual settings, so while I would appreciate a little guidence on other areas, I guess the only thing that can really be critiqued is my composure. I have literally just started reading about Photography in the past month or so, so I know very little, none of these were taken since then... but do you see any potential in my pictures despite my lack of knowledge at the time they were taken?


1)

1 by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

2)

sfsdf by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

3)

021 by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

4)I did play around with this one in PS

02000 by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

5)

sdsdfsdsd by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

6)

Erin 075 by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

7)

Erin 049 by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

8)

Erin 074 by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

9)

DSC01749 by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

10)
sdfsdfsdfs by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

11)
Erin 035 by FireKitten2011, on Flickr

 

[mommy-medic]

With some cropping and post processing 7 would be a good visually leading shot.

It's not a family dinner you pretend to enjoy. It's "Hell's Kitchen". Brutal honesty, no sugar coating, expert knowledge.

 

[FireKitten]

With some cropping and post processing 7 would be a good visually leading shot.

It's not a family dinner you pretend to enjoy. It's "Hell's Kitchen". Brutal honesty, no sugar coating, expert knowledge.

Mmmmk, so there's absolutely NOTHING positive to say about any of the others? I didn't ask for brutal honesty because I had no idea what I was doing. I asked for some comments on my composure- which I don't really even understand yet... so I don't see how I can learn anything from your comment. I've seen tons of pictures posting right here on this forum that are visually less appealing to me and people compliment them? What gives? Where do you start when nothing is good enough? Maybe I should take some classes because I'm sure they don't tear you down the minute you walk through the door.

 

[sm4him]

Wait, what?? Nobody's tearing anyone down in this thread...yet. Mommy-Medic is just trying to forewarn you not to expect too much gentleness or handling with "kid gloves."

You've really posted way too many pictures to give you a good chance for good C&C; try posting just 1-5 pictures per thread. You will tend to get more detailed C&C on every picture that way. When you post this many, most people are just going to pick one or two that struck them as having potential on comment on them...OR, they're going to scan the pics, not see anything that really strikes them, and they are not going to bother to spend time making comments at all.

I'm sitting here on my computer when I really, really need to be getting ready for church, so I don't have time to comment in much detail on your photos now. I'll try to do so later, if I remember it.

But, as a general comment, I'd say you DO need to work on your composition--many of these have the subject right in the middle of the frame. Read up on the rule of thirds and practice it. Some of the photos show promise, in terms of what you are "seeing" and trying to capture, especially considering your experience level and equipment at the time.

Google "composition rules for photography" and then start really concentrating on practicing them.

I won't really comment on the lighting or technical aspects, since you've already stated you're not really looking for that.

Keep shooting!

 

[mommy-medic]

Actually my comment was only the top half. The bottom section was me editing my signature from my phone- which appears to be an epic failure- but still holds true for this place sorry. (I'm not claiming to be an expert- I'm saying that I've learned from this forum there ARE experts here - heck I came across someone who appears to shoot for national geographic here! Just be prepared for some to share their expertise with a Gordon Ramsay approach.)

 

[tlamour]

I agree with the rule of thirds. You should read up on it. And also learn about composition and main focus. I am also new so don't get discouraged. Download a few books. They really do help a lot. I'll send you some references. Keep shooting

D7000, iPhone 3GS

 

[FireKitten]

Wait, what?? Nobody's tearing anyone down in this thread...yet. Mommy-Medic is just trying to forewarn you not to expect too much gentleness or handling with "kid gloves."

You've really posted way too many pictures to give you a good chance for good C&C; try posting just 1-5 pictures per thread. You will tend to get more detailed C&C on every picture that way. When you post this many, most people are just going to pick one or two that struck them as having potential on comment on them...OR, they're going to scan the pics, not see anything that really strikes them, and they are not going to bother to spend time making comments at all.

I'm sitting here on my computer when I really, really need to be getting ready for church, so I don't have time to comment in much detail on your photos now. I'll try to do so later, if I remember it.

But, as a general comment, I'd say you DO need to work on your composition--many of these have the subject right in the middle of the frame. Read up on the rule of thirds and practice it. Some of the photos show promise, in terms of what you are "seeing" and trying to capture, especially considering your experience level and equipment at the time.

Google "composition rules for photography" and then start really concentrating on practicing them.

I won't really comment on the lighting or technical aspects, since you've already stated you're not really looking for that.

Keep shooting!

I'm totally okay with hearing what I can "work" on, (I know I NEED to work on everything, I'm absolutely not looking for anyone to say "Oh wow you're amazing!" haha, that's insane)

I want to know if, perhaps artistically speaking, there was anything I did right with these. They were almost all taken several states away so I don't even have the ability to re-shoot. I've been reading about Compostion... and I also have a book on Exposure that I'm reading first, so it's a lot to take in and I'm really trying to get a grasp on what everything means. These photos, to me, are what I was trying to capture given my camera at the time.

I have to say that I disagree that the subject is in the middle of the frame for most of them. Because only 3,4,&5 are in my opinion. All the other ones were taken the way they were because there was something I didn't like either to the left or the right of the subject, and I tried to offset the subject the best I could. For instance, the last photo was of rickety steps for a trail that had a very sharp drop off on the right, and a very sharp rise on the left. There was nowhere else to take that photo from if I wanted to not die, lol.

 

[FireKitten]

Actually my comment was only the top half. The bottom section was me editing my signature from my phone- which appears to be an epic failure- but still holds true for this place sorry. (I'm not claiming to be an expert- I'm saying that I've learned from this forum there ARE experts here - heck I came across someone who appears to shoot for national geographic here! Just be prepared for some to share their expertise with a Gordon Ramsay approach.)

Oh wow, Umm... yeah. I would say that was the part that got to me... because I felt like I was not asking for that sort of critiquing, LOL. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[MTVision]

In a lot of these either the subject is centered or the horizon is centered. Generally a picture with a centered horizon will look static and boring. Doesn't mean you can't ever have a centered horizon though.

#1 horizon is pretty centered and there are a bunch of people in the background unless that is what you are trying to show.

#5 isn't that interesting and the background is distracting.

#6 horizon is a little slanted and very centered

#8 - the horizon is centered here but I think it works. The image is almost symmetrical and I like it.

#10 - what is the main focal point here - the trees? The house? The horizon is in a good place.

Watch your backgrounds. They can make or break a photo.
I agree with everyone else. Read up on photography compositions. Rule of thirds is usually the most common but there is also: rule of odds, symmetry, simplicity, color, light, repetition, point of view, etc.

 

[FireKitten]

In a lot of these either the subject is centered or the horizon is centered. Generally a picture with a centered horizon will look static and boring. Doesn't mean you can't ever have a centered horizon though.

#1 horizon is pretty centered and there are a bunch of people in the background unless that is what you are trying to show.

Well it was a busy beach, lol... not sure how I was supposed to make the people dissappear, and I kinda like the color they add. The tree just caught my attention.

#5 isn't that interesting and the background is distracting.
I really loved the tree, but it was in the middle of a jam packed park. I do agree the background is distracting, I just thought the tree was very beautiful.

#6 horizon is a little slanted and very centered
It is slanted... I'm not really understanding the centered part though? Can you please explain. I think if I had a better camera and knew how to properly expose at the time that I could have showed a really interesting field of depth with all the trees in the swamp.

#8 - the horizon is centered here but I think it works. The image is almost symmetrical and I like it.
Again, not really understanding the centered thing...please forgive me, I want to understand. I was on a little dock with the shore on the right and going out at an angle. I really love this photo, but it's significant to me... I understand that nobody else here sees what I see because it's of senimental value. I would love to go back there and shoot when I know what I'm doing!

#10 - what is the main focal point here - the trees? The house? The horizon is in a good place.
The main focal point was the overall image, not just the big tree, and not the house, but the combination of the tree, dock, and house. I totally understand where you're coming from on asking that, I didn't know what I was going for. It was more a feeling then any specific thing.

Watch your backgrounds. They can make or break a photo.
I agree with everyone else. Read up on photography compositions. Rule of thirds is usually the most common but there is also: rule of odds, symmetry, simplicity, color, light, repetition, point of view, etc.

In terms of backgrounds, doesn't that have alot to do with the lens and choice of exposure? The camera and knowledge I had was obviously not adequate, I really look forward to learning how to apply all the advice. Thank you. I'm reading "Understanding Exposure" right now.

 

[MTVision]

I think there's one thing you have to know, from your pictures it looks like you have just started with photography, and you aren't going to be a great photographer over a night. You say that you had no idea what you were doing. Well, if you didn't had an idea what you were doing, then you shouldn't had posted all these images. It's a bad idea to post images for critique when there is nothing to critique? It's not awful photos, but so fare, it's just regular vaccation photos. Keep photographing for a year, find videos of photography on the internet, get to know your way around your camera, around photography, wait with posting photos untill you "know what you are doing".

Keep up with photography, learn the basics, learn from other photographers, from youtube, forums, read stuff. LEARN! You are going to be a great photographer if you just keep on doing it!

Wait a bit for the posting of critique. And a nother important thing to do, look at other photographers photos, see them, you are going to get your own style by looking at others styles. Mixing the styles you loke into one, one style for you.

Hope I've helped, keep on going!

Be sure to take a look at my blog, the link is in the section below!

Peace!

I don't necessarily agree with that. I agree with some of it. My first photos posted were taken a month after I got my camera. Now 4 months later I have improved tremendously from this site and from my own practice and research.

I agree that these are vacation photos but after she learns about composition she should go out, take some photos following the rules of composition and then post here. A lot of people that come here are just picking up a camera for the first time.

 

[FireKitten]

I think there's one thing you have to know, from your pictures it looks like you have just started with photography, and you aren't going to be a great photographer over a night. You say that you had no idea what you were doing. Well, if you didn't had an idea what you were doing, then you shouldn't had posted all these images. It's a bad idea to post images for critique when there is nothing to critique? It's not awful photos, but so fare, it's just regular vaccation photos. Keep photographing for a year, find videos of photography on the internet, get to know your way around your camera, around photography, wait with posting photos untill you "know what you are doing".

Keep up with photography, learn the basics, learn from other photographers, from youtube, forums, read stuff. LEARN! You are going to be a great photographer if you just keep on doing it!

Wait a bit for the posting of critique. And a nother important thing to do, look at other photographers photos, see them, you are going to get your own style by looking at others styles. Mixing the styles you loke into one, one style for you.

Hope I've helped, keep on going!

Be sure to take a look at my blog, the link is in the section below!

Peace!

Am I wrong to think that there is a such thing as at least "having an eye" for certain things? I wish I could properly explain what kind of feedback I was looking for. I know a lot of people who buy a DSLR and overnight call themselves a photographer, but yet I look at their photos and there is nothing even remotely interesting about them. Without the knowledge, I guess I was just asking if there was any artistic potential in my regular pics. Because I see people in my area making money at photography and they really suck! So much so that I decided to take it up myself so I could do my newborns pics and not have to pay someone else for it.

 

[MTVision]

In terms of backgrounds, doesn't that have alot to do with the lens and choice of exposure? The camera and knowledge I had was obviously not adequate, I really look forward to learning how to apply all the advice. Thank you. I'm reading "Understanding Exposure" right now.

Horizon is centered in the middle of the frame. Background has nothing to do with exposure or lens. Its all about you. You can move around so that you don't have a distracting background or change you point of view - shoot at a different angle l rather than straight on.

Also, it's not the camera that takes great pictures - its the person. You control composition not the camera. These images have sentimental value to you but they provoke no feelings in anyone else. Understanding Exposure is a good book but it's not going to teach you composition.

Do you know the distinction between a snapshot and a photograph. A snapshot is when you just take a photo with no regards for composition. The tree in the park may have been beautiful but I see a car and some other distracting stuff. If you take a picture of your kid and there are people standing behind in the picture - its a snapshot. If you take a picture of your kid with a plain non-distracting background its a photograph. Most landscape photos are taken with a large depth of field (pretty much everything in focus) so you wouldn't want unnecessary things in the frame.

 

[MTVision]

Am I wrong to think that there is a such thing as at least "having an eye" for certain things? I wish I could properly explain what kind of feedback I was looking for. I know a lot of people who buy a DSLR and overnight call themselves a photographer, but yet I look at their photos and there is nothing even remotely interesting about them. Without the knowledge, I guess I was just asking if there was any artistic potential in my regular pics. Because I see people in my area making money at photography and they really suck! So much so that I decided to take it up myself so I could do my newborns pics and not have to pay someone else for it.

Some people do have an "eye" for things but it's to look at your own photos and not like them. You have an emotional connection with them whereas we don't. Most people who have an "eye" for photography know the basic rules of composition. Once you know the basics and have a good understanding then you can break the rules. Until then you need to learn composition. Go out take some photos based on the rules, even with your point and shoot, then post them here. Take pictures of things that have no sentimental value to tou

 

[Kerbouchard]

I think there is definitely such a thing as 'having an eye' for photography. I am not one of those people, but believe I have seen it on very rare occasion in the work of some of the masters.

For me, and many others on this forum, I think we recognize that in general, there are certain rules of composition that have been established over thousands of years and take into account what is 'pleasing' to the eye. Many of your critiques mentioned you centering your subjects. In Composition, there is a fairly established 'rule of thirds', which basically means that if the photograph was divided in three sections, it's generally advisable to have the subject near one of those lines. It's not always true and doesn't always work for every photo, but more of an 'in general' type of rule.

Other comments referred to your horizons being tilted. This creates a sense of uneasiness in most viewers. Since we use the horizon and items that we know to be horizontal and vertical to base our orientation off of, it's akward to see a photo where they aren't correct.

The rest of your critiques I believe were based on background distractions. Another rule of composition is that if something is not adding to a photo, it should probably not be a part of it. This goes hand in hand with looking for new and unique angles to view things from so that you can emphasize what you want to be shown and eliminate those items that are a distraction.

Like I said, I don't personally pretend to have a 'gift of eye', or even an artistic nature. I'm an Engineer by trade, enjoy the technical aspects, and can memorize enough rules of what people think is pleasing to get by.