Last light of the day

[Natalie]

Lately I've been trying to photograph things other than animals, and I'm finding it more difficult than I expected. I went out today right before sunset to play with the warm light a bit, but I'm still not entirely satisfied with the results. They just don't really seem interesting to me? And I can't tell if that's because I'm just used to shooting animals (which are inherently more interesting than wood, IMO), of if the shots actually are uninteresting. I took about 50 photos today and only got two that I would even consider sharing. What do you guys think? What could I have done differently? These were both taken with my 100mm macro.


1/200 sec, f/9.0, ISO 400, no flash


1/200 sec, f/9.0, ISO 100, flash

 

[Snakeguy101]

The second one is very nice but I think you need a better subject for the first image.

 

[Frequency]

personally i liked both. First one has qualities of an abstract work. Second one, even though a common theme, is skilfully framed
Regards

 

[KenC]

The pattern and texture in the second are very nice. Good use of flash. That 100/2.8 macro is a great lens.

 

[Natalie]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I prefer the second one as well, I just wish the sky was either completely gray or completely blue... Having just the small amount of blue at the bottom is a bit distracting, IMO. I think it would have looked more interesting if the background had been completely cloudy.

 

[Derrel]

I like the second photo quite a bit. I have myself taken photos a lot like that. I enjoy the interplay of the blue sky and the grayish clouds and the gnarled limbs. This photo has VERY strong lines, and a strong pattern, and as such it is based on solid,fundamental elements of design (line and pattern). The strong sidelighting helps bring in a third design element, which is texture. I am sure that at a larger size, the texture of the gnarled limbs is much,much more visible than at this diminutive web-based size. Nicely seen Natalie!

 

[Natalie]

Thanks! When I was taking the shot, I actually didn't realize the subtle symmetry to the branches and I almost deleted the file. I was just concentrating on getting the exposure and color right that I didn't give much thought to the composition at the time.

 

[Derrel]

Thanks! When I was taking the shot, I actually didn't realize the subtle symmetry to the branches and I almost deleted the file. I was just concentrating on getting the exposure and color right that I didn't give much thought to the composition at the time.

NEVER delete images in the field!!! A prize-winning nature photograph of the year, of a hippo underwater in an African river, was almost deleted in the field by the photographer...he said it looked kind of iffy on the LCD and he almost deleted it....but back at the computer, he realized what a simply incredible image was in there, of a hippo in the murky waters, blowing water out of its nostrils as it submerged...the shot was incredible, and won a large monetary prize for European nature photo of the year back in 2002 or '03.

Memory cards are big and cheap these days...it's best to shoot and not delete in the field. At times, in-field review is a huge waste of shooting time and opportunities, and can cost you the "killer shot" while you're busy reviewing when you should be shooting.

 

[camz]

1/200 sec, f/9.0, ISO 100, flash

:thumbup:

 

[camz]

Thanks! When I was taking the shot, I actually didn't realize the subtle symmetry to the branches and I almost deleted the file. I was just concentrating on getting the exposure and color right that I didn't give much thought to the composition at the time.

NEVER delete images in the field!!! A prize-winning nature photograph of the year, of a hippo underwater in an African river, was almost deleted in the field by the photographer...he said it looked kind of iffy on the LCD and he almost deleted it....but back at the computer, he realized what a simply incredible image was in there, of a hippo in the murky waters, blowing water out of its nostrils as it submerged...the shot was incredible, and won a large monetary prize for European nature photo of the year back in 2002 or '03.

Memory cards are big and cheap these days...it's best to shoot and not delete in the field. At times, in-field review is a huge waste of shooting time and opportunities, and can cost you the "killer shot" while you're busy reviewing when you should be shooting.

Something new I learned!

 

[Natalie]

Thanks again for the replies! Yes, not deleting images is something I've been getting better at over the past couple years. I've found that often the ones I like the least in the field tend to be the ones I like the best on the computer, and the ones I thought were spectacular on the LCD screen are actually just so-so once I get them onto the computer.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I like 2 too. I know for sure it will look great B&W as well.

 

[COLTSFANATIC1]

I like the second one alot,

 

[camz]

Thanks again for the replies! Yes, not deleting images is something I've been getting better at over the past couple years. I've found that often the ones I like the least in the field tend to be the ones I like the best on the computer, and the ones I thought were spectacular on the LCD screen are actually just so-so once I get them onto the computer.

My logic behind deleting images was saving time during the culling workflow at post. But if I really delve into how long it really takes to cull in photo mechanics, it only takes me about 45 minutes for a whole wedding. It probably wouldn't save me much time if I were to delete during the shoot. So the risk/reward of having actually deleted a good image got me thinking - just shoot away instead.

Nice image Natalie.

 

[Joel_W]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I really like image #1. It has sense of character as it held my interest for a lot longer then I thought it would. I could almost feel the pealing of the bark. To me photo #2 is the type of winter subject that I really struggle with, and 9 times out of 10 just pass right by. I guess a lot has to do with my photography passion for florals.