Looking for Feedback!

[RigbyhasStripes]

I'm new here, new to photography, and thought I'd get some constructive criticism on what I've been working on lately. Photo taken with nothing special... Panasonic DMC-TS20....

Thanks for your time!

 

[Cortian]

I like it. Good focus & DoF on the subjects, nicely-OOF background. Interesting contrast and contrasting colours.

 

[smoke665]

Good use of leading lines, though I probably would have backed up or changed the angle such that I could have gotten all the lettering on the right. The shadow at the bottom is a distraction.

 

[waday]

I like taking pictures of signs, too. I see the possibility for some cool textures going on here. I have a few comments:

• To me, this doesn't work in the aspect you have it in. The subject is horizontal spanning the image, so square crop to me makes it slightly awkward.
• Agree with smoke665, that getting more of the lettering in might be better for the overall image. A different angle might help, as well.
• I see some fake blur/fake shallow depth of field going on here:
  • Fake blur/shallow DOF isn't bad if (1) it is correctly applied--i.e., it looks real--and (2) it makes sense for what you mean to convey
  • IMO, the fake blur here is overt, which detracts from the photo.
  • What was the reason for wanting a shallow DOF?

 

[Light Guru]

I don't like the fake depth of field on the image. Its quite obvious and rather distracting/unsettling. The image is in focus then goes out of focus then back in focus.

The sign is in focus then suddenly the pole/gate coming in from the left holding the sign is out of focus and yet the large rock that is behind that gate is in focus.

 

[RigbyhasStripes]

Thank you for all your feedback! Being a complete noob with photography, I completely missed a lot of what has been pointed out.

Good use of leading lines, though I probably would have backed up or changed the angle such that I could have gotten all the lettering on the right. The shadow at the bottom is a distraction.

I see what you're saying, and I will take that in to reference for future pictures I take of similar subjects.

I like taking pictures of signs, too. I see the possibility for some cool textures going on here. I have a few comments:

• To me, this doesn't work in the aspect you have it in. The subject is horizontal spanning the image, so square crop to me makes it slightly awkward.
• Agree with smoke665, that getting more of the lettering in might be better for the overall image. A different angle might help, as well.
• I see some fake blur/fake shallow depth of field going on here:
  • Fake blur/shallow DOF isn't bad if (1) it is correctly applied--i.e., it looks real--and (2) it makes sense for what you mean to convey
  • IMO, the fake blur here is overt, which detracts from the photo.
  • What was the reason for wanting a shallow DOF?

A big reason for how this photo is later out would be that I really just took it on instinct; I framed the sign how I saw it in the moment and snapped away. In all honesty, depth of field wasn't even in my mind(HUGE newbie mistake), as well as a lot of what you all pointed out today.
Now, the blurring I did figure would get noticed as fake considering I used the AfterFocus app on my phone to edit the original image. The camera I currently have is really just a quick point and shoot Lumix (he says with slight embarrassment). Apologies for the fake aspects of the photo, as I have yet to find out how to get good focus and DOF out of it(if it even is completely capable). Apologies for not statung thes nuances earlier; I still am very grateful for the responses and expertise of this community as I continue to learn!

 

[Designer]

.. I have yet to find out how to get good focus and DOF out of it(if it even is completely capable).

What does the user's manual have to offer?

 

[waday]

Thank you for all your feedback! Being a complete noob with photography, I completely missed a lot of what has been pointed out.

Good use of leading lines, though I probably would have backed up or changed the angle such that I could have gotten all the lettering on the right. The shadow at the bottom is a distraction.

I see what you're saying, and I will take that in to reference for future pictures I take of similar subjects.

I like taking pictures of signs, too. I see the possibility for some cool textures going on here. I have a few comments:

• To me, this doesn't work in the aspect you have it in. The subject is horizontal spanning the image, so square crop to me makes it slightly awkward.
• Agree with smoke665, that getting more of the lettering in might be better for the overall image. A different angle might help, as well.
• I see some fake blur/fake shallow depth of field going on here:
  • Fake blur/shallow DOF isn't bad if (1) it is correctly applied--i.e., it looks real--and (2) it makes sense for what you mean to convey
  • IMO, the fake blur here is overt, which detracts from the photo.
  • What was the reason for wanting a shallow DOF?

A big reason for how this photo is later out would be that I really just took it on instinct; I framed the sign how I saw it in the moment and snapped away. In all honesty, depth of field wasn't even in my mind(HUGE newbie mistake), as well as a lot of what you all pointed out today.
Now, the blurring I did figure would get noticed as fake considering I used the AfterFocus app on my phone to edit the original image. The camera I currently have is really just a quick point and shoot Lumix (he says with slight embarrassment). Apologies for the fake aspects of the photo, as I have yet to find out how to get good focus and DOF out of it(if it even is completely capable). Apologies for not statung thes nuances earlier; I still am very grateful for the responses and expertise of this community as I continue to learn!

No need to apologize! You are open to learning, and that’s the best thing you can be!

There’s also no embarrassment in a point and shoot. You’ll find that many of us use point and shoots when we can’t or don’t bring our main cameras. I often use P&S while on vacation.

Shallow DOF on a P&S will be kind of hard.

Keep shooting and posting here for feedback!

 

[Boutch]

I actually like leaving half of the sign out. In my opinion, it adds to the image, as the viewer must fill in the pieces. It's a more interactive and engaging style. But as I said, that's just my opinion, based off my own preferences.