My images are flat?

Framedlight · Jun 19, 2015

I havn't been able to put my finger on it, but I know realized that my photos are kind of flat. There's no depth. I don't know if I should change my settings or get a new lens? I have a Canon 1100D and a tamron which is very long.

Lars Ingar framedlight Instagram photos and videos

The one with the snapback has somewhat depth.
Any tips?

Dave442 · Jun 19, 2015

1) I don't recommend trying to fix things with GAS.
2) pick one shot and post it directly here.
3) the shadows and dark areas can add depth, don't be afraid of the dark.

Derrel · Jun 19, 2015

The first two shots appear to have been over-exposed in the camera, by a pretty high degree. Over-exposure washes out the sky detail, and makes things look, well, either burned out or "flat". A bit more work on getting the optimal exposure would help. If you can, try shooting in raw mode, or RW + JPEG, and work at making better pictures by processing the .CR2 raw files in the Canon DPP software...take the .CR2s and make a good JPEG file, and THEN apply the Instagram filters!!! The results will look great on Instagram.

Framedlight · Jun 19, 2015

Dave442 said:
1) I don't recommend trying to fix things with GAS.
2) pick one shot and post it directly here.
3) the shadows and dark areas can add depth, don't be afraid of the dark.

What is GAS?
Yeah, that will help, buut I don't know how to explain it. You can't really "dive into" my pictures. It's like a stone brick, but when I watch others photos it's like I can live in there.

Dave442 · Jun 19, 2015

Framedlight said:
What is GAS?

GAS: Gear Acquisition Syndrome
Just saying it can be too easy to look at a new lens as the solution.

The_Traveler · Jun 19, 2015

My guess is because the light is bad to start - and you don't know how to edit to best advantage.
Post a large image (>1200 pixels on the long side) of any of those indicated below - and maybe we can show you a couple of things.

Derrel · Jun 20, 2015

I looked at all your Instagram pics...shooting in snowfields on gray-sky days = FLAT light with TONS of fill, meaning alomost no shadows, and "flat", or omni-directional light. Solution: move out of Finland. lol.

Shooting in the woods in areas of open shade = the same flat, directionless lighting. Your issue in all of the IG shots that I saw was the same issue time and time again: flat lighting conditions, over and over. You need to shoot at times when there is at least some directionality to the lighting, to get some shadows, and some depth clues. Maybe shoot some side-lighted stiff, and use some flash fill-in. Try some "crisper" lighting, when the sun is up at 1,2,3,4,5 PM.

Framedlight · Jun 20, 2015

Derrel said:
I looked at all your Instagram pics...shooting in snowfields on gray-sky days = FLAT light with TONS of fill, meaning alomost no shadows, and "flat", or omni-directional light. Solution: move out of Finland. lol.

Shooting in the woods in areas of open shade = the same flat, directionless lighting. Your issue in all of the IG shots that I saw was the same issue time and time again: flat lighting conditions, over and over. You need to shoot at times when there is at least some directionality to the lighting, to get some shadows, and some depth clues. Maybe shoot some side-lighted stiff, and use some flash fill-in. Try some "crisper" lighting, when the sun is up at 1,2,3,4,5 PM.

Thank you! I think this is it. Ill plan my shooting sessions a little better next time, hahah.

Framedlight · Jun 20, 2015

The_Traveler said:
My guess is because the light is bad to start - and you don't know how to edit to best advantage.
Post a large image (>1200 pixels on the long side) of any of those indicated below - and maybe we can show you a couple of things.

View attachment 103703

The_Traveler · Jun 20, 2015

Lots of things combine to flatten this out.
very flat light, marginal shutter speed so there probably is a bit of motion blur, very cold bluish cast on everything, not sharpened, probably not the sweet spot of the lens for sharpness.
I sharpened only the figure a bit, removed as much blur as PS would without artifact, warmed up the figure a bit so she stood out from the bluish background and added a bit of saturation.

There should be more detail in this shot than there is, perhaps the flare off the lens is reducing it.
The shutter speed is probably on the edge of being too slow for a casual handhold of people/animals.

The_Traveler · Jun 20, 2015

The total bright spot for all of these is you have a great eye and creativity and just have to get by some technical hurdles and you will be producing wonderful images.