My VERY first shots!

Jmbeebe0722 · Nov 2, 2010

None of these pictures have been edited in anyway (I haven't learned how to yet! If you would like to edit them, I'd really appreciate it.)

I have had my camera less than 24 hours, would like constructive criticism on them. (I can handle it, I know they are NO where near perfect)

Couple shots of my girlfriend-- The first picture the skin is really pale...Any way to keep this from happening next time? Anyway to edit this... The sun was really bright.

Abby Rose · Nov 2, 2010

Too many! Limit it to 5 next time.

1 & 2. Leaves are interesting, usually, but these... arent. Maybe they could be, at different angles, or closer up. Did you use the built in flash? That usually doesnt help the picture any.

3. This is a better leaf. Perhaps shoot it at an angle more to the right so that you get less stem in the background? The whole thing seems dark, though.

4. Maybe focus on a tighter section of brush, with a blurrier background. I don't know where to look.

5. I find the background more interesting than the leaves in front.

6. The bridge and path on the left are more interesting than what you focused on. Though the leaves are a pretty color, with the light shining through.

7. I have very little experience in people photography, but I'll do my best to critique these.

She is in shadow and seems underexposed. Bright sunlight is usually bad for pictures. You can try and reflect light back onto her face with a large white paper or something.

8. The harsh lighting is no good. The background is busy and distracting, and she has a lightpost growing out of her head. I think the pose works, though.

9. The lighting is not nearly as bad here. I wish she had feet, though thats probably personal pref. What if you tried cropping out the sky and parts of the sides? I think the sky distracts from her, because its so bright. Next time, use a larger aperture and blur that background, if you can.

Keep practicing! I think you could be good. Have fun with the new camera!

Jmbeebe0722 · Nov 2, 2010

Abby Rose said:
Too many! Limit it to 5 next time.

1 & 2. Leaves are interesting, usually, but these... arent. Maybe they could be, at different angles, or closer up. Did you use the built in flash? That usually doesnt help the picture any.

3. This is a better leaf. Perhaps shoot it at an angle more to the right so that you get less stem in the background? The whole thing seems dark, though.

4. Maybe focus on a tighter section of brush, with a blurrier background. I don't know where to look.

5. I find the background more interesting than the leaves in front.

6. The bridge and path on the left are more interesting than what you focused on. Though the leaves are a pretty color, with the light shining through.

7. I have very little experience in people photography, but I'll do my best to critique these. She is in shadow and seems underexposed. Bright sunlight is usually bad for pictures. You can try and reflect light back onto her face with a large white paper or something.

8. The harsh lighting is no good. The background is busy and distracting, and she has a lightpost growing out of her head. I think the pose works, though.

9. The lighting is not nearly as bad here. I wish she had feet, though thats probably personal pref. What if you tried cropping out the sky and parts of the sides? I think the sky distracts from her, because its so bright. Next time, use a larger aperture and blur that background, if you can.

Keep practicing! I think you could be good. Have fun with the new camera!

Haha, my bad. :lol:

Thanks for the criticism. I truely apperciate it, as I know they can be much better. Being so young(16) and brand new to this hobby, I need the help.

Okie Photo© · Nov 2, 2010

Very nice, good starters. The best advice for now....is KEEEP SHOOOTING! :lol:

There is nothing better than some good ol fashion practice!!! Take full advantage of the guys and gals here, they are full of info!!

Just a quick edit I did on one of the photos because I was bored!

mjhoward · Nov 2, 2010

The last 3, it may sound dumb, but this is a situation where using your flash outdoors is actually a good idea. Just tinker around with flash compensation to get the right amount of fill.

Abby Rose · Nov 2, 2010

Jmbeebe0722 said:
Haha, my bad.

Thanks for the criticism. I truely apperciate it, as I know they can be much better. Being so young(16) and brand new to this hobby, I need the help.

I'm not that much older than you and I didnt start too long ago. But lemme tell you, I improved REAL quick when I started asking questions here.

@ Okie Photo, I like your edit.

chito beach · Nov 2, 2010

Jmbeebe0722 said:
Haha, my bad.

Thanks for the criticism. I truely apperciate it, as I know they can be much better. Being so young(16) and brand new to this hobby, I need the help.

concentrate on one idea at a time. For instance take landscape shots and see how light plays with the images. Work on composition of your shots

This is a good article on rule of 3rds in composition, and the big thing is to remember to have FUN!

Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition: Rule of Thirds

Okie Photo© · Nov 2, 2010

Abby Rose said:
@ Okie Photo, I like your edit.

Thank you very much! :thumbup:

I just posted some recent edits today!!

:Click Here:

reznap · Nov 3, 2010

Jmbeebe0722 said:
If you would like to edit them, I'd really appreciate it.

Less empty space in the frame is a good thing. Watch out for distortion caused by putting people on the outskirts of the frame, especially with wide angle lenses. The color balance was very cool... played with the RGB curves in photoshop (trying for a warm and vintage look).