Need some input, please :)

granolamom · Nov 17, 2009

Hi everybody!

I'm new here, and signed up because I am applying to design school and am preparing a portfolio. I have to include a variety of different pieces and want to include a photograph or two, but really don't know much about what makes a good photograph as opposed to just a nice picture. They have to be artistic, have good composition, etc. I would love some input on some photos I have taken. I only have very basic knowledge of photography... have taken the Nikon beginners photography course and that's about it.

I would love it if I could post some photos and you let me know which ones are better and why. Thanks!

(EDITED out some photos for easier C&C)

robertwsimpson · Nov 17, 2009

I try not to take pictures of my shadows!

IgsEMT · Nov 17, 2009

Quickly glanced through it - seem to be overexposed - all of them.

granolamom · Nov 17, 2009

IgsEMT said:
Quickly glanced through it - seem to be overexposed - all of them.

Hmm... I guess I like my pictures bright :blushing:

KmH · Nov 17, 2009

granolamom said:
Hi everybody!

I'm new here, and signed up because I am applying to design school and am preparing a portfolio. I have to include a variety of different pieces and want to include a photograph or two, but really don't know much about what makes a good photograph as opposed to just a nice picture. They have to be artistic, have good composition, etc. I would love some input on some photos I have taken. I only have very basic knowledge of photography... have taken the Nikon beginners photography course and that's about it.

I would love it if I could post some photos and you let me know which ones are better and why. Thanks!

IMO, this is the best of the group. The diagonal of the dock leads the eye to the red boats. Having the middle of the image split neatly in 2 by the distant tree line detracts from visual tension in the image. That can be corrected by cropping the image to eliminate a large portion of the frame above the boats. The distant mountains and sky aren't really adding much to the main subject, the dock and the boats. Making images uses the same rules of composition that are used in graphic design.

Edit: I just noticed that you don't want your images edited, so I removed my edit to show what I mean.