New and looking for C&C

[Wardy1987]

Hello All,

I have just got into photography and am looking for some C&C on what i have been doing so far.

I have a Nikon D5100 however only have the 18-55 f3.5-5.6 at the min. I am looking at getting the 50mm 1.4 AFS once i have enough cash but the way things are going this could take some time lol

All of the photos were taken in the same location on a water just round the corner from where i live (Mansfield, Nottinghamshire UK if anyone is interested).

#1


I was quite happy with how this shot turned out maybe it is just me.


#2


I am unsure on this image. Thinking maybe i could crop it as i don't like the swan in the middle.

#3

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wardy1987/6132810941/
One of my first attempts at night photography. Was taken at F8 for about 10 seconds if i remember correctly.

Any feedback good or bad is appreciated. Without knowing what i am doing right or wrong i will never get any better.

This is my first post with pics so fingers crossed i got it correct!

Thanks

Alan Ward

 

[JMBriggs]

#1 I would like to see in color. I do like it though.
#2 I would look up the rule of thirds... the center comp just doesn't work...
#3 I like but something feels off???

Good start though! Practice makes perfect! ( =

 

[fjrabon]

1) Too much vignetting, and the subject has lost a lot of detail, due to being overexposed. One of the greatest things about birds is the feather texture, and you lost this here. The shot and composition were EXCELLENT here though. Love where you place the subject, love the reflections and ripples.

2) Too centered. You can be centered if you have symmetry or if you're zoomed in extremely tight, but this picture doesn't have symmetry and it's not zoomed in tight, so you should stick to the rule of thirds here. That is, place the bird on either the left or right 1/3 line of the frame. Here, since the bird is looking slightly to the picture's right side, I'd crop it so that the bird is on the picture's left 1/3rd.

3) It's a well composed shot, you hit the right spot with the horizon. I like the exposure. I like the symmetry of the dock. Great sue of foreground, midground, background. There's just not really anything interesting here. I love the atmosphere though. The subject seems to be the dock, but it's a pretty boring dock.

 

[Wardy1987]

Thanks for the feedback.

I really do have to agree with your comments now the issues have been raised they appear to be obvious.

I will be going out shooting again this weekend so will take on what you have said and see what the results are like.

As you requested it JMBriggs i will upload the colour version of image 1


swan by wardy1987, on Flickr

 

[JMBriggs]

Much better! IMO a big part of the beauty in this shot is the reflection.... Which I feel just looks better in color! Love it!

 

[Wardy1987]

Thanks again for the help. I am looking forward to the weekend to get out shooting again.

It is a shame winter is here now i dont like how it is dark on way to work and the same on way home. Only chance i get with the camera is the weekends now : /

 

[KmH]

The centered composition can work if you crop to a square frame.

Photography Composition - What Could You Be Doing Better?

Advanced Composition -- Part I

When it's dark....Use flash