RETAKES and a new photo Hope these are better than before. C&C Please Thank You

Kerbouchard · Dec 26, 2011

photo guy said:
I have read up a little on a histogram but not enough to really understand it enough yet. I plan to keep reading up on it.

Well, the last post was a good example. Look at the histogram of the original. Notice the abrupt peak and abrupt decline. Then, crop it to a vertical orientation with just the left of the building and on the right, just before the blue lights reach their lowest point. Then look at that histogram.

The same image, but with a slightly different crop. If you can figure out why you have the drastic difference, you will be well on your way. Good luck to you.

photo guy · Dec 26, 2011

Thank You Kerbouchard. I will read up on it and try it.

photo guy · Dec 26, 2011

I was just rereading through and figured I would just give some more info. The subject was to be the Christmas lights. I know they are not perfect by a long shot but I am trying to learn how to do them better. I did use a tripod on some photos (as recommended) and did go earlier (as recommended) to see if that would help. I feel it did help on some of the photos I did, but not on all as a group. Thank you for helping make this a better learning forum this time for me by being polite. I appreicate it.

thereyougo! · Dec 26, 2011

Photo Guy, These ARE better but there is still too much black space in them. At all times in these shots they are low light enough to warrant the use of a tripod.

Two pieces of advice:

1/ Don't name people who you are finding unhelpful, it's better to ignore them when they are not on point or are being rude. Also try to tell the difference between rudeness and firmness. Sometimes there is a very fine line between them. It's also VERY hard to tell tone on the internet, so it's easy to misunderstand and to be misunderstood. You do need to have fairly thick skin if you are going to learn everything you need to.

2. I did advise you in a pm to read a bit more and learn a bit more before you post. I'm not saying you shouldn't post at all, just find something simple without the complications of low light or difficulties. Work on your exposure and composition. You may well have limited control over your exposure settings but you are the one behind the viewfinder and it's you who is responsible for framing the shot. Make sure you are really happy before you push the shutter. Review and edit them carefully(there's no valour in not editing, digital photos nearly always need some kind of editing, even if it's only a little sharpening.). unless you ahve a specific question about a shooting situation, try and post just a few, perhaps 3 of what you consider to be your best shots after editing. Use some examples from your reading and state in your [post what it was you were trying the achieve and the challenges you faced in getting the shot. If it's not good enough, don't post it here at all. You have to be the one running your quality control. This means you have to know what you are looking for and why you like a shot. this will involve more reading, but have patience and keep learning, that way you don't end up risking other people losing patience with you.

reissigree · Dec 29, 2011

I still can't tell if he's a troll or not.

photo guy · Dec 29, 2011

reissigree, your post above has nothing to do with this thread so why did you post it?

Bitter Jeweler · Dec 29, 2011

kamerageek · Dec 29, 2011

I'm not sure what it is you're trying to accomplish with your photographs. If it's just documentation then great, but in that case you need to use the flash to light up your scene. My first reaction was "Wow, these are dark!" It took a second look to figure out there was a car in the shot in #2.

A rule of thumb you need to keep in mind is always use a tripod when you're shooting in low light. You don't get extra points for the steadiness of your hand.

If you decide to try it again work on your focus and crispness. Once you get that licked you can work on exposure and then composition.

thereyougo! · Dec 29, 2011

Bitter Jeweler said:
Wow.

I know. I agree.

BlackSheep · Dec 29, 2011

reissigree said:
I still can't tell if he's a troll or not.

reissigree, by dredging this thread up (instead of just posting your opinion on the other already active thread) you are behaving more trollish than photoguy ever did. What's the point in that?

Seriously, what is it about the holidays that brings out the drama llama in everyone? (myself included, apparently). Argh.

Overread · Dec 29, 2011

I've already had to clean this thread out once already; If users have a private problem with another member of the site either try to resolve the problem through private messages with the person, ignore them or use the site ignore feature to remove their posts from view. If you feel that there is a problem worth moderator action then use the report button (small triangle in the lower left corner of every post made under a users profile).

Otherwise leave personal attacks/insults/jabs off the forum.

naptime · Dec 29, 2011

tpg: i dont know if you saw this thread that was posted earlier..

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photography-beginners-forum-photo-gallery/267492-info-those-new-photography.html

there are four VALUABLE links in there..

particularly #3, http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules

read through all of that... twice...

then read the rest. and more and more and more...

also... on your christmas lights... what camera are you using.. and what length of exposure...

if you got the composition nailed down better, and used a longer exposure they would look much better.

PictureBox · Dec 29, 2011

This is a beginner forum. As I see it, lots of folks are critiquing as though this is expert-professional work.

I don't think your photos are bad for what you're working with it.

Play with your shutter speed some and your ISO.

Keep cracking at it and most of all...make it fun!