Critique Please - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/12/2002 11:54:20 PM · #1

In the Garden of Good and Evil

I would like some critique on this photo... I intentionally exposed this one a little dark to try to silhouette the statue, but also to leave enough exposure to see some of the detail. My framing is not quite correct... I am a little too close to the left edge with the statue.. comments appreciated :)

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

07/13/2002 12:14:26 AM · #2

Technically, the only negative comment I would make is something you have already identified -- the framing. Otherwise, this is a very good picture.
Frankly, the subject matter doesn't move me a whole lot. BUT, that is just a personal opinion. It just lacks something -- maybe a different angle to show a different context, or maybe some other colors in it. I'm not sure how that could be done, or even IF it could be done, but just the presence of basically three colors leaves it wanting to me.

Having said that -- remember the source of this critique, oh mighty photography genius from North Carolina (had to throw that last part in, you understand *grin*) from your WNC fan with a lot lower average! :-)

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

07/13/2002 12:17:29 AM · #3

karmat, do u think this would look good on a solid black background with higher exposure on the statue?

David Ey

Nikon D80

07/13/2002 12:19:35 AM · #4

Is it just me or does a limited color photo need a little texture to accent it a little? This one looks a little smooth to me.
I don''t know how to do that though, the subject being what it is.

* This message has been edited by the author on 7/13/2002 12:21:04 AM.

Patella

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

07/13/2002 12:25:44 AM · #5

John,

Solid black background might do it -- with just that little touch of color to the statue. Have you tried converting to B&W? I assume you would have, but thought I'd ask anyway...

Froober

Canon EOS-10D

07/13/2002 12:30:06 AM · #6

I'll probably find some version of this on your humor page but I owe ya one for critiquing my un-submission so here goes. The photo is beautiful but kind of hard for me to look at. I think that may be because there is so much green and the trees are so blurry. My eye is focusing on the details of the statue and it keeps trying to focus on the trees because the statue and trees kind of run together chromatically...make any sense? It might be a little too dark too. I hope you don't mind, but I desaturated it and lightened it up in ps. It was easier to look at but it lost the fitting ambiance of the original. And if you really want some nit-picking, a little light bounced up on the bottom of her platters might be nice. I think your title is great for the statue...looks like she's waying her options. The camera angle is good too.

Thanks for finally putting something out there that I don't think is absolutely perfect. Maybe you are human afterall. :P

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

07/13/2002 12:30:17 AM · #7

For me, there is too little light on the subject, and too much on the background. The angle really does not work either, unless you have a perspective shift lens, or adjust it in PS.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/13/2002 12:31:39 AM · #8

I don't know exactly what you are wanting to do with this picture, but since it is refers to good AND evil, what if you had one side of the background black and the other white? (This looks cheesy, I just tried it). Or if you could find a picture of a totally surreal sunrise/sunset and do some PS to it to give it an apocalyptic look. OR if you could find/take a picture of two men or something fighting and make them fill the background.

These might not make any sense, and they may not suit your purposes at all, but hey, it's after midnight on Friday, whaddya expect?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/13/2002 12:31:54 AM · #9

I will try the black and white...

Lisa,

thanks for the comment.. I need to redo this statue and see if i can work up a better background for it...

The title of this is from a movie by the same name.. this statue is on the cover of the book... :)

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

07/13/2002 12:36:13 AM · #10

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
[i]I need to redo this statue [i]

Oh, so your a sculptor TOO! :-)

Froober

Canon EOS-10D

07/13/2002 12:48:38 AM · #11

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I will try the black and white...

I need to redo this statue and see if i can work up a better background for it...

Well, so long as you're going to re-do it, I'd love to see an aerial view of it. Maybe you could climb one of those monster trees and take a couple shots...couldn't be any harder than simultaneously riding a motorcycle and shooting a picture.

I thought that movie was about N'Orleans...

07/13/2002 12:53:14 AM · #12

I haven''t seen the movie so I couldn''t tell you much about it.. i just know that the statue is in Savannah, Georgia. I should climb that tree :) but this statue is only about 12 inches tall... :)

* This message has been edited by the author on 7/13/2002 12:53:31 AM.

timj351

Sony DSC-F707

07/13/2002 01:05:08 AM · #13

Well you asked for it. Where do I start :? ) My first impression was either 'cool' or 'wow', I can't remember which. I'm drinking a Hefeweizen so I can't remember. Anyways, I really like the subject matter. I think statues are really cool and I have made it a point to photograph more of them. I like the upward angle but I think it needs something more, like perhaps a light fill flash to bring out more of the details that are lost in the shadows, like under the hands or using a polarizing filter to help make the sky bluer. The background values do clash a bit with the statue so shifting the angle may help with that. It maight be a great subject to photograph at night in moonlight with a long exposure on a tripod, of course. like I said, you asked.

Tim J