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Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

01/01/2006 02:04:25 PM · #1

I have uploaded shots from a recent series of shots I just completed for my brother & sister-in-law of their dog, Shasta. Would love to hear your feedback. I'm ready to return your comments one for one (plus at least one usually), so let me know what you think!

Thanks in advance!

AzCKelly

Nikon D70s

01/01/2006 02:29:42 PM · #2

Very nice series there! You've really conveyed the playfulness of Shasta well. Good Work!

01/01/2006 03:04:20 PM · #3

You;ve got some really good shots here.

The way you have faded the background so as to not get in the way, or cause 'clutter' but still give some context/reality has worked really well. The only one where I would suggest working a little more on neatening the background would be #7 (wrinkles on sheet in middle, and wires on right).
You've captured some great expressions and sharpness, focus, dof etc are spot on.

some individual critiques:
#1
Its a nice idea, with the viewpoint looking over her standing (sitting) watch over the door, but the context may be made more clear with more of the door in view. Or conversely, seeing as you have the doormat for context, you could remove the door - the amount you have showing is enough to be clutter, but maybe not enough to be an element of the composition. hope that makes sense :)
The selective desat is subtle and effective. imo, you would be better replacing the faded border thingy with a similar but more subtle effect, ie without the top corners so geometric in their effect. After looking at it a while, it seems as though the head is slightly oversharpened in relation to the body, but the effect is good, just slightly overdone. And finally, (again i didnt notice this til spending a long time looking) the doormat could be more symmetrical, eg either filling the frame horizontally both sides or not both sides.

#2
wonderful expression, nice warmth to it. personally i'm not a fan of the title, the photo seems too nice for a candid quote. There seeems to be some haloing of some description round the head (using the term loosely) which could definitely be dealt with. Also, I'm not sure if the background could be smoothed in the middle left where there's that stray white bit going into the grey stripe. But this probably isnt really necessary, i'm just trying to find fault cos its an awfully nice photo. One finally thing you dont notice til staring at it for ages, is the background above her (his?) left (from my pov) canine. Possibly been missed out in postprocessing.

#3
one of my favourites of the series, good sharpness, beautiful expression, homely feel from the dreamy backgroun (fireplace?) and the blue toy really fits into the whole context perfectly. Not really sure of any criticism i'm afraid.

#4
another of my favourites, great expression, dreamy homely atmosphere, toy fits well... My one criticism would be the big difference on sharpness between the head and body.. I'd maybe try and sharpen the body a tiny bit to reduce that difference.

#5
The colour used is utterly beautiful, and the sharpness brings out the best of the duotone. Howeverr i'm not sure of the addition of the teddy in this one, seems out of place (despite the title) and the composition may be better without it - just a clean, crisp haracter portrait.

#6
The composition here is more dynamic and original than some of the others, which although very effective are fairly typical of pet portraits. Here, the blurred background (particularly the patch of light) accentuates the diagonals created by her body. Usual stuff, sharpness, focus, general goodness are all in order like the previous photos.

#7 (phew, i'm running outta steam)
This was the first thumbnail to grab my attention, nice dynamics between the two characters. As i've already mentioned, imho the backdrop could be cleaned up a little. It does seem like the focus isnt as spoton as in the other photos, but this may just be lack of sharpening. The black and white works well, but it doesnt seem as though you've got full use of the tonal range. this may be just cause i spend most of my time with real b+w film :-p But yeah, reallly nice.

Hope ya like my humble feedback, i'll copy n paste into the individual image pages in the next 10 mins or so

kirsty

01/01/2006 03:19:42 PM · #4

If you get a chance to return the favour,

here's one from my challenges (or choose your own)

or even better, my non challenge photos from here:
//photobucket.com/albums/v342/kmcn1/New%20Folder/

or here
//photobucket.com/albums/v342/kmcn1/industrial/

(if you chose these, leave comment in thread, i'm gonna pay for membership soon and will transfer to portfolio)

Or if you wanna wait til tues, my oops entry definitely needs some feedback.

Thanks :D

01/01/2006 03:30:25 PM · #5

Thanks everyone for the great feedback! All good observations and suggestions - I can always count on you to point out what I've done right and what I could improve on! :-)

Keep 'em coming! I'm getting them returned as quickly as I can - I'm almost keeping up - LOL.

kirsty_mcn: I left you comments on all of your DPC shots and I'll check out some of your photobucket shots too. :-)

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon

01/01/2006 03:47:25 PM · #6

cheers thats really good

k

cornettcag

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

01/01/2006 04:11:08 PM · #7

I really enjoy the color, texture and expression of the subjects in every photo. I have no personal experience with blurring but you have convinced me that it draws attention to the subject and enhances background as well as disguises unnecessary elements. I'm wondering about potential benefits of (additional?) cropping for two of the photos. [Individual comments with photos.]

Well, I kind of like this cat. I didn't expect much of a painted background shot through exhibit glass with a high ISO setting. What would you do to improve the photo?

Message edited by author 2006-01-01 16:18:19.

CalamitysMaster00

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM II

01/01/2006 04:14:57 PM · #8

2 & 5. I like the candidness of them and the non destracting lines. Very pleasing to the eye

cornettcag

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon

01/01/2006 04:59:56 PM · #9

The flower and placement of it are very sweet. The background is 'pixelly' on my screen. -Processing, image settings, white balance?

Message edited by author 2006-01-01 17:03:10.

01/01/2006 06:26:02 PM · #10

Originally posted by cornettcag:

The flower and placement of it are very sweet. The background is 'pixelly' on my screen. -Processing, image settings, white balance?

thanks for the feedback
from photog comments - 'If it weren't basic editing, i'd smooth the background which really bugs me'

I think it was introduced through postprocessing, but i didnt notice til too late and couldnt start over. I've been meaning to edit myself a nonchallenge version where i just smooth the background out with blur or median or something similar. When i get round to paying that $25 i'll upload a final version in my portfolio.

thx
k.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

01/01/2006 07:48:50 PM · #11

I believe I'm caught up returning comments, so if anyone else is interested bring 'em on! :-)

If I've overlooked you somehow or shortchanged you on comment returns, please don't hesitate to PM me and let me know - I'll make it right! (I know I hate it when I don't get promised comments returned! LOL)

missinseattle

Nikon D200

01/01/2006 09:21:44 PM · #12

Those are really good SJ. I love the one with your neice. Like someone else said, you really get the sense that he is watching over her. You captured that nicely.

SO here's my latest. Taken late this morning. I did edit it- adjusted curves ect because it was an overcast day. You can leave a comment there if you like.

Happy New year!
sunday Jan 1, 2006

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/02/2006 06:20:50 AM · #13

Thanks SJ for the encouraging feedback on my photobucket shots.

all the best for 2006

kirsty

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

01/02/2006 06:30:28 AM · #14

SJ - loved your series, and left comments on each for you.

missinseattle

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

01/02/2006 08:54:02 AM · #15

Thanks for the comments SJ!

That one you said had a calander feel is actually being blown up for a restaurant in that row of buildings. WHen I was down at the beach shooting he was just bringing his boat in and had seen me taking shots. Asked to see them. Really liked that one- even though it was REALLY overcast and dreary looking. I told him I'd be editing it and brightening it up quite a bit. He said he wanted to see it when I was done!
So we'll see what happens. WOuld be nice to go somewhere with all fo this. I don't think I'm that great, but even a little publicity would be nice. There's a coffee shop over there too so I'm thinking if I get to big prints and frame them I can take one there also.