A Beginner in the Photo world What do you Think

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

09/30/2004 04:04:49 PM · #1

I HAVE REMOVED THE POHTOS FROM THIS PAGE
THE CRITISISMS STARTED BECOMEING ABOUT WHAT I SAID AND NOT ABOUT THE PHOTOS. I ALSO REALIZED THAT I NEED TO PARACTICE MUCH MORE BEFORE I POST ANYMORE PHOTOS ON THIS SITE. SO I AM REMOVING EVERYTHING SO MY NAME DOES NOT BECOME TAINTED MORE THAN IT ALREADY HAS. I AM STARTIMG TO BE TOLD WHAT A BAD SPORT I AM OVER AND OVER. ITS REALLY, ALONG WITH MY PHOTOS, JUST EMBARRASING
THANKS
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE

Message edited by author 2004-10-01 10:57:05.

mrsamsa

Nikon D300s

09/30/2004 04:21:52 PM · #2

i think your stuff is good at least as much as i've seen. enter more, keep shooting, this site is a great place for photographers. and so much fun.

Sonifo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

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

09/30/2004 04:31:15 PM · #3

Why use the lamp as the subject? It is neat but you need something more creative.

The little girl is beautiful! I like the b/w to. Maybe a bit to soft.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/30/2004 04:42:43 PM · #4

don't know what to tell you...I know your looking for a pat on the back, but since you ask:

The first one: is very much out of focus, I hope you noticed that, the composition is not very strong, your subject is missing an arm and dead center.

The second one: the idea is cool, the composition is ok BUT the image is very noisy, the white balance is totaly off and since your trying to do a tunnel shot, the tunnel should be fairly in focus..obviously the DOF is way to shallow.

what is perplexing is that you see these shots as "pretty neat" so it this critique migh come as a bit of a shock....

Don't worry too much, it's all about practice.

Message edited by author 2004-09-30 16:46:21.

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

09/30/2004 04:45:37 PM · #5

I think I've seen those pictures about 18 times on 18 different threads in the last few hours!

...but the photo of the girl is very nice!

09/30/2004 04:46:52 PM · #6

Originally posted by thatcloudthere:

I think I've seen those pictures about 18 times on 18 different threads in the last few hours!

...but the photo of the girl is very nice!

taking full advantage of the "guest pass" !

09/30/2004 05:51:53 PM · #7

Originally posted by thatcloudthere:

I think I've seen those pictures about 18 times on 18 different threads in the last few hours!

...but the photo of the girl is very nice!

(out of respect to the eyes of the users, i believe i have removed all my photos, sorry i will only leave this post for now)

well like i said at the beginning i posted on other sites but got no reply, i was trying really to figure out how to post my photos, more practicing than anything. but i was wanting to see what some professionals think since i am too shy to really even tell people i want to become a photographer let alone show them my photos for fear i may be completely humiliated
i just wanted to see if i should even continue trying.
i do appreciate the honesty and all but the one person who posted (gil p) said it may come as a shock that they didnt like my photos and found a millioin things wrong with them. in my defense, i had no expectations of anyone saying i was a "genious" they were just pictures i took around the house in the first day i bought my digital camera.
i admitted that i know nothing and you made me feel like a moron because i said i thought the photos were neat. i didnt want the one of the lamp to be in focus, it was done through a paper towel role. it wouldnt have been very flattering.i didnt put hours of thought into these. like i said i do appreciate your honest, i just didnt realize it would be so brutal. or i think i would have kept it to myself.

Message edited by author 2004-10-01 10:18:44.

09/30/2004 06:10:24 PM · #8

riotspyne, imho the first step in becoming a better fotog is putting your pictures up for critique/comment. I hovered around this forum for a while and left for a couple of months before showing my first picture. I must say its great to have someone say "hey, your picture rocks" but only if it truly rocks and you don't learn much from that!

One thing I have learnt here is that nomatter how great the shot not everybody will see it in the light you do. Gil_P may seem harsh (and I thought so at first) but after the blood has finished curdling go back and revisit the comment and picture and you will see what she meant, she is not brutal but honest and I applaud her for saying what many think - you'll learn nothing if everybody says how great your shots are.

As a fellow newbie I'd say that the first pic is nice but with portraits I really think you need to show the eyes and agree that whilst the second pic is a good idea it is more of a snap than a good photograph.

I'll end by saying wait till your first challenge entry and see the 1 vote go by, I still think its personal and it makes me angry for a few moments. You asked for comments and you received them from (very) decent fotogs, consider that a free tutorial :)

I'm here to learn and if means my pictures sometimes get heavily critiqued I take a deep breath and consider it a positive comment - who said learning was easy?

09/30/2004 06:18:49 PM · #9

well i completely agree with that ( ecce), and trust me i was hoping for negative as well as the positive, but it is not at all what was said really but HOW. i hate to look like a sensitive whiney baby who cant take critisism, but i just feel people can always be a little meaner that they shoud to make themselves look smarter and play off others humility.

Message edited by author 2004-09-30 18:24:51.

09/30/2004 06:46:20 PM · #10

Katrina, gills post has been edited but there is nothing in her current post that is bad (if that is the one you are referring to?) Unfortunately the typed critique can be cold and without meaning/emotion. I (for one) have posted pictures here for critique and when I see 60 views without a reply I take it to be because the picture is c**p but this is not always the case.

Unless somebody comes out and says you are c**p and you should sell your cam (which I doubt) use the expertise and information that is freely given and learn from it. Using gil_P as an example, she has no ribbons (yet) but you have to admit her portfolio has exellent pictures, I for one would like to be able to get the same clarity and feeling in my shots (though I like to think I have a few decent pics in my port).

Your thread title was 'A Beginner in the the photo world...' I think you have come to the right place, start playing with the big boys :)

Edated kos ofe my speile checker

Message edited by author 2004-09-30 18:49:35.

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

09/30/2004 06:55:26 PM · #11

ok thanks

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

09/30/2004 06:58:05 PM · #12

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

Using gil_P as an example, she has no ribbons (yet) but you have to admit her portfolio has exellent pictures, I for one would like to be able to get the same clarity and feeling in my shots (though I like to think I have a few decent pics in my port).

Gil is a guy by the way :P

09/30/2004 07:02:52 PM · #13

riot, I really did not mean to offend, the idea was to be direct and to the point, I just did not want to write 600words to say what can be said in 200.

that's why I said that I hoped it was not too much of a shock, since you considered them "neat" you probably did not expect the comment..One thing I want to point out, it's not at all the subject matter that I comment on. I comment on the Technique only...so that's nothing personal but just technical. if you re-read my post, you'll notice that I really took the time to look at your pics and to analyse them technically.

Since you asked for a critique, and was hoping to get some comments from more experienced shooters, I offered.

P.s. Ecce.... I am a male!!!

09/30/2004 07:03:03 PM · #14

Originally posted by Konador:

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
Using gil_P as an example, she has no ribbons (yet) but you have to admit her portfolio has exellent pictures, I for one would like to be able to get the same clarity and feeling in my shots (though I like to think I have a few decent pics in my port).

Gil is a guy by the way :P

A thousand pardons Gil (I don't like your work so much now)

*wanders off to see what other holes he can dig himself*

09/30/2004 07:04:07 PM · #15

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

Originally posted by Konador:

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
Using gil_P as an example, she has no ribbons (yet) but you have to admit her portfolio has exellent pictures, I for one would like to be able to get the same clarity and feeling in my shots (though I like to think I have a few decent pics in my port).

Gil is a guy by the way :P

A thousand pardons Gil (I don't like your work so much now)

*wanders off to see what other holes he can dig himself*

hey no worry! Gil is a girls name I know... But us French Canadians are a bit different!!

09/30/2004 07:07:21 PM · #16

thanks gil, you do have some amazing photos.
that i can say for sure

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

09/30/2004 07:10:52 PM · #17

Originally posted by riotspyne:

thanks gil, you do have some amazing photos.
that i can say for sure

I'll let you in on a secret...I had never taken a shot prior 1995, and from 1995 to 2000, I had a Epson 1mb P&S... from 2000 to 2003, I had a Sony P&S.... So really, don't give up, don't get depressed from harsh comments, don't, don't ,don't.... I had Dr.Jones as a mentor..and he really could be very rough at times...but it helped me beyond anything I could have hoped.

longlivenyhc

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

09/30/2004 07:14:43 PM · #18

Originally posted by Gil P:

Gil is a girls name I know... But us French Canadians are a bit different!!

gil is a girls name? never heard that before, isnt it short for gilbert?

09/30/2004 07:15:56 PM · #19

Originally posted by Gil P:

hey no worry! Gil is a girls name I know... But us French Canadians are a bit different!!

hehe, When I first worked with computers, maybe 20 years ago my first password was AND123 and for some reason peeps thought I was ANDI not Andrew, it sort of stuck and has been my 'web' name ever since. My only worry is that now I'm that little bit older ;) its harder to explain that my membership certificate of the Institute of Personnel and Development is real (and it was 3 years worth of study).

PhilipDyer

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/30/2004 07:53:31 PM · #20

Hi Katrina,

As you have found out, part of being a member of a group that critiques each other's work is being able to look past the way that something is said in order to find what is useful about the feedback. Gil is a good photographer and his comments are essentially correct, so it's great that he was able to offer you so many suggestions for improvement. Of course, I never would have made those comments in the way that he did, but it's nice that he took the time to give useful feedback.

This is a great site for beginning photographers to learn the basics of photography and the vast majority of the members here are really helpful and encouraging. Even if the some of the members might not be particularly encouraging, I believe that they are all helpful if you read their comments looking only for what can help you become a better photographer.

Stick with it, Katrina. You have a new camera and found a great site to help you figure out how to use it. Good luck!

Fibonacci

Fujifilm FinePix S7000

09/30/2004 09:19:25 PM · #21

Hi Katrina.

Take a look at my portfolio if you want to. It's full of photos that only I could love...not a "good" photo to be found there. But I love them all!!!

The camera is a machine, it is blind and it is dumb. YOU are the eye and the heart of your images.

The experts here will teach you the technical vocabulary, the means to express your thoughts and emotions through learned techniques and skills. Learn the language from them.

Anyone who is prepared to take the time to comment on your photographs is displaying a generous concern for you and is making an effort to encourage your development. Honest critical appraisals are the most valuable of all. If you want flattery, this is the wrong place to come. If you want to improve, there is nowhere better.

This is a great site, full of skilled and intelligent photographers. And me

Message edited by author 2004-09-30 21:21:26.

Fibonacci

Fujifilm FinePix S7000

10/01/2004 07:05:23 AM · #22

Katrina

This is my impression of your first image. I hope that you like it. If you don't, please let me know and I will remove it.

I post this in order to illustrate my point that we all see images differently and that people who are willing to share their views will learn from each other.

I do hope that we haven't discouraged you.

Bob

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

10/01/2004 07:23:51 AM · #23

If you're honestly looking to improve and to learn as much as you can then the very first step is to learn how to take criticism without getting defensive or upset.

Being honest and direct about what someone doesn't like or sees as wrong within your image does not mean they are being mean.

Provided they are not being insulting about you personally or using inappropriate language, it is likely that people are trying to help not to be rude.

Don't forget that all those who take the time to look at these images you have posted and to make a comment on them are doing you a favour - to be nice. They may have only a few moments spare in which they can do this for you but if you expect everything to be sugar coated and they have to tread on eggshells in terms of how they express themselves they are more likely to decide to simply not bother commenting on your stuff in the future.

Learning how to accept honest and well-intended criticism is one of the most important steps to improving.

Edit to correct typos.

Message edited by author 2004-10-01 07:31:59.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

10/01/2004 07:30:12 AM · #24

In giving you my own feedback on your images I am in agreement with Gil.

The content is the first image is captivating - a beautiful model with a sweet expression.

However, the focus isn't sharp enough for my preferences. The composition is weak (everything that's included in the frame and excluded from the frame should be included or excluded in order to add impact to the image). As has been said the point at which her arms have been cropped out seems very random. The amount of background included also seems random. The portrait could also be improved by giving lighting more thought - a catchlight (reflection of the light source) in her eyes would add sparkle and detail.

In terms of the second image, I'd say that the creative idea behind it is of interest but the execution isn't strong. Firstly, if I were seeing the light at the end of a tunnel I'd hope for something a little more other-worldly than a rather ordinary house lamp. Think about other ways you could provide that light - a torch shone through a glass paperweight or through a coloured glass bottle, bottom towards the camera? I don't mind the tunnel being out of focus. I don't like the composition much - the position of the end of the tunnel within the frame of the picture.