Comments.. plz.. - DPChallenge Forums

07/06/2005 11:40:40 AM · #1

Each week it is frustrating having your photo not get a score you feel its worth.. Don't expect 10s but seems like I can never get over a 5.X, but I know I take good photos. (Maybe I don't.. see the challenge is chipping away at me haha)

So I want to post a couple shots I think are above average and see if they are crap after all ;)

Thanks for comments.. Just trying to get better.
Sunset
Bridge at dusk
Garlic
Vineyard
Almost a Zebra
Man on Wheels
Eggs
Carnival
Madrid

07/06/2005 12:02:34 PM · #2

I have the same problem as you. Sometimes I can't even break 5!! That said, I have a couple observations:

I looked at all your photos, and none of them are "crap". If there was one thing that I noticed, it would be that none of the shots are taken from a particularly interesting angle/vantagepoint. They all seem to be taken at head height while standing.

The "Eggs" photo really seemed to be trying to take in too many things. I think it would look better if you framed/focused something a little more specific. As it is, there is just too much to look at and you come away not really knowing what the picture is about.

"Madrid" would have looked a lot better shot vertically, IMHO. I kept waiting for the "rest of the image" and it never came. Shooting vertically and would further focus the eye on the walls (on the side) moving into the distance. I also think including the ground a little bit would give an "anchor" something to give the viewer perspective. The sky doesn't work quite as well.

All said and done, none of your photos are "crap" as you put it. They just need a little spice.

Would you care to return the favor and comment on a few of mine? I could also use the help. The two below would be fine, or just go to my profile.

07/06/2005 12:24:17 PM · #3

Thank You.
You have a very keen eye. I am conscience also that alot of my shots look as Im standing. Im quite tall so even when I am bent down or on my knees I am still pretty level with my subjects ;)

I appreciate your comment. Those shots werent the ones I cherish either, they were some above average ones I had in a small enough format to post up..

Now to return the favor.
I really like the flower shot, I sometimes feel the greying out the non subject is a little overdone, cliche as so many people do it, but the way you did it works. I can see why.. as if it were all color or grey I might have not focused directly on the flower.

The second one I think would be better without the border. Or if you were to keep the border I would have snipped more off at the bottom to remove the concrete in the lower right hand, also would have snipped more off the top to make it appear the top of the down wasnt lost in the shot.

The Byno

Kodak CX4230

07/06/2005 12:43:24 PM · #4

Madrid was my favorite. I love it, it's great. Seeing the building turn away from you was cool. Good Shot. The rest of your pictures seem to have too much "stuff" in them. Focus on one object and make it dramatic.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/06/2005 01:00:07 PM · #5

Can you give me an example Byno?
I see the point on the eggs photo. very busy.

But for example on the Dancer.jpg.. How could I focus anymore on him without zooming onto his nose?

Thanks for your tips

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

07/06/2005 01:02:33 PM · #6

Originally posted by jseyerle:

The background is very busy and a bit distracting. To eliminate (or reduce) the distraction use a shallower DOF. This would blur the background more and isolate the dancer better.

07/06/2005 01:06:26 PM · #7

I removed the border on the "Lillies" photo, as you suggested. Take a look again and tell me if you like the change (I do):

If you still see the frame, do a refresh on your browser.

07/06/2005 01:09:24 PM · #8

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

The background is very busy and a bit distracting. To eliminate (or reduce) the distraction use a shallower DOF. This would blur the background more and isolate the dancer better.

Agreed. Especially the guys on the left. They really detract from teh photo. The girl, on the other hand - at first glance, the dancer's arm appears to blend in with where her "torso" would be, giving the first impression that she is quite naked and barely covered by the dancer. Only at second glance did I realize I was being tricked by the dancer's arm. I'd leave her in, but the trees and the guys on the left could go.

07/06/2005 01:10:16 PM · #9

cpanaioti,
Do you mean like this..
Dancer with shallower DOF

Message edited by author 2005-07-06 13:26:17.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/06/2005 01:11:54 PM · #10

I removed the border on the "Lillies" photo, as you suggested. Take a look again and tell me if you like the change (I do): text

AboutImage, I like it much more now!

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

07/06/2005 01:16:10 PM · #11

Originally posted by jseyerle:

cpanaioti,
Do you mean like this..

Yes. I think you could even go shallower on the DOF than that.

Also, the image you posted is rather large for the forum. Just use a link.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/06/2005 01:23:09 PM · #12

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

Originally posted by jseyerle:
cpanaioti,
Do you mean like this..

Yes. I think you could even go shallower on the DOF than that.

Also, the image you posted is rather large for the forum. Just use a link.

Ok.. even more shallow..

PS
That is a link..
When you chose the Insert Image isnt it reading it from a remote site or it is copying it from the remote side and hosting it local?

art-inept

Olympus C-5060WZ

Canon EF 35mm f/2.0

07/06/2005 01:28:32 PM · #13

Originally posted by aboutimage:

If there was one thing that I noticed, it would be that none of the shots are taken from a particularly interesting angle/vantagepoint. They all seem to be taken at head height while standing.

i agree, in the voting prcoess i often see these head-on shots. i've thought about it and maybe a good way to remedy this is to take one lens with you when you go, not your normal focal length lens like a 24-80 whatever but like a wide or super wide. that'll force you to achieve a different perspective to get the subject within the frame. :)

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

07/06/2005 01:32:47 PM · #14

Originally posted by jseyerle:

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

Originally posted by jseyerle:
cpanaioti,
Do you mean like this..

Yes. I think you could even go shallower on the DOF than that.

Also, the image you posted is rather large for the forum. Just use a link.

Ok.. even more shallow..

PS
That is a link..
When you chose the Insert Image isnt it reading it from a remote site or it is copying it from the remote side and hosting it local?

With img tags around it the picture is downloaded when the forum is accessed. Very slow on some connections. It's still hosted elsewhere but is still downloaded with the forum page.

07/06/2005 01:33:41 PM · #15

Originally posted by jseyerle:

[quote=cpanaioti] [quote=jseyerle] cpanaioti,
Do you mean like this..

Yes. I think you could even go shallower on the DOF than that.

I had a look at the image details. I had camera on AFocus and it took it at f5.6. My lense can go down to f4.0. So maybe I need to no use AF. I notice the lense puts alot of my photos at f5.6.

Good excuse to get that 70-200 f4 lense or maybe a faster prime lense.. say a 2.8 60mm??