Some random photos
Discussion
I'm not usually 'in to' photography but I've been taking a few pictures recently and thought I might post them up to get some feedback. I realise none of them are of the sort of standard you usually see here but I'd appreciate some thoughts on what I could have done better, either when taking them or when editing them.
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A bit clichéd I know. The guy's actually holding a fishing rod but you can't see it which probably spoils it a bit. Also, I'm aware that the shrubbery in the foreground is distracting.
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Should have got the shadow in frame I know. I think the road was actually on a gradient; would it be better to tilt the photo though?
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Maybe a bit spoiled by one of the signs being obscured and the 'Cornwall' bit not being head on? I've removed a signpost from across the road; should I get rid of the other one?
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Played around with the colours on this one because I thought it looked a bit washed out but I'm not sure if I did a particularly good job of it. Original below
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1
2
A bit clichéd I know. The guy's actually holding a fishing rod but you can't see it which probably spoils it a bit. Also, I'm aware that the shrubbery in the foreground is distracting.
3
Should have got the shadow in frame I know. I think the road was actually on a gradient; would it be better to tilt the photo though?
4
Maybe a bit spoiled by one of the signs being obscured and the 'Cornwall' bit not being head on? I've removed a signpost from across the road; should I get rid of the other one?
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6
Played around with the colours on this one because I thought it looked a bit washed out but I'm not sure if I did a particularly good job of it. Original below
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Sam - my opinion is that of a rank amateur, but for what it's worth;
I like the sign-post, but wonder if it might be improved with a bit more contrast? I guess you'd have to have a play and see. If you can get rid of the other signpost, I would. The sign-post looks old fashioned and the other one leaches that.
I love the one of the coast. I like the muted colours, Cornwall is one of my favourite places and that really captures the wild coastline. For me, the balance of sea, coast and sky works. How about cropping the bottom of the pic to get rid of that bit of foreground?
I agree, tweaking the colours on the car pic has improved it.
The last one. Someone once tried to explain this to me and I tried to do it and failed, but its something to do with panning with the moving object so that the background is blurry and the object of your focus is clear. Not much use and hopefully one of the experienced members will understand what I'm on about and explain it properly!
I like the sign-post, but wonder if it might be improved with a bit more contrast? I guess you'd have to have a play and see. If you can get rid of the other signpost, I would. The sign-post looks old fashioned and the other one leaches that.
I love the one of the coast. I like the muted colours, Cornwall is one of my favourite places and that really captures the wild coastline. For me, the balance of sea, coast and sky works. How about cropping the bottom of the pic to get rid of that bit of foreground?
I agree, tweaking the colours on the car pic has improved it.
The last one. Someone once tried to explain this to me and I tried to do it and failed, but its something to do with panning with the moving object so that the background is blurry and the object of your focus is clear. Not much use and hopefully one of the experienced members will understand what I'm on about and explain it properly!
Thanks for the comments. Tried what you suggested with the signpost. Think it's an improvement:
I agree about cropping the foreground out of the coast one as well. Re. the last photo: I was actually trying to be a bit arty-farty by having the car blurred but the foreground and background in focus. Maybe it didn't work as I intended.
I agree about cropping the foreground out of the coast one as well. Re. the last photo: I was actually trying to be a bit arty-farty by having the car blurred but the foreground and background in focus. Maybe it didn't work as I intended.
Hi Sam - I think you're asking the right kind of questions and you're certainly thinking about your pictures.
Try the adjustments you're wondering about and see which version you prefer - trying new things and deciding whether you like them or not is the way you'll develop a style of your own.
Just try not to be too hard on yourself - it is supposed to be fun, after all.
Try the adjustments you're wondering about and see which version you prefer - trying new things and deciding whether you like them or not is the way you'll develop a style of your own.
Just try not to be too hard on yourself - it is supposed to be fun, after all.
SamHH said:
Yeah it does look a bit like he's relieving himself doesn't it. Could you tell me exactly what you changed to make it look like that?
First question is, have you any photo imaging software like Photoshop Elements, or PaintShop Pro? If not, not a problem as Google do an imaging program called Picasa, which is available as a free download. Little bit limited but it get you into the world of improving your images.For your pic, I used Elements - I cropped it, then saturated the colours (under LAYER - NEW ADJUSTMENT LAYER - HUE/SATURATION), and then adjusted the shadows/highlights ( under ENHANCE - ADJUST LIGHTING - SHADOWS/HIGHLIGHTS ). Took about a minute!
You can get a 30 day trial of Elements 6 (the current one) here:
http://www.download.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements/3...
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