How could this photo be improved/bettered?
Discussion
According to the EXIF, it was taken with 105mm, 1/1000s, f5. Not knowing what lens you actually used, it's difficult to say. But if you'd used longer focal length (and possibly larger aperture but not sure if the lens is capable of it), then you would've got better out-of-focus background and tighter framing. I think there's too much empty space in the foreground, so longer focal length would've got rid of it too. It would've probably looked slightly better at lower angle as well but I'm not sure if it was possible.
If you look at Dave's thread here > http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You'll kinda' see what can be done. Having the driver/rider in a shallow depth of field always helps. With go karts I think this means lying on the floor to get the shots!
You'll kinda' see what can be done. Having the driver/rider in a shallow depth of field always helps. With go karts I think this means lying on the floor to get the shots!
Grand Fromage said:
So, if I was to take and equivalent I would use a minolta 200 lens and crouch, focus sharp on the driver and have the rest out of focus? And have better light?
Yep.If you set to speed priority and make the shutter FAST (640th or quicker) the depth of field will be very narrow (depending on light)... and if you can place yourself where the background is a way off, then you'll 'isolate' the subject, making them look very sharp. It works with all sorts.
two of mine from the past couple of weeks using said method.
http://www.stevecarter.com/picaday/may12.jpg
http://www.stevecarter.com/picaday/may25.jpg
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 1st June 14:13
trackcar said:
tilting the camera at a rakish angle is a bit of a cliche but can make relatively mundane shots look quite impressive 
I do it a bit to make up for my lack of talent 
I'd prefer to be in the kart than taking the pics though
Please do not do this as it looks bloody awful the vast majority of the time. I do it a bit to make up for my lack of talent I'd prefer to be in the kart than taking the pics though
matthew_h said:
trackcar said:
tilting the camera at a rakish angle is a bit of a cliche but can make relatively mundane shots look quite impressive I do it a bit to make up for my lack of talent
I'd prefer to be in the kart than taking the pics though
Please do not do this as it looks bloody awful the vast majority of the time. I do it a bit to make up for my lack of talent I'd prefer to be in the kart than taking the pics though
Well here's my (quick) effort:
Very ham fisted photoshop which could be done with a fair bit more subtlety given more time - basically what has been suggested already, a tighter crop and tried to emulate a narrower depth of field by using some blur on all bar the kart, then some blending around the edge to give an impression of movement - oh and then the usual (for me) contrast boost
Very ham fisted photoshop which could be done with a fair bit more subtlety given more time - basically what has been suggested already, a tighter crop and tried to emulate a narrower depth of field by using some blur on all bar the kart, then some blending around the edge to give an impression of movement - oh and then the usual (for me) contrast boost
Grand Fromage said:
So, I didn't take this but was given it as it is my son in the pic, how could it be improved and if one was taking it again, what would one do differently? Ta,
Pick your shot better. Wait until he's clipping the kerb then either use a longer lens to isolate the subject better or crop the shot in PP a bit. Kerbs in shot = good, lots of empty tarmac= not so good 
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff