this time... (lots of images)
Discussion
... I'll pick pictures that mean a little less to me, but are possibly a little better photo wise and a little explanation as to why I like them :
The eye is drawn towards the horizontal bridge, but can extend towards the back, the sun lights up the stone. I wish the camera wasn't on the top however and the image picked up the base a little better.
I like the way the sun is shining through the unsighted gate, the wall is a stronger feature pulling the eye into the picture and the gate.
I like the water as it's nice and glassy, the ripples of the rock and the cloud in front of the sun. I also like the dark presense of hills in the background. The sun isn't defined, but I prefer it that way personally. I would have prefered the hills to be horizontal, I tried it again but it didn't come out as nice - I was too frightened for the camera next to the water.
I think this is an interesting grate, especially with the sun on both the grate and the stone.
This one I like because I think it has nice focus, an interesting subject but appreciate the foreground maybe a bit over-powering due to the colours and ultimately the focus I like.
This to me has an interesting perspective, and seems to bend up the picture. I like the focus and the scene.
I like the focus, the harsh backdrop to the soft flowers, the angle of looking up and the blurred flowers in the background.
I could tell you the settings, but to be honest I adjusted the focus manually and allowed the camera to get the settings automatically in most of the shots (I played with the ones of water and the like). I'm playing with composition and what the image looks like, I want to sort that before playing with settings to make the image slighty cooler.
I can only afford a Canon A70, so settings aren't available massively for me...
I think I should point out I don't try and sell pictures, I don't try and conform to any standards and usually I don't try and seek approval from anyone - I am my own person ultimately. It's just nice to share the images that make me happy with others. I don't ultimately care if you like them, I like them and thats what it's about.
The other thing about this is it gets me out of the house, into the car and out somewhere, gave me a reason to learn PHP, buy a domain and hosting (a first for me) and of course have me concentrate on something other than feeling poorly... most of the pictures on my site will mean little to you - that shot of Sadie for instance is a "poor" shot, but Sadie was silly enough to sit in the snow and wait while I was taking shots the other way, I didn't have time to compose the scene, get low down... she would have moved. It's a snap-shot of a moment, a moment which I loved, laughed and fought with the dog for been daft - that picture reminds me of that time.
If you have any comments, or ideas how I may improve the shots to make me happier or more impressed with the outcome please give say so, if not, I don't care - please keep your opinions to yourself. It upset me that someone could consider my hobby any pictures that mean a lot to me are "all terrible", "just terrible", to the extent I'm wondering if I'm actually who I thought I was not caring of other people's opinions. I don't want that again!
Oh, and the obligatory dog shot :
I'm including this because I love my dog and I like the lighting on her and view down onto her and the crisp expanse of snow ahead. So there!
The eye is drawn towards the horizontal bridge, but can extend towards the back, the sun lights up the stone. I wish the camera wasn't on the top however and the image picked up the base a little better.
I like the way the sun is shining through the unsighted gate, the wall is a stronger feature pulling the eye into the picture and the gate.
I like the water as it's nice and glassy, the ripples of the rock and the cloud in front of the sun. I also like the dark presense of hills in the background. The sun isn't defined, but I prefer it that way personally. I would have prefered the hills to be horizontal, I tried it again but it didn't come out as nice - I was too frightened for the camera next to the water.
I think this is an interesting grate, especially with the sun on both the grate and the stone.
This one I like because I think it has nice focus, an interesting subject but appreciate the foreground maybe a bit over-powering due to the colours and ultimately the focus I like.
This to me has an interesting perspective, and seems to bend up the picture. I like the focus and the scene.
I like the focus, the harsh backdrop to the soft flowers, the angle of looking up and the blurred flowers in the background.
I could tell you the settings, but to be honest I adjusted the focus manually and allowed the camera to get the settings automatically in most of the shots (I played with the ones of water and the like). I'm playing with composition and what the image looks like, I want to sort that before playing with settings to make the image slighty cooler.
I can only afford a Canon A70, so settings aren't available massively for me...
I think I should point out I don't try and sell pictures, I don't try and conform to any standards and usually I don't try and seek approval from anyone - I am my own person ultimately. It's just nice to share the images that make me happy with others. I don't ultimately care if you like them, I like them and thats what it's about.
The other thing about this is it gets me out of the house, into the car and out somewhere, gave me a reason to learn PHP, buy a domain and hosting (a first for me) and of course have me concentrate on something other than feeling poorly... most of the pictures on my site will mean little to you - that shot of Sadie for instance is a "poor" shot, but Sadie was silly enough to sit in the snow and wait while I was taking shots the other way, I didn't have time to compose the scene, get low down... she would have moved. It's a snap-shot of a moment, a moment which I loved, laughed and fought with the dog for been daft - that picture reminds me of that time.
If you have any comments, or ideas how I may improve the shots to make me happier or more impressed with the outcome please give say so, if not, I don't care - please keep your opinions to yourself. It upset me that someone could consider my hobby any pictures that mean a lot to me are "all terrible", "just terrible", to the extent I'm wondering if I'm actually who I thought I was not caring of other people's opinions. I don't want that again!
Oh, and the obligatory dog shot :
I'm including this because I love my dog and I like the lighting on her and view down onto her and the crisp expanse of snow ahead. So there!
They are all good IMHO and some excellent 
The best way to improve in any walk of life is practice
Thats one big advantage of digital over film,very low running costs so you can click away to your hearts content
My personal favs are the water shot(i fish )
and the breakwater shot which is a superb piccy
The best way to improve in any walk of life is practice
Thats one big advantage of digital over film,very low running costs so you can click away to your hearts content
My personal favs are the water shot(i fish )
and the breakwater shot which is a superb piccy
Pies, in the same situation at the resivoir what would you have taken (the breakwater shot), would you have spun round to get the sun glistening, or something?
I'm guessing a large as possible aperture and longer shutter speed is the order of the day? I also assuming spinning round so not looking directly at the sun would be ideal?
I like that shot as well, and plan to repeat it some day...
and you're not just saying they are good are you? Damnit, I'm not sure I believe people now
I'm guessing a large as possible aperture and longer shutter speed is the order of the day? I also assuming spinning round so not looking directly at the sun would be ideal?
I like that shot as well, and plan to repeat it some day...
and you're not just saying they are good are you? Damnit, I'm not sure I believe people now
I like them all, but i like the car and ladybird shots less than the rest.
Dont take offense at people not liking your shots though - you posted them on a board frequented by photographers, of varying abilities, and i assumed you were looking for constructive criticism in order to get other peoples opinions. If thats not the case, i apologise for airing my views - they were meant purely in order to offer you the benefit of my (very limited) experience.
Dave
Dont take offense at people not liking your shots though - you posted them on a board frequented by photographers, of varying abilities, and i assumed you were looking for constructive criticism in order to get other peoples opinions. If thats not the case, i apologise for airing my views - they were meant purely in order to offer you the benefit of my (very limited) experience.
Dave
Ditto...
Don't take everything to heart.
All I said is what I thought, and you did ask for opinions. I did however say that there were better photo's on the website. The ones posted above are definetly better (although still not keen on the ladybird & car photo).
As someone said on here (which stuck with me):
'everyone takes bad photos, the difference being a good photographer won't show you them' (or something along them lines).
Don't take everything to heart.
All I said is what I thought, and you did ask for opinions. I did however say that there were better photo's on the website. The ones posted above are definetly better (although still not keen on the ladybird & car photo).
As someone said on here (which stuck with me):
'everyone takes bad photos, the difference being a good photographer won't show you them' (or something along them lines).
I sisn't actually mean for the "samples" to be ripped apart like that, my hope was that people might pop across to my site and see the pictures there.
nvrmind, Dave no complaints what-so-ever about someone who says "I don't like that image, you could improve it by", it's a completely different matter so someone who says "just terrible" and leaves it at that.
nvrmind, Dave no complaints what-so-ever about someone who says "I don't like that image, you could improve it by", it's a completely different matter so someone who says "just terrible" and leaves it at that.
Echoing some of the other's thoughts... You have to have pretty thick skin to post images on this site and ask for criticism... PH'ers are very good at criticizing, but it isn't always constructive. You have to be able to deal with the negative comments if you are going to ask for people to comment.
That being said I think it is a great idea. As you say, it gives you an excuse to go drive around. It is only through practice that you improve. It is only by doing that you learn. Hopefully you don't get discouraged in the process. Isn't that what a "hobby" is anyway? Doing something you enjoy without necessarily trying to make a living at it or do it for the benefit of others?
(Oh, and which pictures did I personally like? I liked the water one too, and my least favorite was looking over the shoulder of the photographer at the car)
That being said I think it is a great idea. As you say, it gives you an excuse to go drive around. It is only through practice that you improve. It is only by doing that you learn. Hopefully you don't get discouraged in the process. Isn't that what a "hobby" is anyway? Doing something you enjoy without necessarily trying to make a living at it or do it for the benefit of others?
(Oh, and which pictures did I personally like? I liked the water one too, and my least favorite was looking over the shoulder of the photographer at the car)
Fair enough. I should point out that im by no means a pro - been taking piccies for about 18 months only.
I really think youd benefit from getting hold of a cheap manual SLR - ive got a Minolta X700 and the bodies sell on Ebay for about £50. All youd really need to get is a 28mm lens for landscapes, 70-210mm lens for general use and maybe a 50mm lens for portraits. For £150 youd probably set yourself up.
Beware though, its addictive - i totted up my kit the other day and how much it would cost to replace - i came up with £750. Ouch!
I really think youd benefit from getting hold of a cheap manual SLR - ive got a Minolta X700 and the bodies sell on Ebay for about £50. All youd really need to get is a 28mm lens for landscapes, 70-210mm lens for general use and maybe a 50mm lens for portraits. For £150 youd probably set yourself up.
Beware though, its addictive - i totted up my kit the other day and how much it would cost to replace - i came up with £750. Ouch!
I wouldn't mind an SLR, but the initial money outlay isn't really the problem, it's the development of the films.
The beauty of digital is I can snap away using 6 or 7 pictures for one scene using different settings and see what comes out - with 35mm I can't. My dad has a Nikon F70 I believe and he has this problem, at the resivoir I took around 80 shots of various things, under various settings and played. My dad took 2 or 3 due to the cost of developing them.
I'm waiting for digital SLR's to drop into my price range, but now I have the Canon I don't think I want to afford another camera just yet (still a student you see).
Ho Hum.
The beauty of digital is I can snap away using 6 or 7 pictures for one scene using different settings and see what comes out - with 35mm I can't. My dad has a Nikon F70 I believe and he has this problem, at the resivoir I took around 80 shots of various things, under various settings and played. My dad took 2 or 3 due to the cost of developing them.
I'm waiting for digital SLR's to drop into my price range, but now I have the Canon I don't think I want to afford another camera just yet (still a student you see).
Ho Hum.
gt5s_1985 said:
(Oh, and which pictures did I personally like? I liked the water one too, and my least favorite was looking over the shoulder of the photographer at the car)
May I ask why? I know the focus/colours are a bit off, but do you not like the actual scene or the picture?
I quite like it as it's a bit different and makes an interesting shot, but appreciate the capture of the scene isn't the best.
docevi1 said:
(Oh, and which pictures did I personally like? I liked the water one too, and my least favorite was looking over the shoulder of the photographer at the car)
May I ask why? I know the focus/colours are a bit off, but do you not like the actual scene or the picture?
I quite like it as it's a bit different and makes an interesting shot, but appreciate the capture of the scene isn't the best.
Not sure if I can be a lot of help here. Why don't I care for peas? Why don't I like rap music? Not sure why, it just is... Perhaps it was the angle of the shot? My impression was more that some guy stepped in front of you when you were trying to take the picture. Perhaps it is a question of proportion?
docevi1 said:
(Oh, and which pictures did I personally like? I liked the water one too, and my least favorite was looking over the shoulder of the photographer at the car)
May I ask why? I know the focus/colours are a bit off, but do you not like the actual scene or the picture?
I quite like it as it's a bit different and makes an interesting shot, but appreciate the capture of the scene isn't the best.
IMO the problem with that shot is just that theres no real focal point - its just a picture of a bloke taking a picture of a car. the colour are also a bit drab, but the above is the real problem.
re Digital vs Film. It can get expensive, but not awfully so. I quite often shoot a whole film just of one thing - film is very cheap, its just developing and if you get it done on 3 day developing its only about a fiver. I always get my shots done 7x5 though as you lose stacks of detail in 6x4.
www.7dayshop.com - i buy 20rolls of Fuji Superia for £24 - cheap as chips.
If you switch to a film SLR youll learn more, produce better photos and ultimately get into proper photography as opposed to snapshots.
I think (for me) the problem with both the car photo & the ladybird photo is that you are instantly drawn away from the main subject.
In the case of the car, you are instantly drawn to the person.
And in the ladybird photo, you have focused in the centre of the photo whereas surely it would have been far better focusing on the ladybird itself.
In the case of the car, you are instantly drawn to the person.
And in the ladybird photo, you have focused in the centre of the photo whereas surely it would have been far better focusing on the ladybird itself.
If the pics had names it would be easier to comment.. but here goes:
Best: Grating. Striking, good colours and composition, interesting shot.
Runner up: Grape hyacinth, but the fence panels, whilsty out of focus, still detract from the shot. I can see you like close-up and wide angle: try fill-in flash to make the background go dark. eg
(nb this was taken with mid-range digital compact)
Almost: Ladybird. But the ladybird is out of focus!
Almost: Gateway and road: Great as far as it goes but I think it needs a subject, eg pedestrian, in the road a way off to give a point of interest.
Forget it: Your dog! Try getting down to dog-level and use a long lens to capture expression. The perfect pet shot is very hard to capture.
I like the way you try different things and analyse why it does or doesn't work. If you're a novice photographer you've already gone further than most people do in a lifetime.
Best: Grating. Striking, good colours and composition, interesting shot.
Runner up: Grape hyacinth, but the fence panels, whilsty out of focus, still detract from the shot. I can see you like close-up and wide angle: try fill-in flash to make the background go dark. eg
(nb this was taken with mid-range digital compact)
Almost: Ladybird. But the ladybird is out of focus!
Almost: Gateway and road: Great as far as it goes but I think it needs a subject, eg pedestrian, in the road a way off to give a point of interest.
Forget it: Your dog! Try getting down to dog-level and use a long lens to capture expression. The perfect pet shot is very hard to capture.
I like the way you try different things and analyse why it does or doesn't work. If you're a novice photographer you've already gone further than most people do in a lifetime.
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